Local Favorites Abound at Ho Ho

Chinese food is the ultimate cuisine around which to gather. Its traditional family style portions allow and encourage each member at the table to pick a favorite and share it with their fellow diners, making for the ultimate mixed plate.

At Ho Ho Chinese Cuisine in Kapolei, authentic Chinese food is merged with local-style preparation, and customers can choose from numerous selections served up on the all-you-can-eat buffet, or order specific favorites a la carte. The eatery, which gets its name from the Cantonese phrase for “very good,” or “nice,” is well known for its salt and pepper shrimp and crab legs. According to owner Crystal Chan, the recipe consists of a signature blend of spices and seasonings that are infused with the succulent seafood as it is deep fried to crispy perfection.

“It’s been the most popular since we opened in 2004,” says Chan of the salt–and-pepper style that also incorporates garlic and other flavorful accents surrounding the deep-fried delicacies. “The customers like it very much, they don’t want us to change!”

The shrimp and crab headline Ho Ho’s dinner buffet, which gets under way nightly at 5 p.m. The spread features a wide range of selections including the extremely popular Fried Chicken Wings, Walnut Shrimp and Steamed Sea Bass with Ginger Onion and Soy Sauce, and is priced at an economical $15.95 Monday through Thursday nights, and $17.95 Friday through Sunday evenings. Additionally, selected items are available on Ho Ho’s lunch buffet that is served from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, and is light on the wallet at just $9.50 Monday through Friday, and $10.95 on weekends.

“The price is a very good deal,” says Chan, who notes that the recent economic downturn has been hard on the local community. Despite the increases in food cost because of a host of uncontrollable factors, Ho Ho’s prices have remained constant, and Chan’s loyal customers keep coming back for more. “We combine local touches with traditional Hong Kong-style cooking to keep a unique touch on our recipes.”

Ho Ho’s also offers a full a la carte menu, with favorites from the buffet as well as a host of other dishes including everything from Roasted Duck ($9.95 half, $19.95 whole) to an assortment of noodle plates such as the Mixed Seafood Chow Min with Vegetables ($8.95) and Oyster Sauce Chicken Chow Mein ($7.50). Chan encourages customers to call ahead for large party reservations as special group discounts are available for the buffet and individual dishes. Ho Ho’s buffet makes it easy for groups, as the food stays hot and fresh as diners arrive in waves — the perfect solution for that favorite cousin who operates on Hawaiian Time.

The buffet also is discounted accordingly for children based on their height, and children younger than 3 years old eat for free.

And, for those looking for a quick bite in the morning, Ho Ho’s opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. Sundays, and offers an assortment of freshly-made Manapua. The eatery serves up both Baked ($1.35) and Steamed ($1.25) Manapua, and also offers local favorites including shrimp dumplings, pork hash and half moons. Call 692-9880 to order custom manapua packages, or to inquire about reservations for upcoming special events.

Ho Ho Chinese Cuisine