Escape to a world of Chinese fare

If you haven’t done so already, it’s worthwhile to join the throngs of patrons dining at Seafood Village. Located in Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue, the eatery exemplifies the thrill of Oahu’s resort hub, with personable service, an ornate ambiance and a dynamic menu of Chinese fare.

It’s no surprise the convenient locale has made Seafood Village the ultimate destination for hungry tourists, but lesser known is the fact that schools of locals also have been filling up its tables and private dining rooms. This is, in part, because residents don’t have to worry about the parking hassle or high prices usually associated with venturing into Waikiki. Validated parking is available in the Hyatt structure situated across the street from the hotel on Uluniu Avenue, while a remarkable kamaaina discount presents 20 percent off lunch and 15 percent off dinner (for regular priced items; with valid ID). With that taken care of, all that’s left to do is drive into a mini vacation, complete with a getaway just for your taste buds.

What keeps both locals and tourists coming back for more is Seafood Village’s well-rounded dining experience. It starts with a fantastic menu focused on traditional Cantonese cuisine, which the restaurant has been perfecting since it opened in 1995. The menu also expresses a wide scope of Chinese fare, painting a picture of numerous areas through regional specialties, with Szechuan sensations or Beijing-born Peking Duck.

Pork Chop in Chef’s Special Vinaigrette ($19.95) presents one such regional dish originating from Zhenjiang, a city on the East Coast of China. The area is known for producing fragrant black vinegar, which is used to give the pork chops their distinct richness. A trio of sweet, savory and sour flavors permeate each bite.

Staying true to the Cantonese roots of the restaurant, a full dim sum menu is served daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The establishment also offers a Dim Sum Sampler ($17) as a treat for those who just can’t get enough of these dumpling delights.

“This dish is for dim sum lovers,” says manager Yao Ming Guan. “Normally we serve dim sum at lunch time only, but at nighttime, some people still wanted it, so we created a combination of four different types of dim sum, so they can taste a little bit of everything.” Classics of shu mai (pork hash) and shrimp dumplings are always nestled in the charming bamboo basket, while a few other rotating selections round out the sampler.

As its name suggests, Seafood Village is ready to enhance every family-style meal with an abundance of ocean-sourced goodies. Fresh Scallops with Black Bean Sauce ($22.95) does this marvelously with onions, bell peppers and seafood.

“We put this one on a hot iron platter, and when it’s served, it’s still sizzling on the plate,” explains Guan.

With that, a diverse taste of China, complete with dishes for every craving, is as easy as one passport-free trip to Seafood Village in Waikiki.

Seafood Village Chinese Cuisine

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa
2424 Kalakaua Ave. #103, Waikiki
971-1818
Lunch: 11 a.m.2 p.m., Dinner: 5–10 p.m.
Note: $3 validated self-parking and $4 valet parking at the Hyatt.