Local Favorite Ensures Every Day is a Nice Day

As Chinese New Year approaches and many in the Islands prepare for various celebrations Friday, one of Honolulu’s favorite Chinese restaurants is poised to ring in another year of pleasing local diners.

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant serves up more than 160 intriguing a la carte selections, including sizzling plates, appetizers, soups, seafood, pork, beef, poultry, vegetable and rice dishes. Additionally, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, diners may delve into a host of dim sum selections that are prepared fresh every morning and served tableside, by Nice Day’s friendly staff.

Like its sister restaurant Happy Day Chinese Restaurant in Kaimuki, Nice Day continues to please multiple generations of diners under the guidance of co-owners Lisa Lum and Sang Chan. Nice Day’s convenient Liliha Street locale is situated just minutes away from the heart of downtown Honolulu and the adjacent Chinatown area, and has treated customers to delicious Cantonese-style Chinese cuisine since opening its doors in 2008. The restaurant features a warm, inviting atmosphere and is adorned with a host of large, red lanterns in place to bring both customers and staff good luck.

“We use healthy vegetable oil in our cooking, and also incorporate more vegetables in our recipes for customers to enjoy,” says Shirley Cheng, manager at Nice Day. “I always overhear customers saying how much they enjoy our food, and they keep coming back.”

Just in time for Chinese New Year celebrations, Nice Day offers Law Hon Jai ($10.95), a celebratory mixture of long rice noodles, tofu, mushrooms and a host of fresh vegetables. Cheng explains that the dish is available year-round, but that many diners enjoy Jai during Chinese New Year as a means of bestowing good luck upon their friends and families. She also reminds customers to make reservations for tables of up to 10 people as soon as possible for Friday’s celebration, as space is filling up quickly.

“For Chinese New Year, we’re adding even more vegetables to our Jai so customers can enjoy it and have good luck!” Cheng says.

Customers rave about Mushrooms with Vegetable Chow Mein ($9.95), a healthy favorite, which features a bed of delicious noodles topped with a zesty sauce. Cheng explains that the Hong Kong-style noodle dish is healthier than cake noodle or similar dishes, as Nice Day’s version incorporates a plethora of fresh vegetables, and is cooked in less oil, resulting in crispy noodles.

Those interested in stellar seafood are encouraged to try Garlic Golden Shrimp ($14.95), Nice Day’s own version of the popular “North Shore-style” dish featuring plump, juicy shrimp in a finger-licking garlic sauce that adds flavor without overpowering the fresh morsels. Cheng also recommends Chinese Broccoli with Dried Fish ($10.95), as the refreshing greens are topped with crispy dried fish that is rotated based on seasonal availability and freshness.

In following a popular Chinese style of seasoning and preparation, Nice Day also offers Salt and Pepper Pork Chops ($10.95). The plentiful portion of tender pork is lightly fried to lock in the simple yet tantalizing flavor combination that permeates each bite.

Diners may also enjoy Nice Day’s morning special available daily from 8 to 11 a.m. The special selection includes a choice of Spareribs or Chicken atop steamed rice for only $5.50.

An ample supply of free parking is available in Nice Day’s mostly covered and secure lot, which is accessible from both Liliha and Beretania streets. Stop in to see why so many diners keep coming back to partake in the Nice Day experience.

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant

Liliha Square
1425 Liliha St., Spaces #2-5, Honolulu
524-1628
Daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.