Happy Days Chinese Restaurant

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S HOUSE SPECIAL: CHICKEN CHOP SUEY ($10)

There are many reasons to smile at Happy Days Chinese Restaurant in Kaimuki. Renowned for its Hong Kong-style cuisine and friendly service, this award-winning establishment takes home the prize for its assortment of dishes and ever-popular dim sum selection. Restaurant owner Lisa Lum welcomes patrons into the spacious dining area, where family-style dining is encouraged. “The goal is to make people happy,” Lum says. “So, we cater to our customers as much as possible.”

Let’s get into the meat of it all, as boneless chicken breast is cooked for 10 minutes to attain ultimate tenderness. “We cook the chicken first, and then we add the other ingredients.”

As an added bonus, dim sum is available daily. From 8 to 11:30 a.m., patrons receive a 15 percent discount, when paying with cash, and a 10 percent discount when paying with credit card.

“We will customize the dish to a customer’s liking. We can use beef, pork or shrimp in place of chicken. Or you can ask for no meat at all, and we will make it with all vegetables,” says owner Lisa Lum.

Come on, get happy! A handful of customers requested Chicken Chop Suey, and as a result, it became a coveted offthe-menu item earlier this year. Just ask for it upon your next visit!

A splash of garlic sauce and a dollop of oyster sauce intensifies the flavor. Sprinkles of chicken powder, salt and pepper are included into the mix, as well. “It’s best when eaten with rice, that way all the flavors and sauce soak into the grains,” Lum explains.

“Chicken Chop Suey is stir-fried in a big wok, and that’s very important, because wok-frying impacts the overall taste in a good way. The flames really heat up!”

Made to order, the dish is enhanced with a colorful medley of vegetables, including bean sprouts, carrots, round onions and Chinese peas.

Happy Days Chinese Restaurant

3553 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
738-8666
Daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.