Where Kamaaina Dine Happy

Servers Chen Hui Xue and Elton He fl ank manager Yao Ming Guan (middle).

Many island residents have long believed that finding an affordable and convenient place to dine in Waikiki is next to impossible, but in the case of Seafood Village Chinese Cuisine, that notion is nothing more than a myth. In actuality, the restaurant within Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa is home to a legion of loyal patrons who return time and time again for its kamaaina-friendly menus and location.

Located on the lower level of the hotel, removed from crowds and busy foot traffic above, the eatery is something of a hidden oasis of Chinese fare for locals in the know, seeing as it offers accessible parking and prices — the two most common concerns among diners in Waikiki.

Stir Fried String Beans

“The parking situation is really affordable. You can park in the hotel parking structure, and when you dine here, you just pay $3 for four hours,” explains manager Yao Ming Guan, adding that the price is very comparable to that of other popular dining pockets of Honolulu, such as the downtown area.

Chicken Salad with Oriental Dressing

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Most importantly, Seafood Village offers both locals and tourists a high-quality yet budget-friendly dining experience to go along with its hassle-free parking. After 10-plus years with the restaurant, Shaohong Lu recently was promoted to executive chef and continues to serve up the eatery’s signature Hong Kong-style fare, complete with regional touches of Szechuan flavors.

“If people like Chinese food, they definitely have to come here because we cook it authentically, we’re not a fusion kind (of restaurant),” says Guan.

Sweet and Sour Pork

The savings on Seafood Village’s delectable brand of cuisine really come into play with its Lunch Party Menu, which is available to kamaaina guests only. Perfect for large special events as well as intimate family gatherings, the menu options are offered from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for parties of 10 or more and feature a range of the eatery’s most popular items, from dim sum to family-style entrees.

Salt and Pepper Calamari

One of the two Lunch Party Menu choices is priced at just $11.95 per person and presents Chicken Salad with Oriental Dressing; four types of dim sum, including Barbecue Pork Bun, Chive Dumpling, Siu Mai and Seafood Dumpling; classic main dishes of Salt and Pepper Calamari, Sweet and Sour Pork and Minute Chicken Fried Noodle; healthy Stir Fried String Beans; and mouthwatering Mango Pudding for dessert.

“This price is unbeatable,” adds Guan.

Four types of dim sum

All of the Lunch Party Menu flavors sizzle, but the entrees stand out for their full-flavored qualities. The calamari is perfectly breaded and crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside with a zing of spice from chili peppers and garlic. And while the sweet and sour dish features a thick, comforting sauce, each piece of pork remains wonderfully crunchy. As for the minute chicken, those essential Hong Kong-style thin noodles make the dish irresistible.

Mango Pudding

There is another Lunch Party Menu available for $16.95 per person. That one comes together with Seafood Salad; six varieties of dim sum, from Seafood Dumpling, Siu Mai and Lotus Wrap Mochi Rice with Chicken, to Crispy Shrimp Dumpling, Spinach Dumping and Barbecue Pork Manapua; Roasted Peking Duck, Salt and Pepper Calamari and Seafood Fried Noodle entrees; and Mango Pudding.

Minute Chicken Fried Noodle; all dishes pictured are from the Lunch Party Menu.

Guan says these kamaaina-centric menus have been very popular for birthdays, showers and especially during upcoming graduation season. And with exclusive shopping in the Waikiki area, as well as the beach across the street, there’s no limit to the adventures guests may have before or after their meal. One day’s advance notice is required with reservations for the Lunch Party Menu, and guests may call ahead to check on private-room availability.

It Takes A Village To Raise A Restaurant
• Seafood Village debuted in 1995
• The eatery offers multi-course kamaaina dinner menus ranging from $29.95 to $41.95 per head.
• 3 private rooms are available at the restaurant, with various configurations to accommodate groups of 10, 20, 30, 70 — you name it.
• $3 Validated Parking for four hours available in Hyatt Regency’s self-parking structure, which is accessible on Uluniu Avenue across from the hotel.

Seafood Village Chinese Cuisine

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa
2420 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
971-1818
Daily, Lunch: 11 A.M.-2 P.M., Dinner: 5-10 P.M.