Ahi Poke ($16)
Waiolu Ocean Cuisine has created an inviting, family-friendly vibe complete with a picture-perfect postcard view of Waikiki Beach, all while offering the freshest seafood available coupled with local flavors.
Situated in Trump International Hotel Waikiki on the bustling Waikiki Beach Walk, the restaurant features an open-air dining concept with a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere and comfortable seating. Waiolu Ocean Cuisine also has an expansive full bar bookended by high-definition televisions and complete with beer, wine, spirits, sake and specialty cocktails.
Selection of oysters, shown are Kusshi and Fat Bastard oysters ($18 for six)
The menu at Waiolu Ocean Cuisine is laden with the freshest, locally sourced seafood, and when local options aren’t available, the restaurant’s culinary team imports top-quality selections from around the Pacific Rim. Executive chef Shoji Namatame and his culinary team revamped the restaurant’s menu late last year to showcase multiple varieties of seafood, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Kona Abalone ($18)
“Our guests view Hawaii as a seafood destination, so we’re able to feature the freshest choices prepared in the local style that really makes our menu unique,” says Namatame. “Diners really enjoy coming here for their local favorites, and we’ve kept menu prices very reasonable.”
To start one’s meal, reel in fresh-caught Ahi Poke ($16), a local classic that is prepared with shoyu, onions, green onion oil and ogo to create a diverse flavor profile. Kona Abalone ($18) is another local favorite as the rich and hearty delicacy is brought in fresh from Hawaii island and prepared to order. Guests can choose to have the 1/4-pound portion of shellfish sauteed with garlic shoyu butter or grilled with shoyu and sake.
Day Boat Catch (market price) features fresh catch of the day, shown is uku or gray snapper.
From the “Raw Bar,” diners can choose from multiple selections of oysters ($18 for six), including Kusshi and Fat Bastard varieties from Washington state that are accompanied by ponzu, mignonette and cocktail sauce. Namatame explains that the Kusshi oyster offers a creamy, lightly briny taste, while the Fat Bastard oysters, which are large versions of the Shigoku oyster, feature plenty of meat and rich flavor.
Namatame and his team procure the freshest fish available, and the resulting Day Boat Catch (market price) can be prepared to guests’ liking. On a recent Dining Out visit, uku (gray snapper) was the catch of the day, and Namatame explained many guests asked for it to be served steamed, Chinese style with cilantro, ginger, green onion and shoyu. Diners also may choose to have the tender, delicious fish prepared on the grill, or made crispy with a ponzu and lemon sauce.
With both Sunset (3-6 p.m.) and Late Night (9-11 p.m.) happy hours available daily, Waiolu Ocean Cuisine offers incredible value for guests on some of its most popular food and beverage options. The restaurant also features a fresh sushi bar, which is open from 5 p.m. to closing, and during the Late Night happy hour, sushi selections are half price.
In addition to incredible flavor and value provided at Waiolu Ocean Cuisine, guests also are treated to complimentary four-hour valet parking with validation – a rarity in Waikiki.
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