Honolulu Café has been a known spot for decades among local foodies in Hong Kong. Widely regarded as the original cha chaan teng in Hong Kong since it opened in the 1940s, the restaurant has brought its distinct Hong Kong Café-style dishes and store concept in the country. Serving full meals and with its delectable array of pastries –there’s really more than one reason to go back for another bite.
The POP! team recently visited the branch in Robinsons Place Manila (they also have an SM Aura branch) and got a taste of their menu highlights–check out the highlights of the visit below:
The display case at front of the store was an invitation to any passer-by as all pastries looked fresh, lined up properly in trays and in multiple rows. The instant eye catcher was the Honolulu Egg Tart–an instant classic among the menu items of the restaurant. The tart, which critics and foodies have almost unanimously described as smooth, fluffy, and overall heavenly delicious, has a scrumptious, creamy yellow center, showing a full and well-baked middle.
The other pastries are just as interesting and deserving of taste-test. The names would take you on a mini world tour as each treat is carefully thought of in both look and pastry name. The display case includes variations such as Coconut Cocktail Bun, Luncheon Meat and Egg Bun, Mexico Chocolate Chip Bun, Be Lo Red Bean Bun, Bo Lo BBQ Pork Bun, and the Honolulu Bo Lo Bun. The pastries can be bought for take out without needing to line up in-store.
From the entrance, the overall look of the place lives up to its name: a glimpse of Honolulu with its beach-themed logo and colors of green and hues of orange –which also at the same time reflects the prevalent warm colors of the dishes that are well-loved in Hong Kong.
The overall dining vibe is laid back–good to bring your friends for a fun catch-up over summer-themed drinks and pastries, but with a menu that your whole family can try over lunch or dinner. The interior of the place is reminiscent of quaint restaurants in Asia and the service is good to tie up the whole experience. It’s like traveling to Hong Kong for a moment without having the need to leave Manila.
Now, the dishes. We were served the bestsellers of the café. Included were full meal go-to picks such as Baked Chicken Rice, Soy Chicken, and Roasted Pork Belly. An interesting dish was the Curry Fish Ball, a small snack with ball-shaped bites in curry sauce. This would be an interesting snack to try for those who would try something out of the ordinary. There was also the Beef Brisket that was served in a bowl with thick sauce and well-cooked ingredients.
Overall, the Honolulu Café lives up to its decades-long tradition of serving good food and quality dining experience. Apart from having quick access to the HK-famous egg tarts, taste buds are also tickled with pastries, drinks, and dishes that are new to the palate.
Since opening its doors in the Philippines in 2019, the chain has been committed to continue bringing good food in the Philippines as it had in other neighboring Asian countries.
Visit the Honolulu Café Robinsons Place Manila branch:
Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Lower Ground Floor, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Check them out online at:
IG:@honolulucafeph
FB:@honolulucafeph
You can order for delivery via the following Delivery Partners:
Foodpanda, GrabFood, SM Malls Online
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