Ono Kimchi

Reviews

• Kahea R.

  star star star star star 7 June 2026

  Why complain about the price of what you order? Think it's too pricey? Don't order it! Why complain about the wait when you see she's chopping up your food completely to order? Go to the supermarket where it's been sitting for hours, just waiting for you! Think you didn't get all your change? Count it! Think it's unsanitary to have a bird in the back even after she washes her hands? Go to a chain restaurant where the front is washed down in bleach (yum!) and just never look in the back.
  
  This hard-working nice woman really cares about health and quality. I've been there twice, and yes, the first time I was taken aback when after I ordered, she pulled out the vegetables and started chopping! When she saw I was interested in the health aspect, she asked if I wanted whole grain rice for an extra $1. Sure, can't complain about that, and it was Ono, highly recommend the natural rice.
  
  The ingredients are organic and local and two fresh bibimbap took 10 minutes. This is the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall that we all love to find.

• Debby S.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 4 June 2026

  I think I just got robbed by the owner. I saw a picture on Yelp that had Jajangmyeon, I just inquired to the owner if she had it, because I didn't see it on the menu. Owner said no more, but she has one that was supposed to be for her, and if I wanted it. It felt a little weird to me, why would you sell me something that's not on the menu? Is this a leftover that she had for lunch? Is it a packaged one that she purchased from Palama Market? I then asked if it had seafood in it, and she said she is not sure, she thinks it was just pork. Then the owner seems irritated. Owner was persistent and impatient, "I make for you, you pay now." We also saw a photo of the Hawaiian Poke Salad Plate, and we asked how much it was, she said I give you good price, it's $20, but I give you $18. I make the best! Better than next door. Owner was very rude and rushed us to order (and may I add the 40 minutes that we were there, no customers came in, so I don't know why she was rushing us). Owner said you pay now $33 (mumbled the change). We gave $40 cash, she said give me $4, and then she gave $10, and I'm like thinking in my head did she just short us some change? Waited for our food and she didn't use any gloves the whole time especially for ready to eat food. Waited about 30 minutes for food, then she said to call next time because it will be faster. I hate to say this, but oh my gosh, I'm sorry, the food was horrible, we ended up not eating the food. Never in my life, this is the first time that we didn't eat a dish that was prepared for us.
  
  P.S. Department Of Health requires all food-handlers who come into contact with ready-to-eat food products to use gloves to prevent the occurrence of food illnesses. Non-latex and nitrile gloves are readily available and currently used by employees in both the food service and health care industries.

• Lauren K.

  star star star star star_border 25 May 2026

  Small little place with reasonable prices, good options including vegan options. Ordered the vegan curry fried rice. The owner was very friendly and actually cooked it from scratch - took about ten minutes. (Just a note, some butter used so not completely vegan). Only complaint is a tad salty but otherwise yummy, good deal, healthy. Flavored with curry powder, not the thick flavor cubes. Price only $8.25 for a full portion.

• Sharynne A.

  star star star star star 25 May 2026

  We were in the area for some Korean Fried Chicken at Itchy Butt when we stumbled upon Ono Kimchi right next door. It was our first day in Hawaii and we saw the they served poke. We didn't know what we were doing, so the owner recommended the Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke.
  
  HOLY POKE!
  
  It was the best poke we had all trip. This was our first poke stop and she definitely set the bar very high. In fact, we went back again at the end of our trip to seal the deal on Hawaii and leave on a high note.
  
  The fish was cut right then and there (this was the only place we went to that did this) and the poke bowl was mixed fresh to order. It was delightful. Ahi was tender - melted in our mouth. The kick from fresh cut chilis was painfully subtle and satisfying. The kosher salt also added a nice crunchy texture to each bite. The owner said she's only had the place for 5 years. We couldn't believed it because of how good it was.
  
  We also got to try her spicy garlic kimchi. It was different than the kimchi we were used to but my goodness it was too die for... It felt like we were in Korea. It was so flavorful. The fermented taste was subtle. The spice was on point. It went so well with the poke and the fried chicken from Itchy Butt next door!
  
  Overall, amazing food and very personable lady. She really took care of us. Highly recommend and will definitely stop by again if we are ever back in Honolulu!

• Ellen K.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  Do not buy any of the Korean banchan (side dishes) that are in the refrigerator.  I bought several types of kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, radish, chili pepper, and cucumber side dishes. The owner convinced me to buy more than I was going to saying this and that are good.  The total cost was pretty pricey compared to the grocery store.  I thought it was because it was going to be better quality and taste.  
  
  I went home and attempted to eat what I had purchased with rice.  OMG!!  It tasted as if she had made them a year ago.  The anchovies were dry and the vegetable dishes were all sour and not crunchy!!  I was so appalled I was going to take it back and confront the owner, but I figured she knew she was scamming me into buying old banchan she was trying to get rid of to make some $ immediately.  People like that won't care and will definitely not give me $ back.  I just decided never to return.  She lost a customer for life.