11 Best Cheap Eats Restaurants on Oahu Under $20 -That Won't Break the Bank!
Updated: Aug 2
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, Oahu, Hawaii, is known for its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and sweeping views.
But many people don't know that it's also home to some of the best cheap eats restaurants. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a full-on feast, here are eleven cheap eats restaurants in Honolulu, Oahu, that will satisfy your tummy & wallet.
Skip the long lines in Waikiki & explore beyond the tourist traps!
Here are ten excellent restaurants with delicious food and affordable prices:
List of Cheap Eats on Oahu
One of my favorite poke spots I have tried on Oahu! Ono has been around since 1995 and serves the community with the best poke & price.
You can buy their poke by the pound or in a bowl. You can also get it as sashimi on a part platter to surprise the party with deliciousness.
The poke bowl comes in two sizes, and you can choose one or two flavors. My favorite combination of all time is Hawaiian Style Ahi & Miso Tako. IT TOOK ME AWAY!
Keep in mind this spot is a take-out spot with two tables outdoors for dining.
An alternative affordable place for fresh poke is at this grocery store: Foodland!
Ask some locals for their favorites, and they will point you in the right direction.
Location:
⭐️
UNBELIEVABLE! You would never be able to tell how delicious their food is from the outside of this restaurant. I didn't believe it when I saw their reviews on Yelp/Google.
Sunrise restaurant serves Okinawan-Japanese-style dishes.
They offer sushi, bento boxes, lunch plates, and soups! If you are a sushi lover, THIS IS YOUR PLACE. They have the freshest ingredients!
There are only a few Okinawan restaurants around, so if you want to experience that, this is your chance.
It is worth ordering their combination option, where you can choose soup & sushi for $17. The short rib soup warmed up my soul after one sip. I have yet to learn how they make it, but it is a must-try on the menu.
I'm ready to come back for more!
Address:
7/11 Hawai'i Convenience Store
Hawaii 7/11 ain't no basic 7/11 like the mainland. If you have ever been to Asia and had their 7/11 food, then you can imagine what Hawaii 7/11 is like.
Variety of bento boxes, musubi, sushi, nori rolls, shrimp pork hash, noodles, manapuas, sandwiches, Asian snacks, you name it... ANYWAYS, you got the gist of it.
Grab a bento box, nori roll, plus a drink for under $15, and you'll be FULL.
Marugame Udon Hawai'i
Serves some seriously delicious Japanese noodles at very reasonable prices (most dishes range from $8 to $10). Try their signature udon with tempura shrimp or vegetable croquettes for a crunchy texture!
This is an udon chain, also known as Marukame Seimen in Japan, which currently has locations in Hawaii, California & Texas.
Waikiki Location: DO NOT GO THERE DURING DINNER HOURS. I REPEAT [DO NOT]. There is almost short to no line during lunch hours. But, if you were to go during dinner, it is around an hour line.
The best thing on the menu is Cold Nikutama paired with shrimp tempura.
Tempuras to Try: Shrimp, Potato Croquette, Big Chicken Katsu, Sweet Potato!
Don't forget to check out the condiment area for shichimi seasoning & tempura dipping sauce.
If you live near the Waikiki Marugame and want to grab it at night, you can order online for takeout and skip the line. It is equally tasty~
Locations:
Waikiki Marugame Udon ⭐️
Downtown Marugame Udon
The most affordable Japanese BBQ with certified wagyu on the island! I find the lunch special at Yakiniku Sizzle most affordable, which includes a set of soups, salad, side dishes, and three meat choices for $19.95!
Lunch Special Hours: 11 AM to 5 PM
Address:
Phone Number: (808)-376-8948
A small restaurant with around ten tables that offers delicious & affordable Japanese food. Can you believe a bowl of Chirashi bowl is only $18.50?
It's definitely one of the best deals in town!
The service here is super friendly and quick. The first time I was there with my mom, we ordered multiple dishes that were equally delicious.
I recommend making an appointment, especially for dinner.
It quickly gets crowded after 7 pm.
Parking Lot: It's about two stores down near the supermarket. Make sure to park where the signs indicate for restaurants only.
Address:
Phone Number: (808) 949-2679
The best local food, Saimin, is served at Shige's Saimin Stand, with very few tourists around this area. That's how you know it is a hidden gem.
What is Saimin? A noodle soup with egg, dashi, spam/char siu, and kamaboko. It's a dish where you can see the history of Hawaii in a bowl.
Another place to find this inexpensive dish is on the Mcdonald's menu! Try out the island's best flavors!
Address:
Liliha Bakery has been around since 1950 and continues to be one of the most popular spots on Oahu for breakfast and dessert items such as malasadas (Portuguese donuts), cream puffs, cakes, pies, sandwiches, and more, all at very affordable prices ($5-$15).
I love their OG location in Liliha with counter service.
I recommend you go when it first opens to skip the line since there are only around 15 seats.
I woke up feeling super hungry, so I ordered a loco moco 5 oz patty and paired it with hot sauce.
Liliha Bakery doesn't play around with its portions. They serve large portions because HOLY MOLY... when I saw the size of their pancakes 😯
Don't even consider leaving this place without trying their dessert because you will REGRET.
Locations:
Original Liliha ⭐️
Nimitz
Ala Moana
Waikiki
Pearl City
You have probably already heard of this famous musubi & bento spot. Their spam musubi & bentos are all reasonably priced. They started as one tiny shop in Waikiki and now expanded to 7 locations in Honolulu.
1 Musubi ranges around $2-$4 depending. You won't be full from one musubi, so don't be afraid and try out their rolls & rice balls!!
It's an excellent place to take a quick bite!
Tips: buy some and bring it with you on a hike.
Locations:
There are a lot of hidden shops in these Chinatown markets that will leave you gasping for air. Poke bowls, plate lunches, pho, and Filipino food for as cheap as $8!
Walk around Maunakea Marketplace, Ohana Market, or just around Chinatown to find what your tummy is craving! There are many options here, and a lot of juice stands for the after-meal refreshment. Remember to check out all the local produce for fresh fruit, seafood, and meat at these markets. Cooking at home is also considered an affordable meal.
Don Quijote Hawai'i
I am not talking about bento boxes inside this supermarket, but I am talking about the little restaurants outside Don Quijote. There are a coffee stand, takoyaki, wagyu sticks, and Hokkaido Ramen Santouka!
1 wagyu stick for $5.99, 2 for $9.99, and a plate for $12.99. SAY NO MORE!
Address:
Other Popular Affordable Options for Local Taste:
Visiting Oahu doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg if you know where to go eat. My list of 11 cheap eats restaurants should provide plenty of options when hunger strikes without unnecessarily burning through your vacation budget — so why not give them a try next time you're on the island? Who knows?
You might find yourself returning time after time because these places offer some of the tastiest food on Oahu while being incredibly budget friendly too! Enjoy!
