Disappointing food recs and what turned out good so far

Ok maybe it’s just me. I’m from NY and maybe I got all the wrong recs from this sub and other subs.

So far the O’ahu food experience has just been utterly bad!

Big island recs were great! Super J, PTC, Hawaiian food specialties, Big Island Abalone Farm, GJ Huli Huli.

However, O’ahu places were super overhyped.

Biggest let down: Tonkatsu Tamafuji. God damn awful. Tasteless pork in an oily batter, waited an hour for some extremely mid tonkatsu that H Mart frozen section stuff can easily beat.

2nd place runner up for let down: Thyda’s tacos. Up until we took a bite, the crowds, friendly staff, energy and everything else was great. Barbacoa tacos, smallest tortillas you’ve ever seen, not flavorful sauce, Beef Tongue Mulitas, also just oily. Only thing good was their salsa verde. Extremely over priced for the taste.

But tbf it’s dumb to expect tacos in Hawaii to taste like NY spots.

Maguro Bros: very mid sashimi spot. People were nice, fish looked fresh, price was right, just not as hyped as people make it out to be.

Paia Fish Market: over priced, dry fish plates. Cajun blackened ahi and ono. Nothing worth talking about, just overall bad for the taste.

Liliha’s bakery: coco puffs taste like store bought puffs with different creams, not as special as people make it out to be.

Dole Whip: knew it was a tourist trap but had to try it at the Dole Plantation. 6/10.

Shaved Ice: Went to Kaimana shaved ice, nothing special, again I feel like 9 bucks for a bowl of mid shaved ice, is just not it.

Now for the good:

Garlic shrimp: delicious carts up on North shore!

Marugame Udon: 10/10 best Udon ever tasted. Price+taste+fast line!

Still have 2 days so let me know if you have other recommendations!

We are hitting up Sushi II and Honolulu Skewer House, Helena’s tomorrow.