Mandalay Restaurant

When The Mandalay Cantonese Restaurant closed their restaurant located in Downtown Honolulu earlier this year, we were sad because this restaurant has been site to many family and business banquets and celebrations and dim sum brunches for us. Within a month of their closing, we heard about their plans for reopening in the Kaimukī - Kapahulu area, and our taste buds were excited to continue supporting this locally-owned business. Two months had passed, and we finally got together with close friends to have dim sum at this "new" location. The restaurant's founders, Larry and Linda Chan, have come full-circle after owning and operating a local Cantonese chain restaurant for nearly 40 years. Their first restaurant, Eastern Garden, started at this location and expanded to 4 sites on O'ahu. We'd frequent their Eastern Garden restaurant at Westridge since we formerly lived in the Aiea neighborhood early in our marriage. Around early or mid-2000, we remember speaking with Mrs. Chan about her family's plans to create a more upscale Chinese restaurant. And the next thing we knew, The Chans opened The Mandalay in Downtown Honolulu, where they continued thriving for twenty years. I don't know if they decided to downsize because they wanted to retire or if the pandemic had anything to do with their move back to their original location but, for whichever reason, we're just glad to see them again. Thanks to Nadine for making a reservation for our group of 7 people, as this would be the first time for all of us to dine at The Mandalay's Kaimukī-Kapahulu location. We all parked in the more considerable designated additional parking lot next to Salz Lock & Safe on Waialae Avenue. There are about eight stalls on the same property as the restaurant. Waialae Avenue fronts the main entrance, and there is a side entrance from the parking lot. Upon entry, Mr. Chan greeted us. We informed him that we were here for the confirmed reservation for the party of 7. He and all of the restaurant staff were wearing their face masks, and there were a couple of tables marked off to promote social distancing in the main dining room. There was a container of hand sanitizer that we each took a pump from before being escorted into the first private room that was already set up for our group. After taking several photos of the restaurant's interior, the rest of the party arrived. Our server delivered glasses of iced water, two pots of hot tea, and a menu. The menu was a list of dim sum or yum cha dishes, noodle or rice dishes, and desserts. The Mandalay restaurant does not serve the dim sum off of steam-heated carts. One of the attendees read off the menu, and each one of us chirped in our requests for her to mark off on the menu list. Within a few minutes, the server started to bring out the dishes, which were hot, fresh, and flavorful. The quality and flavors of each of the dishes were just as we remembered from their former downtown location. The service was excellent as the server refilled our teapots and water glasses. The servers would serve dishes whole but would cut them into portions upon our request. The dim sum was priced reasonably as we ordered 11 dishes, and we paid $20pp, which included tax and tip. We're already looking forward to putting The Mandalay back into our dim sum eating rotation again.

Our first time and went when first open, service was quick and all dimpsum were great. We had to try the soup dumpling it was very flavorful but wish it contained just little more soup

Mandalay is one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever eaten at! The food is absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend any kind of seafood from Mandalay, you will not be disappointed! The venue is nice. The restaurant has a relaxing but still social feeling. This is a great restaurant for getting together with friends and family.

Always satisfied with Mandalay food and service. Linda is always so accommodating. Celebrated my son's 25th birthday and my Good friends Michael and Joseph's latest visit to Hawaii.

We had a dim sum lunch - awesome tasting food and friendly accommodating staff. Much, much smaller (no comparison) than the former downtown location. I didn't rate it 5 stars because the location has a lot to be desired and the parking is awful. I feel sorry for the apartment residents that share the parking lot. Don't go with an expensive car - it's that tight. I'm glad I didn't go with my truck. Otherwise good job Madalay. 👏