Exploring Honolulu's Chinatown

This trip was sponsored by the Hawaii Convention and Visitor's Bureau who generously covered our accommodations, a portion of our transportation, and some meals.

Crowded sidewalks, bustling stores, goods of all kinds excaping out of the stores and onto the surrounding sidewalks. Growing up in San Francisco, this is the mental image I have of Chinatown. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so surprised when Honolulu's Chinatown turned out to be more like Hawaii itself. Laid back, a little sleepy, but full of color.

Miles of fresh fruit in Honolulu Chinatown
Miles of fresh fruit in Honolulu Chinatown

Perhaps the Chinatown markets are busier earlier in the morning, or on a different day of the week, but we enjoyed having all that fresh produce to ourselves.

And Darya was just fascinated with all the live animals. She's just desperate to reach out and touch.

Fish for sale in Honolulu's Chinatown
Fish for sale in Honolulu's Chinatown

Me? I'm always fascinated by stores like this. I want to dig around and unearth something I've never tried before. I'm sure that there's a snack there with the perfect balance of sour and sweet, but the kids will never slow down long enough to let me find it. Maybe when they're older.

Asian products in a Honolulu's Chinatown
Asian products in a Honolulu's Chinatown

If you come, try to arrive early - we were too late to see the racks of fresh flower lei that are sold here each morning. Instead, we checked out the items hanging in the windows and doors of the many shops.

Shops stocked to bursting with Chinese Tchotchke in Honolulu's Chinatown
Shops stocked to bursting with Chinese Tchotchke in Honolulu's Chinatown

And then we grabbed lunch. I would have loved to sample every one of these fresh steamed buns

Chinese steamed buns (bao) in Honolulu's Chinatown
Chinese steamed buns (bao) in Honolulu's Chinatown

But instead we headed to the Little Village Noodle House, which has cute plastic plates for the kids, high chairs, and a fresh, made-to-order menu

Braised Greenbeans at Little Village Noodle House in Honolulu's Chinatown
Braised Greenbeans at Little Village Noodle House in Honolulu's Chinatown
Related Links
Honolulu with Kids

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