Mon, Sep 21 · 11:30 AM HST
Some of my strongest memories of being a kid, sitting with my parents on tiny stools in an alley, staring at roasted ducks hanging in a window. The place wasn’t pretty, and nobody cared. Then the duck arrived—crispy skin, rich meat, that incredible dipping sauce, a bite of rice, some char siu, then crispy pork belly. I still remember those flavors. This place took me straight back there. It’s not fancy. The chairs are uncomfortable, the tables could probably use another wipe, and you’re eating in a communal space surrounded by grocery vendors, Vietnamese stalls, boba shops, and other Chinese food counters. Nobody is trying to sell you an experience. There’s no expensive décor, no carefully curated ambiance, no army of people polishing glasses and folding napkins. You come here to eat. Your money goes into the ingredients and the hands cooking them. The food is inexpensive, delicious, and straightforward. Some of the best meals of my life were never served on white tablecloths. They were eaten on cheap stools, in crowded little spaces, with people I loved. And sometimes one bite is enough to take you all the way back.
BYOB. It’s tucked inside a small food court with plenty of other options, including Vietnamese and Filipino food. You can bring your own drinks or grab something there—fruit smoothies, Vietnamese iced coffee, boba tea, and more. Nothing about this place is fancy. Space is tight, seating is limited, and you’ll probably end up sharing a communal table with strangers. But that’s part of the charm. The food is delicious, the value is hard to beat, and some of my favorite moments here have been the unexpected conversations with people sitting next to me. It’s simple, communal.
There’s an $8 lunch special that comes with rice, chicken, and your choice of pork or char siu. For $15, you can choose two different meats, like roast duck and char siu or roast duck and crispy pork. For $20, you get three different meats, which is what I ordered. I went with the char siu, roast duck, and crispy pork—my three favorites here. For $20, getting all three over rice is an incredible value. They accept all major credit cards, including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard, as well as cash. There’s no additional fee for paying by credit card. The pricing here is straightforward and honest.
