Photo: Thomas Obungen   There are few people I can call on a Friday with news about kebab smash burgers whose response I know will be, “Where and when?” Frolic Hawai‘i contributor Gregg Hoshida is on that list. Thankfully he answered my call as I drove around Kaka‘ako searching for the intersection of Waimanu and Queen streets. It’s behind South Shore Market, in case you’re racking your brain.   Photo: Thomas Obungen   That’s where we found Kababa Mama, a new food trailer that just hit the streets a few days ago. A friend posted about its pita smash burgers on her In ..read more

  This isn’t about acai bowls, shave ice or mochi: For those committed to plant-based diets and looking to indulge with just a little less guilt, we rounded up as many decadent, vegan-friendly dessert options as we could find. Half of these 11 spots serve frozen sweets; the rest specialize in baked goods—from chocolate-kalo cupcakes to ube tiramisu. We focused on places where vegan desserts don’t feel like an afterthought. Read on for where to find what.   7 Vegans HI   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by 7 Vegans HI : Vegan Honolulu (@7vegans_hi) What: Ve ..read more

  There are so many ramen options on O‘ahu, but as I’ve shifted to a more plant-based diet, I find myself craving vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Luckily, many restaurants include meat-free ramen bowls that are often jam-packed with nutritious plant-based ingredients and fresh veggies, making them lower in saturated fats due to the absence of animal products.   Whether you’re a full-time vegan, gave up meat for Lent, participate in meatless Mondays or simply want to reduce your carbon footprint, Honolulu has no shortage of vegan ramen eateries available to give you a tasty and an ..read more

  There’s bold news on the eating scene: La Tour Café in ʻĀina Haina revamped its menu late last year and has gone completely plant-based. Now known as Planted by La Tour Cafe, the restaurant in ʻĀina Haina Shopping Center offers dairy-free, egg-free, meatless versions of menu items from savory banh mi sandwiches to crisp and cloud-like macarons. Its motto, “sprouted from the bottom, now we’re here,” totally reflects the cafe’s practice of sourcing local and fresh as much as possible.   An offshoot of the family-owned, locally operated Ba-Le Sandwich Shop chain, La Tour Café is a sm ..read more

  Photo courtesy of Maddy Chow   Frolic’s new intern, Maddy Chow is a third-year marketing and international business student at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She grew up in Seattle, where cooking with her grandparents helped instill a passion for food and where her favorite restaurant is Din Tai Fung. Maddy’s ongoing immersion in O‘ahu’s diverse food and culture (check out her food account @maddychowdown) means she’s always looking for new places to try. Off busy Beretania Street, you’ll find a hidden gem. Fancy Fresh Food Shop, which moved next door to Dew Drop Inn when ‘O ..read more

  Photo: Thomas Obungen   Farmers markets are breeding grounds for food innovation and some of Hawai‘i’s most successful restaurants. Frolic’s series spotlights some of these ‘ono finds.   What: Grilled meat kebabs and kofta plates; koshari rice and grain pilaf How much: $12.99 to $24 What market: Honolulu Farmers Market, 777 Ward Ave.; Kailua Farmers Market, 609 Kailua Road Vendor schedule: Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (Honolulu), Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (Kailua), Instagram: @middleeats808   I’m standing in a longer-than-usual line for the Local Ge ..read more

  Photo: Maria Burke   What the writer Michael Pollan said—“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”—sounds easy enough, right? But plant-based food, free of flavorful, umami-rich animal proteins and their succulent fat, has been hard for most decadent foodies and chefs to embrace. As someone who loves food, eats for a living and strives to be health-conscious, I also harbor a love-hate relationship with healthy food.   So when I saw Nina Cucina’s plant-based menu online—and realized that it could be delivered to my house—I ordered it on the spot. Nina Cucina’s meal delivery se ..read more

  Niu Soft-serve, the coconut-based ice cream spot that originated in ‘Ohana Hale Marketplace and on Waiakamilo Road, opened its new parlor in Mō‘ili‘ili across from the Old Stadium Park. It’s perfect for all my plant-based and lactose-intolerant besties, and although I’m neither, I’ll take any excuse to enjoy something sweet.    Walking into the store, I see glass jars filled with topping options from Oreo cookies and macadamia nuts to biscotti. They’ll even drizzle your soft-serve with strawberry li hing sauce.   Photo: Emily Smith   Niu rotates four flavors ..read more

  Grass Jelly Signature bowl. Photo: Martha Cheng   On a recent trip to Ala Moana Center, I started with mochi bread from Brug Bakery, tried ChickenJoy from Jollibee to see if it’s really the best fast-food fried chicken, and then finished lunch off with grass jelly shave ice at Meet Fresh. Just supporting global capitalism via Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan, in two hours or less. I feel conflicted—I love the variety, but when cities across the world have the same chains, will they lose their unique appeal?   Photo: Martha Cheng   But as usual, existential questions ..read more

  The first episode of Netflix’s “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories” opens with the Master preparing an order of tan-men. He mounds the humble bowl of ramen noodles with stir-fried vegetables and thin strips of pork simmered in a light dashi. While he admits he uses instant ramen, for tan-men, fresh noodles are better suited.   Photo: Thomas Obungen   You won’t find tan-men on a menu in Hawai’i unless you’re at Camado Ramen Tavern, Tokyo-based Zetton’s newest venture on Lewers Street. The retro-chic spot—Zetton’s seventh in Waikīkī after Heavenly Island Lifestyle, Aloha Table, Go ..read more