If the parking lot outside Aloha Hawaiian Kitchen at lunchtime on weekdays is reminiscent of the traffic jams one might experience in Waikiki at the height of the tourist season, then the scene at this new eatery on Semoran embodies the shaka.
It’s like, relax, man. Relax.
I don’t know where the people who crave these narrow spaces go, but more of them should come here to relax and have something to eat.
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There was plenty of room to sit on my visits, and on one of them I took advantage of it and grabbed one of the booths along the wall of this clean, open space. The service at the counter is friendly, helpful, and patient. I had questions, which they answered kindly. I wanted recommendations, and they were happy to oblige. You almost feel like you’re actually in Hawaii, but unfortunately the closest you can get is the proximity to the airport and its frequent flights.
This is a great place to say goodbye before inviting someone over for their birthday. Or a nice place to eat before picking someone up. And if you live nearby? Then it’s ono kine grindz whenever you want, hoa aloha.
As relaxed as the space is, the owners are busy. I tried to contact them a few times without success. While I don’t know the business’s history, I can tell you that the food is worth trying, even if you’re looking for a quick snack for the car.
They’re best in the form of inari ($6 for two), spam macsubi (at $4, this thing will satisfy hunger for a good hour or more without hurting your wallet, and offers creamy noodle salad as an additional salt buffer; for $3.50, you can also opt for the traditional version), and the heavenly alohasada dessert ($6 for three fresh malasada-inspired munchkin lookalikes filled with ube, pandan, or haupia cream).
I grabbed it as my final meal during my visit to the restaurant and had to struggle to limit consumption to a bite, especially when the heavenly coconut flavors of the haupia reminded me how much I love this traditional Hawaiian pudding.
Inari, if you don’t know it, they are practical fried tofu pockets, and here you can choose the filling of your choice. I chose salmon (yummy), but you can also use ahi, kani, huli-huli chicken pieces or avocado if you want a vegetarian snack.
If you’re hanging out locally, however, you can go for the double-carb option and grab AHK’s Aloha Plates, apparently their version of the plated meal, packed with rice and noodle salad (or choose the spring mix option), plentiful in to-go containers that just need a lid so you can quickly grab leftovers. They range in price from $12 to $16, with one exception, the Kahuna Combo ($22), which includes servings of three other entrees: huli huli chicken, loco moco, and crispy pork.
Although huli-huli is difficult to replicate outside of the 50th state, where whole chickens are frequently cooked roadside over kiawe wood, often as part of a local fundraiser, AHK’s dish is a passable imitation, sweet and smoky, and does a good job of assuaging hunger, as does Loco Moco’s sauce-smothered burger (mine had the yolk fried hard, but was still tasty). The pork was juicy and mostly crispy. Like most Hawaiian lunch dishes, the whole thing just begs for a mashup with the pasta salad, a very tasty version.
When it comes to poke, I’m definitely a make-your-own kind of girl because it’s so much fun to have so many options. Thick pickled onions, seemingly homemade, were mild and delightful in both the pre-made Aloha Ahi variety ($15, with sriracha mayo ahi, cucumber salad, super-zesty kimchi, seaweed salad, ginger, crunchy chow mein, sesame seeds, and scallions)—a great option if you’re in a rush or find those dizzying options stressful.
On another visit, I ordered garlic ponzu salmon with many of the above, plus some edamame, lomi tomatoes, avocado, and serrano peppers. The bowls start at $15, but on a return visit, I might just get the 8- or 16-ounce mixed poke option and make my own bowl at home. Fun thing to do. The creamy wasabi and coconut-lime sauce options were also a hit at home.
I’ve also got my eye on the $9 mochiko chicken sandwich (kimchi butter? Pass me the clipboard!).
The beauty of airport-based options is that even if you don’t travel there regularly, you’ll eventually drive there and say a cheerful “hello” or a wistful “goodbye.”
And if you’re hungry? A’ole pilikia (don’t worry), man.
Aloha means both.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the Instagram account of OSFoodie @orlando.foodieE-mail: [email protected]For even more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook Group.
When you go
Aloha Hawaiian cuisine: 6125 S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando, alohawaiiankitchen.com
