Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken is a hugely popular local food in Haleiwa.
“Huli huli” means “turn turn” in Hawaiian, and as the name suggests, “Huli Huli Chicken” is chicken that is roasted while being constantly turned on a rotisserie.
Among the many places that sell huli huli chicken, Ray’s (officially named Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken) is the most popular.
The fact that it’s only open on weekends and can only be found in Haleiwa Town on the North Shore gives it a special, local-gem feel, don’t you think?
It’s so popular that some people visit the North Shore just to eat Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken, so if you find yourself in Haleiwa Town on a weekend, you should definitely give it a try.
The Secret to Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken’s Popularity
Rotisserie chicken is a fairly popular dish in Hawaii.
Because of this, you can find huli huli chicken in various places around Oahu.
So, why is Ray’s the most popular of them all? The reasons include:
- The exclusivity of being available only on weekends on the North Shore
- Their dedication to flavor, such as using kiawe wood for a smoky aroma
- The special secret sauce, which they spend all week preparing
It seems the two main reasons are that you can’t get it anytime you want and that it simply tastes better than the competition.
It used to be more of a hidden gem, but it seems to have gained popularity after being featured on a popular Japanese TV show and through word-of-mouth on social media.
With crispy skin, juicy meat, and incredible seasoning, it’s a dish I highly recommend. If you can, try to plan your North Shore visit for a weekend.
They close once they sell out, so I recommend getting there well before 4:00 PM!
Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken Menu
The huli huli chicken comes in two sizes: a whole chicken or a half chicken.
They also offer a plate lunch (half chicken + rice + coleslaw + pineapple), which brings the total number of menu items to three!
In terms of portion size, a half chicken is quite satisfying for one person.
A whole chicken is enough to fill up a hungry adult.
The North Shore has many other delicious foods to try, so you might want to save some room.
By the way, I’d recommend getting just the chicken instead of the plate lunch!
They also sell drinks and a special sauce (a soy-based one).
Basic Information about Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken
| Name | Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken |
| Address | 66-190 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat, Sun) |
| Closed | Monday – Friday |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
Recommended Ways to Get to Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken
Rental Cars & Turo – Private Vehicles for Exploring Hawaii Freely
Areas Around Ray’s Huli Huli Chicken
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Tourist Spots on Oahu’s North Shore