When talking about the number one local comfort food in Hawaii, isn’t garlic shrimp the first thing that comes to mind?
It has a punchy flavor that is hard to find elsewhere, making it always popular with first-timers and repeaters alike!
In this article, Aloalo Travel tour guides introduce the Top 10 garlic shrimp spots in Hawaii, combining 5 popular shops with 5 hidden gems that have a loyal following.
We will guide you through everything from famous shops talked about in magazines and on TV to super delicious hidden spots known only to locals.
There are countless garlic shrimp shops in Hawaii, but we have carefully selected only the most recommended ones, so please use this as a reference for your Hawaii trip.
Jenny’s Shrimp
Jenny’s Shrimp is the number one choice for light and refreshing garlic shrimp.
This shop took over for Macky’s, which was a very popular garlic shrimp shop in Haleiwa Town.
By the way, Jenny was the head chef at Macky’s at the time, so those who loved Macky’s can rest assured! Haha.
The location and name of the truck have changed, but the taste has not changed at all.
If you were a Macky’s fan or if you like lighter garlic shrimp, please give it a try.
Recommended Menu at Jenny’s Shrimp
Jenny’s Shrimp does not have a huge menu, so you won’t have to worry too much about what to order, but here are three recommendations!
Number 1 Popular Butter Garlic
This is the most classic menu item, and the sauce coating the large shrimp is a masterpiece that even locals rave about!
The flavor is not too overpowering, and it isn’t overly greasy, resulting in a light seasoning that is easy for anyone to enjoy.
Jenny’s plates come with salad and pineapple, giving it a nice Hawaiian feel.
Personally Recommended Spicy Garlic
This menu item has a flavor profile that sits between the butter garlic and the spicy options.
This dish is recommended for those who want something with a bit of a punch rather than a light flavor.
Many people prefer a rich style with plenty of sauce when it comes to garlic shrimp, so in that case, try choosing the Spicy Garlic.
It does have a certain level of heat, so it might be a bit difficult for children.
However, it is not as spicy as it looks, and once you start eating, you will definitely get hooked!
Refreshing Lemon Pepper
This is a dish where the sourness of lemon and the saltiness of pepper match perfectly.
Lemon is quite popular as a seasoning for shrimp, and Jenny’s Lemon Pepper has a fairly strong and delicious flavor.
It is rare to include pepper, but it acts as a great accent, and with the lemon flavor, you can eat it refreshingly.
If you go with a group, sharing allows you to challenge various flavors at once, which is a fun way to enjoy it!
Giovanni’s
Giovanni’s is the most popular garlic shrimp spot among Hawaii’s local comfort foods.
There is no other plate lunch that beats this exquisitely seasoned garlic shrimp.
Among the many shops, Giovanni’s seasoning is exceptional, and once you eat it, you will surely become addicted!
I am so hooked that I eat it about once a week. Haha.
Please be sure to stop by at least once during your stay in Hawaii.
Popular No.1 Menu Scampi
Giovanni’s Scampi might just be the most delicious food in Hawaii.
Be careful not to order other flavors, as “Scampi” refers to the garlic flavor here.
The original garlic sauce soaked into the plump shrimp is just the best!
To be honest, you could be satisfied with just the rice and garlic. Haha.
As advice on how to eat it: many people peel the shell and eat it right away, but the sauce on the shell is exquisite, so that method is a waste!
A pro tip to make it taste 10 times better is to first suck the shrimp with the shell on, and then bite into the shrimp while the sauce is still in your mouth.
Also, many flies come attracted by the scent of garlic, but if you squeeze the provided lemon, a significant number will leave because they dislike the smell.
Hawaii’s Spiciest Hot & Spicy
The Hot & Spicy menu says “No Refunds.” Haha.
This is because many people try to return it because it is too spicy.
It is genuinely spicy enough to be a punishment game, so unless you love extremely spicy food or want to challenge your limits, you should avoid it!
By the way, even the shop staff find it a mystery why it becomes so spicy.
The seasoning is very simple; it is shrimp stir-fried with the “hot sauce” you can get when ordering Scampi, which itself has a common level of spice.
Perhaps because it is cooked and piping hot, it feels extra spicy.
We recommend sticking to Scampi and asking for some hot sauce on the side to dip.
Light and Healthy Lemon & Butter
If you don’t like garlic, please try the Lemon & Butter.
The shrimp are boiled with lemon flavor, resulting in a very light taste.
It feels like the slight saltiness and the sourness of the lemon bring out the natural taste of the shrimp.
The compatibility of the included butter sauce and lemon is also perfect!
Unfortunately, if you have a shellfish allergy, there is a garlic hot dog on the menu, so you can at least enjoy the delicious garlic.
You can also ask to swap the hot dog bun for rice, and in that case, they will pour plenty of garlic sauce over the rice for you!
Giovanni’s Plate Size and Volume
There are two sizes for Giovanni’s plates.
The regular plate comes with 12 shrimp and 2 scoops of rice per plate.
In terms of volume, it is about enough to make an adult woman feel just full.
The half plate comes with 6 shrimp and 1 scoop of rice per plate.
Both the price and size are really exactly half. Haha.
So, if you want to try different flavors, ordering two half sizes is a good option!
Giovanni’s Has 3 Locations
Giovanni’s has a total of 3 locations in Hawaii.
The main location is in Kahuku on the North Shore, the second is in Haleiwa Town also on the North Shore, and the third is inside H Mart (a Korean supermarket) in Kakaako.
The two North Shore locations are wagon-style shops, while Kakaako is a storefront type.
It is famous that you can write graffiti on the truck, so please try writing on it when you visit the North Shore locations.
If you ask the shop staff, they will lend you a pen!
Since it is popular, there can be a wait of about an hour even on weekdays, but Aloalo Travel tours offer a free purchasing service!
Please enjoy the exquisite garlic shrimp without waiting in line.
Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp
Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp is a famous garlic shrimp shop located in Kahuku on the North Shore.
There are no locations in other areas of Hawaii, making it a special shrimp shop that you can only eat at in Kahuku.
It has been selected as one of the “Top 5 Lunches to Eat in the US,” and tourists visit day after day for its reputed taste.
While many shrimp shops close around evening, this one stays open until night, which is a grateful point for those arriving late.
The shop is large, and service is quick, so it is especially recommended for those who want to eat popular garlic shrimp quickly without lining up!
Recommended Menu at Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp
The biggest feature is that they use large, plump shrimp compared to other shops!
The flavor is slightly strong, and the shrimp itself seems to be lightly seasoned as well.
The exquisite sauce is a bit creamy—neither too rich nor too light—and goes well with rice.
The popular menus are the two mainstays: Garlic & Butter and Spicy Garlic!
There are also Lemon Pepper, Original Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, Salt & Pepper, etc. There are no bad choices, so it’s good to look at the menu and order what catches your eye.
Personally, my number one recommendation is the Salt & Pepper; it is simple but the seasoning is exquisite.
The side menu sweet corn, known as Kahuku Corn, is also a specialty of this area!
Name Change from Fumi’s to Tanaka
Actually, Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp used to operate under the name Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp, with two locations including one slightly further away.
Due to the return of the land to the State of Hawaii, they had to relocate. At that time, Fumi’s withdrew, and the shop inherited Fumi’s recipes under the name Tanaka Kahuku Shrimp.
Fumi’s has now moved to the food court in Ala Moana Center, but the menu is almost the same with only slight differences, so going to either one is fine!
However, since the brand and shop names have changed, differences may emerge in the future, so if you are curious, please try both.
Famous Kahuku Shrimp
Famous Kahuku Shrimp is a hidden gem for garlic shrimp in Kahuku.
Since the owner is Korean, the seasoning suits Asian palates well!
It is not just a simple menu of shrimp and rice, but is served like a plate lunch with salad included.
The plenty of grated garlic and creamy sauce create an addictive taste that makes you want to eat it again and again.
It is a garlic shrimp shop with many die-hard fans, so please give it a try if you have the chance.
Recommended Menu at Famous Kahuku Shrimp
The recommendation at Famous Kahuku Shrimp is the classic Garlic Shrimp.
At ordinary garlic shrimp shops, the garlic flavor is overwhelmingly the most popular, but at Famous Kahuku Shrimp, the Hot & Spicy is also a strong seller, making them the two mainstays.
Both are types of plates where the pepper matches perfectly with the base sauce, making you unable to stop eating. Haha.
There are about 11 shrimp, which is slightly more than the average at other shops.
The sauce is poured generously over the cabbage and rice, so the volume is satisfying.
There are also seafood menus such as Mahimahi and Squid.
Romy’s
Romy’s is an original and authentic garlic shrimp shop in Kahuku on the North Shore.
In addition to shrimp with irresistible plump texture, their large and filling prawns are exquisite, making it a consistently popular shop with long lines!
Romy’s features big-sized shrimp served with the shell and head on, and they are the only place in Hawaii serving prawns.
Shrimp plates have 7-8 pieces, and prawns have 3-5 pieces per plate, but both are absolutely delicious and filling!
Since it is not fast food, it takes about 30 minutes to cook, and when there is a line, you may wait nearly an hour, but it is a dish worth the wait.
When thinking of local food in Hawaii, garlic shrimp comes to mind, so Romy’s is a must-check.
Recommended Menu at Romy’s
Romy’s has about 10 types of items on the menu, but first, we will introduce three classic dishes where you can’t go wrong.
Romy’s Most Popular, Butter & Garlic
Since it is a garlic shrimp shop, naturally the most popular item is this Butter & Garlic.
It contains an incredible amount of garlic, and the flavor of the sauce is exceptional.
The rice is laid out underneath, so the volume is quite heavy and substantial.
The side sauce provided is a spicy soy-based sauce, but it is delicious enough even without dipping!
By the way, if you really love garlic, you can increase the amount of garlic for an additional fee!
This is Extra Garlic, but there is also Extra Extra Garlic available.
However, personally, I felt that having too much garlic was a bit off-balance. Haha.
Romy’s 2nd Most Popular, Sweet & Spicy
This is the Sweet & Spicy, which looks a bit like chili shrimp.
You can choose from three levels of spiciness: Mild, Medium, and Spicy.
Mild is relatively sweet, and Spicy is quite hot, so Medium is recommended!
If you don’t specify, you get Mild, which has a seasoning that even people who are not good with spicy food can eat, with just a little kick.
This often sells out quite early in the day, so it is better to go early if you want to eat Sweet & Spicy.
Romy’s 3rd Most Popular, Steamed
At Romy’s, instead of grilled, boiled, or fried, they also have steamed shrimp!
The Steamed version is a menu item where the shrimp are steamed without special seasoning, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the natural taste of the ingredients.
Actually, the number of shrimp included differs depending on the plate you order at Romy’s.
The Steamed plate is a hidden popular menu packed with shrimp!
There are various types of dipping sauces, and actually, there is also a garlic butter sauce. Haha.
This is cocktail sauce, which is the most popular side sauce for shrimp.
By the way, the long wait time after ordering is a problem at Romy’s, but the fastest item to be ready among all menus is this Steamed shrimp!
When you order, they often tell you that if it’s steamed, they can serve it right away.
Well, even if they say one hour for Butter & Garlic, it often comes out in about 15 minutes. Haha.
Unique Menus for Hawaii Experts
Above, we introduced the classic and popular menus!
From here, we would like to introduce menus that you should definitely try if you have the chance.
Famous Prawns Only Available at Romy’s
This is Romy’s popular menu item that is so big it doesn’t fit on the plate. Haha.
Even though the size is large, the flavor isn’t bland; it feels like a different food from regular shrimp.
Since quantities are limited and they often sell out, we recommend going early if you are aiming for prawns.
It is as filling as it looks, and it is worth eating at least once.
Overwhelming Volume of Garlic Edamame
Edamame stir-fried in Romy’s special garlic sauce.
In Hawaii, tossing edamame in garlic sauce is a classic, so this is a dish where you can enjoy Hawaiian style.
Moreover, since it’s not just a generic garlic sauce but a sauce from a famous shop, it’s guaranteed to be good!
Since the edamame fills the plate with incredible volume, I think it is better to adjust by reducing the amount of shrimp a little when ordering edamame.
Li Hing Pineapple Perfect for Palate Cleansing
Since Romy’s garlic shrimp is characterized by plenty of garlic, your mouth will be full of garlic after the meal. Haha.
The recommended dessert for such times is this Li Hing Pineapple!
Li Hing is a salted plum powder that matches well with the sweetness of pineapple.
It has been eaten as a popular snack among locals in Hawaii for a long time.
A pineapple that looks bright red.
It is a food you rarely see outside of Hawaii, so please give it a try.
Prawn Fishing Experience at Romy’s Pond
*Due to Romy’s relocation, the prawn fishing experience has ended.
Behind Romy’s shop, there is actually an aquaculture pond.
It’s murky so you can’t see much, but various creatures like shrimp, prawns, carp, and catfish live there.
You used to be able to experience prawn fishing in that pond!
Experiencing prawn fishing while eating garlic shrimp is something you can’t do just anywhere!
When you put a piece of cut shrimp on the hook and drop it into the water, you could catch big ones like this.
The size depends on the season, so you wouldn’t catch this size every time, but you would surely catch a lot.
By the way, this is the type called prawn, which is one size larger than shrimp.
The staff would cook the prawns you caught right there, so you could enjoy them together with your shrimp plate.
Romy’s Store Relocation
As a pioneer of garlic shrimp, Romy’s operated in Kahuku starting in 1978 (and as a garlic shrimp shop since 1991).
Due to land restitution to the State of Hawaii, they have now moved to a location about 1km away.
The location marked by this bright red building and truck is now closed, so please be careful not to mistake it when visiting.
Other Recommended Garlic Shrimp Shops
In addition to the 5 shops introduced above, we would like to introduce 5 more.
Aloha Shrimp
A shrimp wagon located in the area called Hauula on the northeast side of Oahu.
Aloha Shrimp is also Korean style, and the punchy seasoning is very addictive!
The content of the plate resembles Fumi’s, but it feels like the seasoning is a bit stronger with garlic being more effective.
Since it is an area with not much around, please make it your first choice when you get hungry around here (near Kualoa Ranch).
Eggs ‘n Things
Eggs ‘n Things is famous for pancakes, but their garlic shrimp is also recommended!
It is a truly delicious dish that captures the essence of Hawaii while offering a unique flavor profile that is delicate and savory.
It is a rich and addictive dish where you could be satisfied with just the garlic-covered rice.
The volume is not that large, so it might be good to order one as an extra dish.
Camaron Shrimp Truck
A Japanese-owned shrimp wagon in Haleiwa Town!
Since it is introduced in various magazines and on TV, it is very well-known and recognized.
The seasoning suits delicate palates; it doesn’t have too much punch, but the creamy sauce is very delicious, making for an easy-to-eat plate.
A nice point is that they peel the shrimp for you.
Sam’s Kitchen
Speaking of garlic shrimp in Waikiki, Sam’s Kitchen is very famous!
The Hawaiian-style seasoning is reliable, and there is a rich variety of flavors so you won’t get bored.
And Sam’s original garlic sauce is exquisite.
The shrimp is peeled and easy to eat, so it is highly recommended when you want a quick plate lunch.
Big Wave Shrimp
Big Wave Shrimp in Haleiwa Town is also one of the famous shops!
They have a policy of full refund if it’s not delicious, showing their confidence in the taste.
In the past, the garlic was in small grains which I didn’t prefer much, but since the seasoning became richer, I have come to like it very much.
This plate is recommended for those who want to eat punchy garlic shrimp.