Giovanni’s is the most popular garlic shrimp among Hawaii’s local comfort foods.
There is no other plate lunch that beats this exquisitely seasoned garlic shrimp.
Among the many shops, the seasoning at Giovanni’s is exceptional, and you will undoubtedly be hooked once you try it!
I am so addicted to it that I eat it about once a week. lol
Please be sure to stop by at least once during your stay in Hawaii.
The Most Popular Menu Item: Scampi
Giovanni’s scampi might just be the most delicious food in Hawaii.
The flavor called scampi refers to garlic, so please be careful not to order a different flavor by mistake.
The original garlic sauce soaked into the plump shrimp is simply the best!
To be honest, you could be satisfied just with the rice and garlic. lol
As a piece of advice on how to eat it, many people peel the shells off right away, but the sauce on these shells is exquisite, so eating it that way is a waste!
The secret trick to making it ten times more delicious is to first suck on the shrimp with the shell on, and then bite into the shrimp while leaving the sauce in your mouth.
Also, a lot of flies are attracted by the smell of garlic, but if you squeeze the provided lemon over it, many of them will leave because they dislike that scent.
The Spiciest Hot & Spicy in Hawaii
The Hot & Spicy item has “No Refunds” written on the menu. lol
This is because it is so spicy that a succession of people ask to return it.
It is truly spicy enough to be considered a dare, so unless you love extremely spicy food or want to challenge your limits, you should pass on it!
By the way, even the staff at the shop say it is a mystery why it gets so spicy.
The seasoning is very simple; it consists of shrimp stir-fried with the hot sauce you receive when ordering scampi, but the sauce itself has a common level of spiciness.
Because it is cooked and served piping hot, it might feel even spicier.
It is recommended to order the scampi, get the hot sauce on the side, and dip the shrimp in it to eat.
Light and Healthy Lemon & Butter
If you do not like garlic, please try the Lemon & Butter by all means.
The shrimp is boiled with a lemon flavor, resulting in a fairly light taste.
It feels like the slight saltiness and the sourness of the lemon bring out the natural flavor of the shrimp.
The provided butter sauce also goes perfectly with the lemon!
For those who unfortunately have a shellfish allergy, there is a garlic hot dog on the menu, so at the very least, you can enjoy the delicious garlic.
You can also ask them to replace the hot dog bun with rice, and when they do, they will pour plenty of garlic sauce over the rice.
Giovanni’s Plate Sizes and Volume
There are two sizes for Giovanni’s plates.
The regular plate comes with 12 shrimp and 2 scoops of rice per dish.
To give you an idea of the volume, it is just about the right amount to fill up an adult woman.
The half plate comes with 6 shrimp and 1 scoop of rice per dish.
The price and the size are both exactly cut in half, so you can feel their kindness. lol
Therefore, if you want to try various flavors, ordering two half sizes is also a great option!
Giovanni’s Operates Three Locations
Giovanni’s has a total of three locations in Hawaii.
The main location is in Kahuku on the North Shore, the second location is also on the North Shore in Haleiwa Town, and the third location is inside H Mart (a Korean supermarket) in Kakaako.
The two North Shore locations are food truck style, while the Kakaako location is a storefront.
Being allowed to scribble on the trucks is a famous feature, so please try writing something when you visit the North Shore locations.
If you ask the staff, they will lend you a pen!
Additionally, because it is so popular that you might wait for about an hour even on weekdays, Aloalo Travel’s tours offer a free purchasing service.
Please enjoy the exquisite garlic shrimp without having to wait in line.
Basic Information on Giovanni’s
| Name | Giovanni’s |
| Address | 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 10:30 am – 6:30 pm (Main location) *Business hours vary by location. |
| Closed | None |
| Restroom | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
| Locations | 3 locations in total (Kahuku, Haleiwa, Kakaako) |
| URL | Official Website |
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