Romy’s is the original and authentic garlic shrimp shack located in Kahuku on the North Shore.
In addition to their irresistibly plump shrimp, their large and hearty prawns are exquisite, making it a popular spot that always has a line!
Romy’s is known for serving large, head-on shrimp and is the only place in Hawaii that offers prawns.
A plate of shrimp comes with 7-8 pieces, while a plate of prawns has 3-5, but both are incredibly delicious and generously portioned!
It’s not fast food, so cooking can take 30 minutes, and when there’s a line, you might wait nearly an hour. However, it’s a dish well worth the wait.
Garlic shrimp is a quintessential Hawaiian comfort food, so Romy’s is a must-visit spot you should check out!
Romy’s Recommended Menu Items
Romy’s has about 10 different menu items in total, but first, let’s introduce three classic dishes you can’t go wrong with.
Romy’s #1 Favorite: Butter & Garlic
As a garlic shrimp place, it’s no surprise that the Butter & Garlic is their most popular dish.
It’s loaded with an incredible amount of garlic, and the seasoning of the sauce is exceptional.
The rice is packed underneath, making for a very hearty and filling meal.
It comes with a savory and spicy soy-based sauce on the side, but it’s delicious enough even without it!
By the way, if you’re a big fan of garlic, you can get even more for an additional charge!
This is the extra garlic, but they also have an extra, extra garlic option!
Personally, though, I felt that too much garlic was a bit overwhelming. Haha.
Romy’s #2 Favorite: Sweet & Spicy
This is the Sweet & Spicy, which looks a bit like chili shrimp.
You can choose from three spice levels: Mild, Medium, or Spicy.
The Mild is quite sweet, and the Spicy is very hot, so Medium is the recommended choice!
If you don’t specify, you’ll get the Mild, which has just a slight kick and is suitable even for those who don’t handle spicy food well.
This one tends to sell out early in the day, so if you want to try the Sweet & Spicy, it’s best to go early.
Romy’s #3 Favorite: Steamed
At Romy’s, you can also get steamed shrimp, not just grilled, boiled, or fried!
The Steamed shrimp is simply steamed without any particular seasoning, so it’s recommended for those who want to enjoy the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Actually, the number of shrimp you get at Romy’s varies depending on the plate you order.
The Steamed plate is a hidden gem, packed with a generous amount of shrimp!
There are various sauces available on the side, and believe it or not, they even have a garlic butter sauce. Haha.
This is the cocktail sauce, which is the most popular dipping sauce for shrimp.
While Romy’s is known for its long wait times after ordering, the Steamed shrimp is the quickest dish to be served!
When you order, they often tell you that the Steamed plate can be served right away.
That said, even if they quote an hour for the Butter & Garlic, it often comes out in about 15 minutes. Haha.
Unique Menu Items for the Seasoned Hawaii Visitor
Above, we introduced the classic and popular menu items!
From here, we’ll introduce some other dishes you should definitely try if you have the chance.
The Famous Prawns You Can Only Get at Romy’s
One of Romy’s popular dishes, so big it barely fits on the plate. Haha.
Despite their large size, they’re not bland at all; they feel like a completely different food from the shrimp.
They’re available in limited quantities and often sell out, so if you’re aiming for the prawns, it’s best to go early.
They are as hearty as they look and are definitely worth trying at least once!
Garlic Edamame with Overwhelming Volume
Edamame sautéed in Romy’s special garlic sauce.
Tossing edamame in garlic sauce is a local favorite in Hawaii, so this dish lets you enjoy that authentic Hawaiian style.
And since it’s not just any garlic sauce but the sauce from a famous establishment, you know it’s going to be good!
The edamame is packed onto the plate, creating a huge portion, so you might want to adjust by ordering fewer shrimp if you get the edamame.
Li Hing Pineapple: The Perfect Palate Cleanser
Romy’s garlic shrimp is characterized by its generous amount of garlic, so your mouth will definitely taste like garlic afterward. Haha.
For times like that, the recommended dessert is this Li Hing Pineapple!
Li hing is a powder made from dried plums, and it pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pineapple.
It has long been a popular local snack in Hawaii.
The pineapple has a striking bright red appearance.
It’s a treat you don’t often see outside of Hawaii, so be sure to give it a try.
Prawn Fishing Experience at Romy’s Pond
Note: Due to Romy’s relocation, the prawn fishing experience is no longer available.
Behind the original Romy’s location was a cultivation pond.
The water was murky, so it was hard to see, but it was home to various creatures like shrimp, prawns, carp, and catfish.
And at that pond, you could actually experience prawn fishing!
It was a rare opportunity to go prawn fishing while waiting for your garlic shrimp!
When you attached a piece of shrimp to the hook and dropped it in the water, you could catch ones this big.
The size depended on the season, so you weren’t guaranteed to catch one this size every time, but you could surely catch plenty!
By the way, these are the prawns, which are one size larger than the shrimp.
The staff would cook the prawns you caught on the spot, so you could enjoy them along with your shrimp plate.
Romy’s Relocation
Romy’s has been operating in Kahuku since 1978 (and as a garlic shrimp spot since 1991), establishing itself as the original.
Due to the return of the land to the State of Hawaii, it has now relocated to a spot about a kilometer away.
The location marked by the bright red building and truck has closed, so please be careful not to go to the wrong place when you visit.
Romy’s: Basic Information
| Name | Romy’s |
| Address | 56-1030 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Friday – Tuesday) |
| Closed | Wednesday, Thursday |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
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