Mandalay Restaurant

The gist: Small-scale dim sum and upscale Chinese banquets are served in an elegant dining space in Kaimuki.
The food: Many people wondered where the Mandalay, which had occupied a huge space in downtown, had moved to. It’s now in a much smaller space on Waialae Avenue, which is better due to all the COVID mandates. You can still order their dim sum for lunch from a very basic, limited menu, but people are booking their small, private rooms (which seats six to ten people) for dinner. The restaurant works with you on items depending on your budget, but no matter what, be sure to order the char siu. They only use fresh pork and a proprietary marinade, so it needs to be ordered 48 hours in advance. Other popular banquet items include Peking duck, clay pot oxtail, shrimp paste chicken wings, and lobster yi-mein.
The cost: Basic dim sum is about $4 to $8 per basket. Appetizers are $10-18; chicken, pork, and beef dishes are $14-15; seafood dishes are $17-21; rice and noodle dishes are $13-17; and vegetable, tofu, and clay pot dishes are $14-18. Roasted duck is $20 for half and $38 for whole; Peking duck with buns is $22 for half and $42 for whole. The char sui is $40 or $20 for just one order. Canned drinks are $2.50 and diners can BYOB.
How to book: Call 808-525-8585 for reservations or takeout orders.