Happy Every Day

Happy Every Day

A Hawaiian vacation is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. When visiting in Hawaii, you won’t want to miss Honolulu, a big, attractive, clean, and safe city like none other in the world. It is also the commercial & government center for Hawaii and home to some of the world’s best beaches.

After feasting your eyes on Honolulu’s beautiful scenery and white sand beaches its time for something more. In order to have a perfect Hawaiian vacation, you’re going to have to reward yourself to the max by searching for the best restaurants in Oahu. Those in the mood for exotic oriental cuisine should take a walk over to Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant on Waialae Avenue.

Without being too eye-catching, Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant stills attracts foodies like a rare gem because of its great word of mouth. Its signage is neither a stylish grand entrance nor colorful flashing neon lights but the gatepost couplet with golden metal Chinese characters hints at what is in store for those lucky customers who decide to have a meal there. The Chinese characters when translated to English mean, “Fortune will shine on you and your spirits will soar if you come to Happy Days.”

Eat Happily

Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant is a classic Hong Kong style Chinese restaurant replete with a home-like ambiance and dedicated staff. Mr. Chan and Lisa Ng Lum own the restaurant together and have been serving the locals of Honolulu since 2000. Online reviewers have been raving about the restaurant since day one. One particularly satisfied foodie wrote, “Quick service, kid friendly, consistent and reliable, Happy Days is an institution.”

“Lisa is in charge of the front and I take care of the kitchen,” says Mr. Chen, who is already in his seventies but looks 10 years younger. They’ve been business partners so long that they know each other through and through. Their philosophy when it comes to running this successful eatery is to make sure that the customers “Eat Happily.”

The Touch of Heart

Start an action packed day with Happy Days’ dim sum. The restaurant has become the official dim sum spot for many locals. Everyday from 8am-2pm, multitier carts circulate about the restaurant bringing over 25 different types of dim sum right to each table. Hot items are served in bamboo baskets, which is the most traditional way to serve dim sum in Cantonese culture.

The dim sum menu at Happy Days has all the usual favorites. Try the standout baked BBQ Pork Bun (Char Siu Bun), steamed Siu Mai, Har Gau, and creamy Egg Tart. These delightful items which are cooked to perfection will tingle your taste buds and leave you wanting to order seconds.

Any of you who are curious about the name Lo Mai Gai should have a try of Happy Days’s vast selection of dim sum items. Lo Mai, in Cantonese, means Mochi rice and Gai stands for chicken. This must-try dim sum item is a cube-shaped amalgamation of mochi rice, chicken, black mushrooms and Cantonese sausage wrapped in lotus leaves.

Homey Food and More

Dim sum is a great choice for those who are looking to have a relaxing morning. However, dim sum is not the only thing worth talking about on Happy Days’ menu. For a quick lunch or a relaxing dinner, stop in at Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant. A large variety of exquisitely prepared Chinese food with colorful textures and aromatic flavors will fill you up.

Mr. Chan recommends Shrimp w. Walnut, Crispy Skin Chicken, and Minute Chicken. Hong Kong Style Cold Ginger Chicken and Orange Chicken are also popular. Seafood including fish, oyster, and scallops can be prepared in various ways depending on what customers are looking for.

According to one of the regulars the Cantonese BBQ food is to die for. Two of the other standout dishes are the Char Siu and the Roast Duck. The owners say the Char Siu and Roast Duck have the perfect fat to meat ratio. So when you bite them into a piece, it's the perfect combination of textures from the silky fat to the flavorful and moist meat. “This is by far the best I’ve tried,” raves Yelp.com reviewer.

“Cantonese food is light in flavor, and never looks oily nor tastes greasy,” explains Mr. Chen. He and his kitchen staff make every effort to reduce the amount of oil and salt used to prepare orders to ensure that the restaurant is preparing the healthiest meals possible.

About Service

Lisa and Mr. Chen’s goal is to be sure the customers come with high expectations and leave happy. To them, running a restaurant is more than just offering food but also making sure to pair it with exceptional service. Dealing with different customers everyday, the owner’s method is to analyze the dining experience that the restaurant provides its customer with and then correct any deficiencies when they are discovered. “Only in this way can we keep minor issues from developing into major ones,” Chen says.

Here at Happy Days, all of the staff members are trained to be professional and attentive. They can always be found with sincere smiles on there face and will never argue with customers. Meetings are held by Mr. Chen periodically to praise exemplary performance and also to discuss any possible areas that can be improved.

“We are clear about what our customers want,” Lisa says adding, “and because of that our chefs have learned to provide exactly what they are looking for.” The kitchen caters to customers by fixing each dish exactly how they want it no matter what.

Climbing Up the Ladder

Happy Days pioneered customized set meals in the Hawaiian Chinese restaurant scene. This restaurant has gradually become one of the premier destinations for fans of Chinese food from not only Oahu but also from other islands and beyond.

The owners’ secret to success is paying close attention to the restaurant’s environment, service, and food quality. This is the only way for a restaurant to grow during a financial crisis. In the future, Lisa and Mr. Chen will continue to strive to provide more up-to-date fare at reasonable prices for all their loyal customers.


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Name: Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant

Phone: 808-738-8666

Location: 3553 Waialae Ave. Honolulu, HI 96816