Rainbow Mall
2439 S. Kihei Rd., #A107
Kihei, HI 96753
808.875.7782

Da Kitchen

You don’t have to be local to love Da Kitchen, but it helps. Helps to expect gigantic portions of dishes such as kalbi ribs, chicken katsu, kalua pork, and island fish. Better still if you drool over ahi poke, even for breakfast, and  harbor an urge for loco moco so powerful that even six foot rollers can’t distract you from the longing.

Live in Hawaii,  or visit often, and you will join the ranks of people world-wide who dream of “da saimin” or plate lunch composed of chow funn and teriyaki beef.  Soon you will declare your food “ono” while pushing back from the table, reluctantly admitting you are “pau” before wrapping the rest to go. It’s all part of good eating Hawaiian style and Da Kitchen is consistently voted the best place on Maui in which to partake.

Lau Lau Plate

At Da Kitchen you can have it your way every day – platters served with the ubiquitous two scoops rice and potato macaroni salad or substitute a green salad if you are counting carbs (and just no fun). The Big Braddah Combo let’s you chose from the four most popular entrees, Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, Katsu or Kalua Pork for $9.75. If you’ve really been working hard lately or just haven’t eaten since blowing your last paycheck on new gear, go for the Sumotori Combo which includes three choices for $10.75. Although you’ll see many combos delivered at Da Kitchen, their Chinese Chicken Salad is also a mainstay, as hearty a salad can be with chunks of white chicken, cabbage wonton crisps, lettuce and delectable Asian style dressing. At Da Kitchen, anything offered is going to be right!

Breakfast is  BIG at Da Kitchen – big servings that is. Weigh in on the Loco Moco made with eggs topped with a hamburger, gravy, onions, mushroom and cheese for $9.75. The Hawaiian sweet bread batter dipped French Toast has a huge following. Served with a meat of the day, it’s enough for two at $8.25.

Da Kitchen Special Saimen

Mariah and Shanna with Katsu and Kalbi

Mariah Brown opened Da Kitchen in Kihei ten years ago and the Kahului branch five years later. Her personal appeal and energy has much to do with why the place  is always bustling and always fun. A mostly young enthusiastic crowd packs the booths and tables while a seemingly continuous stream of carry-out orders parade through the large space. Everyone always seems so happy here – especially the busy servers who help make it a joy to dine at Da Kitchen though none look as if they’ve ever pigged out in their young lives. (Must be all that running and smiling.)

As for us, we’re always content just to be there scarfing down local favorites for a song.