Char Hung Sut for Legendary Manapua (Steamed Buns) in Honolulu

By Mark Wiens 11 Comments
Goodies from Char Hung Sut, Honolulu, Hawaii
Goodies from Char Hung Sut, Honolulu, Hawaii

Ever since I was a child I can remember the glorious takeaway flavors from Char Hung Sut.

Famous as one of the most beloved places to get Hawaii style dim sum (since 1946), especially pork siu mai, and char siu bao (known as manapua, and similar to Chinese baozi), Char Hung Sut is a legend in Honolulu.

Simple and good
Simple and good

The menu is very simple, offering only a few items of the finest quality dumplings and steamed buns, and also chow fun noodles, which I don’t think I’ve ever tried before here, but is does look good.

Also, I normally avoid the sweets, but many people I know enjoy the steamed Chinese rice cakes – I personally go for salty.

Char Hung Sut - here's the sign you're looking for
Char Hung Sut – here’s the sign you’re looking for

Char Hung Sut is located on the edge of Honolulu’s Chinatown, on Pauahi Street.

You can sometimes find a quick parking spot on the side of the street, but it’s often better to go with someone else in the car so you can run into the shop as the other person waits in the car.

Inside Char Hung Sut
Inside Char Hung Sut

It is only a takeaway restaurant, and you walk into the door, which sort of looks like a warehouse, to grab your goodies.

Char Hung Sut, Honolulu, Hawaii
Char Hung Sut, Honolulu, Hawaii

Walk in the door, and it won’t take more than a few minutes for them to box up your order, wrap it into a package and you’re on your way. The staff are always friendly and pretty quick.

All things delicious in a box
All things delicious in a box

Most of the time I like to takeaway my treats and go to the beach or go back home to devour them all, but this particular time when I went, because I wanted to make a video, I had to get a taste immediately outside the shop.

Pork hash
Look at those shining pork hash

My two favorite things on the menu at Char Hung Sut are the steamed char siu bao and the pork hash siu mai; Every time I go, those are the two items I can’t wait to eat.

But the last time I went, I decided to try a few more items like the mai tai soo and a few half moon dumplings as well.

My present, ready to be unwrapped
My present, ready to be unwrapped
Pork hash, squished between other delicious morsels
Pork hash, squished between other delicious morsels

Let’s begin with the pork hash, the item I had to choose as my first bite.

The pork was sweet and moist, steamed, and sort of melting into the fresh wan tan noodle wrapper. I’m a big fan of their pork hash, always a nostalgic comforting flavor and texture.

Price – $0.75 per piece

Half moons at Char Hung Sut
Half moons at Char Hung Sut

I then grabbed one of the half moons, a dim sum type of dumpling loaded with shredded pieces of char siu pork and lots of diced water chestnuts.

They were good, and I loved the filling, but the outer dough was a little on the thick side for me. Still, they were delicious.

Price – $0.75 per piece

Inside the mai tai soo
Inside the mai tai soo

Moving on to the mai tai soo, something that’s pretty famous at Char Hung Sut and many people rave about, though of all the times I’ve been there, this was my first time to have it.

It’s a baked good, sort of like Chinese pastry dough with a combination of char siu (Chinese barbecue pork) mixture. The outside dough was flaky and sweet, and the meat filling was nice and salty. Overall though, I’m still more of a fan of the manapua and the pork hash.

Price – $0.75 per piece

Char Hung Sut
It’s almost impossible not to love the char siu bao at Char Hung Sut

Last but not least, I saved my mouth energy for the char siu manapua, one of the ultimate Hawaiian Chinese creations. They only make the steamed version with char siu, not the baked kind, and they do it exceptionally well.

Price – $1.50

Big, fluffy, and packed with meat - Hawaiian style char siu bao
Big, fluffy, and packed with meat – Hawaiian style char siu bao

They are big and fluffly, and absolutely packed with shredded char siu, and steamed to perfection. In my opinion, the char siu manapua is what Char Hung Sut is all about, it’s my favorite item they serve.

Char Hung Sut, Honolulu, Hawaii

Address: 64 N. Pauahi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone number: 808 538 3335
Open hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 5:30 am – 2 pm, Sunday from 5:30 am – 1 pm, Tuesday is closed

How to get there:

Char Hung Sut is located on the edge of Chinatown. From Beretania street, make a left on Nuuanu St., then turn right on Pauahi St., pass through Smith St., and Char Hung Sut will be right on the corner on your right hand side.

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  • getting over it

    3 months ago

    This article effectively conveys the charm and deliciousness of Char Hung Sut. It makes me want to book a trip to Hawaii just to try those manapua!

  • amanda the adventurer

    3 months ago

    I tried this and it’s delicious!

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    1 year ago

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  • High Rated Gabru

    3 years ago

    Nice blog post. Keep writing.

  • sankar singh

    3 years ago

    HAWAIIAN STYLE CHAR SIU BAO nice food…

  • Owen Thatcher

    3 years ago

    This place, Char Hung Sut, sounds like a historical one. Will definitely add it to my to do list along with the food items you mentioned!

  • sheila

    10 years ago

    Happened to come across your videos as I am a single woman that is going to be travelling Nairobi and do an African safari…. I simply could not stop watching and learning about you. Very fascinating life you have led. Any advise for myself from you would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! Sheila

  • The Guy

    10 years ago

    These all look amazing and at a great price too. Your pictures are so clear I can almost taste those dumplings.