




Lobster King
About
Cantonese Classics in the Heart of Honolulu
When the neon sign flickers to life on Kapiolani Boulevard, locals know exactly where to head for late-night cravings. Lobster King has earned its reputation as a cornerstone of Honolulu’s dining scene, specifically for those seeking authentic Cantonese-style seafood served in an unpretentious, high-energy environment. The dining room hums with the clatter of porcelain and the lively chatter of multi-generational families sharing large platters.
Signature Crustaceans and Wok-Fired Flavors
The star of the show is undeniably the salt and pepper lobster. Arriving at the table steaming, the shells are expertly cracked, making it easy to access the succulent, ginger-scented meat. Beyond the signature dish, the kitchen excels at traditional preparations like steamed fish with scallions and soy, or hearty clay pot rice dishes that arrive bubbling with a savory aroma. You’ll notice the distinct scent of garlic and black bean sauce hitting the air the moment the swinging kitchen doors open.
The Experience
This isn't a place for hushed whispers; the atmosphere is boisterous and communal. It is the ideal spot for a post-event dinner or a casual night out with a large group. One thing to keep in mind: parking in this bustling pocket of the city can be a bit of a puzzle, so arrive with a little patience. Whether you are a long-time resident or a visitor wanting a break from tourist-heavy Waikiki menus, this institution provides a genuine taste of the island's deep-rooted connection to Cantonese culinary traditions.
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Amenities & Features
Location
1380 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814-2007
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 99 community reviewsFf FanGoogle Maps
Recently
가끔 하와이 살때 들리던 중국요리 식당입니다 바다가재 요리로 유명하지요. If you are visiting Hawaii from Mainland or Korea, you should try this Chinese restaurant. Their specialty is lobster 🦞 Mainland with garlic and oyster sauce. Resonable price for the lobster. Other dishes are fine too. Such as sweet and sour pork, mapa topu, sizzling soup, and seafood. Parking is available behind the restaurant. Bathrooms are available inside the restaurant. You will not disappointed.
yh guGoogle Maps
Recently
Best Cantonese restaurant in Oahu!! Been back 2 days in a Roll, no where else has their fresh seafood, king clam was awesome thank you to the chef! Love the tofu clam soup, and of course the lobster!
Karim CardonaGoogle Maps
Recently
The Crown Jewel of King Street: A Seafood Feast You Can’t Miss If you are looking for a quiet, white-tablecloth candlelight dinner, keep walking. But if you want the real Honolulu seafood experience—bustling, loud, authentic, and absolutely delicious—Lobster King is the undisputed monarch. From the moment you walk in, the energy hits you. The walls are lined with tanks of massive live lobsters and crabs, promising a freshness you can literally see. It’s casual, family-style dining at its finest, where the plates are huge and the flavors are bold
Catherine DongGoogle Maps
Recently
one of the best restaurants! the service was amazing! lobsters and abalones are very fresh! they're so generous that they even gave us shrimps for free! the price is also not expensive!
Anna BaatzGoogle Maps
Recently
For years we've driven past and always wondered, but never take the plunge, until now. We had an absolutely amazing dinner here. I made sure to call 24hrs in advance to order their specialty, roasted squab, since we were feeling adventurous. Da pigeon (aka squab) was mean! Just like a super tender, juicy, flavorful miniature Peking duck. They also gave us complimentary salted egg yolk stir fried prawns since we ordered several dishes. The service was friendly and it was packed inside. Lobster was of course pretty good but their specialty Chinese broccoli and Squab were our favorites. Would love to come back with a big group and try more! :)
Amanda NiGoogle Maps
Recently
One of the best Chinese food we’ve had in Oahu! Love the fish, abalone, crab soup and the chicken. The staff there are super friendly :)
iONs OffroadGoogle Maps
Recently
I have never experienced racial profiling in my 52 years—until this visit. It was a truly horrible experience. My wife is Korean, and because I was with her, we were treated with clear disrespect that I would not wish on anyone. We travel across the U.S. roughly 250 days a year and have been doing so for over six years. We spend our winters in Hawaii for both work and personal reasons, so we are not unfamiliar with dining here. That said, this was by far one of the most uncomfortable experiences we’ve had. If you are not Asian or not a local, I would strongly suggest avoiding this place. While the food itself was excellent, the service was not. Our waitress, Sonya, was dismissive and unwelcoming—avoid her if possible. In contrast, the gentleman who seated us was very pleasant and went out of his way to help. I genuinely believe he noticed how poorly we were being treated and tried to make up for it. To make matters worse, we were told they were out of lobster. However, the couple seated behind us ordered lobster shortly afterward. When I attempted to order it again, I was denied. Do better!! Also I was told that the King Crab was 800$
Maricel Jane MendaviaGoogle Maps
Recently
Came here for the first time! Service was very fast and servers were attentive! What we ate: Lobster with ginger onion - super yummy and tasty, tender, and fantastic! Tip dip the lobster in the lemon water for an even tastier bite! Crispy seafood noodles - very delicious, they cut the noodles into squares so it's easier to eat, the gravy and seafood were all cooked to perfection very tender and yummy! Fried salt and pepper squid legs - nothing short of amazing! The squid legs were long and big! Super ono! Highly recommend this place, they have bigger, which I love! Parking is to the side of building! Free parking! Will definitely come back !
JudyGoogle Maps
Recently
This was recommended by a local. Food highlight of the trip. A whole in the wall chinese restaurant that serves seafood galore. Interesting there is a section for korean Chinese food as well. When the restaurant is full of Chinese people, you know it will be good. The lobster is a must!! You can pick the size and preparation. For 5 people we got a 3lb salt and peppered lobster. Black bean clams was good as well and the clams were pretty large.
Mario SupriaGoogle Maps
Recently
I had a wonderful meal at the Lobster King in Honolulu, believe me! It's the king of seafood. I went all in, tried almost everything, and let me tell you, the food was fantastic. The crab, the oysters, every single thing was perfect. The service was great—very classy! If you're in Honolulu and looking for top-notch seafood, this is the place to go. Loved it
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