Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#305 of 1,736 Restaurants in Honolulu Chinese

Water Drop Vegetarian House

4.6(37 community reviews)
Budget ($)

About

Discover Water Drop Vegetarian House, offering the best Asian experience in Downtown / Chinatown. Enjoy Budget ($) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Peaceful Escape in the Heart of Honolulu

Tucked away within the quiet, contemplative grounds of the Fo Guang Shan Hawaii temple, this vegetarian sanctuary offers a refreshing shift from the typical tourist pace of O'ahu. The space is bright and minimalist, filled with the faint scent of sandalwood incense and the soft clatter of ceramic tea sets. It’s the kind of place where locals head when they need a quiet, meat-free lunch that won't weigh them down before an afternoon hike.

Simplicity on a Plate

The menu focuses on wholesome, temple-style vegetarian cuisine. The signature spicy noodles are a crowd favorite, offering a clean heat that builds slowly, paired with fresh, crisp bok choy. You will also find hearty bowls of soup and delicate dumplings that prioritize the natural flavor of local vegetables over heavy sauces. It is straightforward, unpretentious cooking that feels like a home-cooked meal.

What to Expect

Visiting this spot requires a bit of patience, as service moves at a mindful, deliberate speed. It is not a place for a rushed business meeting; it is where you go to sit for an hour, sip on house-made tea, and listen to the gentle hum of the surrounding courtyard. Keep in mind that finding street parking near the temple can occasionally be a challenge, so plan for a short walk through the neighborhood. Whether you follow a strictly plant-based diet or just crave a light, vegetable-forward meal, the Water Drop Vegetarian House is an essential stop for anyone exploring the quieter side of Honolulu dining.

Photos

Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Water Drop Vegetarian House - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

801 Alakea St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813-4612

Directions

Reviews

Showing 9 of 37 community reviews
S

Steve ChangGoogle Maps

Recently

Overall a decent lunch spot. Paid street parking where you can find it. Price to food quality is good and the line moves fast enough. Worth pinning for a veg option.

심재용Google Maps

Recently

They said everything Vegan for the menu. But there is egg noodle. And they don't know what they are selling. What is the ingredient for their menu. I can't trust this restaurant anymore.

A

Amalina AriffinGoogle Maps

Recently

Affordable and healthy if you're looking for plant based food! Everyday they change the menu and you have about 10 items to choose of the menu and you can choose how many side dishes you'd like, the portions are very generous and I always have to take some leftovers back with me. I love Asian vegetarian food because they're very creative with their dishes and provide meal substitute that still makes you feel full. They also sell the substitute meat and other ingredients frozen which I find helpful. Parking around the area is hard to find and also expensive, the public parking lots nearby would cost $6 per hour.

S

Sarah HorngGoogle Maps

Recently

This place reminds me of the vegan bento places in taiwan and my mom’s Taiwanese home cooking. I love that the food isn’t overly salted or oily. Only wish was that the hours wasn’t only m-f 11am to 2pm 😂 I came by quickly for lunch during work to be able to try it! They have dairy and egg in some of their pastries but they’re mostly vegan spot. They rotate diff dishes every day. Parking is tough… meters around the building. But 100% worth it if you’re in the mood of lighter Chinese food fare… or miss home cooked meals! Staff is super friendly!

B

Big Fish Dive ClubGoogle Maps

Recently

Update: we’ve been coming here every week since our “discovery”. Each time we tried something different and tasty. Today I had 羅漢齋and 三杯「素」雞. This is by far the best vegetarian cafe in Honolulu. Note: if you’d like some sponge cakes ($2 each) or Japanese cheesecake ($10) , then you will need to be there before 11:30 a.m. For two days in a row I waited too long and was unable to buy any. We stumbled upon this gem on our way back to Waikiki and didn’t realize it was operated by the volunteers from Foguan Shan (佛光山), a non-profit Buddhism organization. We’ve been to Foguan Shan in California and have eaten at their food hall countless times. We arrived just before closing so the choices were limited, but nonetheless all the food we had was very tasty as you can feel the efforts the volunteers have put into the food here. The chow main was very good and the veggie balls were excellent. Next time we need to come earlier and try its other choices. The sitting area was clean and comfortable. The volunteers were kind and friendly. Afterward, we took a quick tour of its place of worship upstairs, which is highly recommended to all who hasn’t been there yet.

K

KogeBGoogle Maps

Recently

5 out of 5 stars for sure! This is a Buddhist restaurant meaning everything is vegetarian. However don’t think you’re going to chew some grass. Every thing is cooked, with options for tofu, rice, noodles, turnip cakes, vegetables. I always opt for four choices $18. Then I get to taste many options. Parking nearby streets or in front of the post office. Make sure you pay parking because downtown is patrolled pretty often.

C

CharGoogle Maps

Recently

My friend raved about this place And I was very hesitant when I saw vegetarian but I've been to some good vegetarian places. This definitely is what you would imagine if you decided to go on a diet and food decided to die. Everything was very flavorless and I will go my entire life without ever eating here again. Maybe this is just the level of yumminess vegetarians are used to but I wouldn't even say that the problem was that it was vegetarian because I've had some good vegetarian food before. The noodles were dry. They had no sauce and no flavor and all of the proteins were kind of mushy. It wasn't awful, I just would never pay for it again

L

Lala808Google Maps

Recently

Very tasty vegetarian plate lunch place in downtown Honolulu. They don’t have many entree options. The popular one sells out fast so you’d have to wait for the next batch to be made. Worth the wait, but if you don’t have time, whatever they have on the spot is very good. I don’t normally like fast food type of fried noodles but I liked theirs very much. They will be closed for one month for renovation work. Look forward to going back when they return.

M

Marie RobeckGoogle Maps

Recently

First time in a vegetarian restaurant and it was delicious! We went here on Thursday and the menu is different every day. I had the tofu and omg it is super super delicious! The price was reasonable and affordable. You will leave the restaurant feeling full and not feeling sluggish. Good food, enough space for a party of 2-6. Support local!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Water Drop Vegetarian House

Common questions from diners about Water Drop Vegetarian House in Honolulu.

While the menu focuses on plant-based Chinese cuisine, please note that some pastries or specific noodle dishes may contain dairy or eggs. It is recommended to ask the volunteer staff about specific ingredients.

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