Kam Bowl Restaurant — Restaurant in Honolulu

I’ve been dining at this place since the late 60’s when it was Kenny’s Coffeehouse / Restaurant. It’s been Kam Bowl since 2016; an amalgamation of Kenny’s and what used to be the restaurant in Kam Bowl a block away. The latter was originally Kapiolani Coffee Shop, located in the Aloha Motors building on Kapiolani and Atkinson. Ah, memories; this tells you how old I am. To me (the new) Kam Bowl hasn’t changed all that much in 50-plus years. That’s not a bad thing … We need the “old-time”, “classic” diners like Flamingo, Columbia Inn, Kapiolani Coffee Shop, et al to remain in business as they serve local style comfort food.

My father and I used to frequent Kam Bowl to get the oxtail soup. Just like the soup at Kapiolani Coffee Shop, the broth at Kam Bowl is thin and clear, what I understand to be Chinese style. Other places offer a darker, heartier broth which I’ve been told is Okinawan style, like the one from the long-gone Bowling City Coffee Shop (on Alapai St) where I worked as a fry cook in 1970. Why is it that the best oxtail soups seem to be found in restaurants located in bowling alleys?

Back to the matter at hand, I met two of my high school band mates for lunch and reminisced over the good times we shared in the 60s. We each had a sandwich and fries and coffee; mine was a BBQ Chicken sandwich that came in a hamburger bun. The time before, I tried the Chef’s Salad. The food hasn’t changed, and the booths and counters seem untouched by time. The place was filled with diners, even at 2pm.

I like Kam Bowl. It’s conveniently located and there is ample parking if one remembers to park on the second floor of the parking structure. The food is decent and the prices...

Basic local diner, and prices are average. Came for breakfast it was first time but heard about it for years. The server basically ruined the meal. I guess they don't think highly of themselves as a restaurant because they're expectations are low. She don'td bother to suggest anything gave us menus walked away. I was craving mashed potatoes and planned my choice around it. The server came by asked if we were ready I was still looking she walked away before I could even ask a question. She took forever to come back. When she finally did she explain they only have mashed potatoes on Thursday which wantwa on the menu at all. I said that changes things I'm not ready she just walked away again without trying to help. She came back again and I said they should have put that in the menu because she just said ok well I'll going to help someone else. I explained how bout you help me find something explain the menu or let me ask a question! I've been a server for many years. She gives servers a bad name. Have some respect for yourself, the profession and your restaurant!! You put a sour taste in my mouth before I even ordered food. I'm not trying to get her in trouble so I won't put her name. But I hope the owner reads this and realizes there is room for...

First I have to say what I miss the most is the 1st Kam Bowl Restaurant. I practically grew up there and if the bowling alley itself still remained across the street where it would still be open if the bowling alley was still open. Reason for the 4**'s for Atmosphere. As for the New Kam Bowl Restaurant in the Kam Shopping Center the food is just as good as the original one and if course everything is new and fresh and so is the service and the bigger size so now there is no waiting for a table as far as anytime I've been there. Of course the Oxtail Soul is still the number 1 favorite and the fried rice. I used to love the Teri burger and the awesome French fries and my daily cup of coffee except for now it's made in a bigger better lot but it's still just as good to sit down and have your coffee waiting on their awesome breakfast plates and sides. I also enjoy the price for an inside restaurant and the prices have gotten higher but it's bcuz of the bigger size, newly designed atmosphere and a lot more waitresses and help needs to run the new restaurant so it totally understandable. All around for Kam Bowl Restaurant still one of the best restaurants in the Kalihi area. Love it....