Dalu Hawaiian BBQ Oceanside — Restaurant in Oceanside

Hawaiian food is a strange thing. Mainlanders think it's all Luau's and pineapples, but as a Filipino with family roots in Hawaii it's actually surprising how much of a cultural mix that makes up Hawaiian food. Portuguese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, etc.

Recently Poke has taken over the Island food scene, but what we see here, I call "chipoke".

I recently took a job nearby and i'm eating here weekly. As i work thru the menu I'm moved by a few thoughts: They have Saimin, it seems like a cross between Teri Cafe and L&L, portions don't leave me quite filled.

Service is excellent, decor is clean and vibrant, prices are good, portions could be bigger. I generally like to feel heavier when I eat here. lol

Spam & eggs I would have liked another slice of spam. Longanisa I'd have actually liked a little more of the grease on my rice, but that's just how I eat it at home. Eggs were a hair overcooked (over easy). Portuguese sausage was perfect.

I like their teriyaki bowls, but think the sauce could be bolder, smokier, thicker, sweeter. Veggies were crisp. The ahi poke bowl feels more bibimbap than Chipoke. I'd wished the garlic shrimp was more garlicy. Saimin was a little thin, but still good. The mac salad I wish was thicker.

Katsu mix I wish was crispier, the beef on the Aloha mix was stringy. I wish the musubi was a little more densely packed on the rice and the sauce was thin. I wasn't a fan of the wraps, I never saw a wrap anywhere on Hawaii. I'm looking forward to their burger and Loco Moco, but based on the differences between their photos and what I've eaten they still should be good. The ribs were a little thin, but they gave a few slices.

It's a great place with good authentic food and a good addition and plug for local Hawaiian...

I just came from the soft opening of Dalu Hawaiin BBQ and they are definitely a great addition to the Oceanside dining scene.

Dalu Hawaiin BBQ is located on Old Grove Road in a shopping center that has a few hidden food gems in its corner. They took over the old location of Pick-Up-Stix and they are bringing a fusion of Hawaiian, Korean and Japanese flavors to the Oceanside community.

Their interior is spacious, with plenty of seating for groups and families. There are also very beautiful photos hanging on the walls depicting the Hawaiian lifestyle.

Service was excellent and friendly and I can tell that some of the employees were nervous being their first time.

I ordered their lava wings, Loco Moko, and a mixed platter that featured their famous garlic shrimp, teriyaki beef, and Korean fried chicken.

The lava shrimp started with a heat level of one and slow slowly built up to four out of 10. It was delicious flavor profile of savory hot flavors I also appreciated that the chicken was cooked through completely, and was still moist on the inside.

Their local Moko was legit and was true to the flavors of this traditional dish.

I also loved the teriyaki beef with its sweet overtones and the Korean fried chicken had an addictive, savory quality to it. But I really love their garlic shrimp and that they would place the garlic butter on the white rice to add flavor.

I really loved my experience here, and if anything, the only disappointment was to their Horchata drink; which was not true to the traditional style.

Overall, I really love Dalu Hawaiin BBQ and they are an excellent asset to the Oceanside dining scene and especially to this...

Holy cow was I surprised by how good the food was at Dalu! We actually came to get tacos at the shop next door but Dalu was abuzz and pulled us in.

I got the teriyaki ribs mini plate, and my wife got the Korean grilled chicken mini plate. The meats were so tender and the sauces so delicious. The portion sizes are very generous...honestly a mini plate is probably enough food for most people. Also the spam musibi was large and probably better than any musibi that I got in Hawaii.

There was quite a rush, which the staff seemed to struggle with a bit, but they'll surely find their footing...this restaurant is still just so new. In the end, I can't recommend this place enough and I hope they find success in their...