Honolulu's Spicy New Singaporean Spot

In today's video I will be joining ‪@steveandyoung‬ to show you a newer spot. It is located in the Ward area, below the Ward Theaters and is called Straits. It took over the old Big City Diner. It is a trendy, modern take on Singaporean food and the original restaurant is located in San Jose, California. Looking at the menu it is very expensive. Is it worth it? Let's find out.
Straits Honolulu
1060 Auahi Street
Suite 4
Honolulu, HI 96814
[phone]
Open Sunday - Thursday 4:00pm -10:00pm
Friday - Saturdays 4:00pm to 12:00am
If you love to watch travel and food videos, check out Steve and Young's KZbin channel:
/ @steveandyoung
0:00 Intro
1:45 Interior
1:50 Introduction to Steve and Young
2:18 Drinks
2:51 Roti Paratha
3:51 Seafood Laksa
4:07 Straits Fries
4:39 Hainan Chicken
5:41 Scallop Crudo
6:05 Hainan Chicken Broth
6:47 Whole Fish
7:52 Dessert
8:33 Steve's Thoughts
9:37 My Thoughts
10:18 Young's Thoughts
12:49 Conclusion
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Hey, I'm Misty, and thank you for stopping by my channel. I feature local restaurants to show case what food and menu items that they have to offer. If any of them interest you, please stop by and show them your support. Support local businesses to keep them going!
***Now translations in the Closed Caption section for those who speak Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Filipino, Russian, French, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Hindi, Italian, Samoan, Thai, Vietnamese, and Portuguese! Please press the Closed Caption [CC] button on the bottom of the screen and select your language for translations. Some translations take a couple of days to process.

[@steveandyoung]

We had a wonderful time, Misty. Young and I are so glad we got to meet and do this video together. Ours probably won't go up for about a month or so. Thanks for meeting us! Steve.

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Steve and Young for inviting me out to eat. We had a wonderful time with you both and were glad to meet you. Have a safe flight to your next adventure!

[@FoodFiend]

Hey Steve and Young. I went out to dinner and read Youngs comment but when I came back from dinner to respond it disappeared! Please tell Young we enjoyed her company too and we can't wait to do it again. Don't know why YT erased it.

[@cliftonyamada]

Your are the "Best" Misty and your guests are very good I know them very well, Love You Misty

[@FoodFiend]

Ah small world. Steve and Young are easy to talk story to and wonderful company for sure. 🤙

[@ThuanHoang-fd3dx]

Singaporean foods are the best, I'm glad there’s one in Honolulu. Thank you for sharing your video Misty. Have a great weekend. Peace

[@FoodFiend]

Yes there's a bunch popping up. But I think when I went to Sing MA Tei and Yi Xin I got more of the Malaysian dishes instead of Singaporean. I hope to try more of the cuisine one day. Have a great weekend!

[@tevyetev]

I need this. Singaporean food is low key my favorite because it’s so unique. I’ll be there next week. Think I’ll treat myself 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@FoodFiend]

Awesome Tevye! I hope you enjoy whatever you order. Let me know how your experience is! 🤙😊

[@urs-]

Food looks great, Misty! That scallop dish is going on my ‘to try’ list 👍🏼.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes that was one of my favs. That was tasty!

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

Aloha Misty. this restaurants' food looks delicious!! If I ever make it back out to Oahu again, I will try to check it out. Have a great weekend!

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Paula! It was definitely good food 😋 Have a great weekend as well!

[@classyfiftynine8208]

Aloha Misty ! We visited Singapore in the very early 80's. The food there is delicious and...... c-h-e-a-p :). It was enjoyable watching you folks enjoying your meal. It's almost like I could taste the dishes.

[@FoodFiend]

Oh wow you're so lucky to have experienced Singapore! One day I'd like to go visit the street hawker stalls and taste the real food. Mahalo for enjoying the video. 😊❤️🤙

[@alant.541]

Nice collab with ER. Steve and Young describe cuisine from all over the world so well. Straits looked amazing, but out of my price range. Gotta $ave up! 🤙

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Alan. Yes Steve and Young are super chill and nice folks. 👍 They're so lucky to travel all over the world. Straits is a place for a nice and special occasion for sure.

[@SeanKaleponi]

Aloha Misty! Singaporean food! The straits fries and Hainan chicken is what I would eat:) And glad you to meet with Steve and Young. Young seems very sweet and Steve is the kind of guy that you can listen to talk about all his stories. Mahalo for showing this new spot. Looks quite busy🤙

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha Sean! Yes both Steve and Young were very nice and chill folks. I enjoyed talking story with both of them. I think you'd love the fries and chicken. The roti was great too! If you don't like spicy don't add the sauce and it just tastes like buttery crispy bread. It was super packed so I think they are doing very well. Mahalo Sean for stopping by again! 🤙

[@stogiesister]

I’m all for trying those fries. Thanks for another great video!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks Stogie Sister. I think you'd really enjoy the fries!

[@michellejosefoodandtravel]

Aloha Misty!! Great collab with Steve and Young. We enjoy their YT channel and love to hear Steve when he talks story of his days when growing up in Hawai’i. We have still never had Singaporean food so it’s interesting to see their dishes there at Straits. Definitely higher end so maybe we’ll start with Sing Ma Tei as a more affordable version first!! 😂 The scallop crudo and hainan chicken really peaked our taste buds most!! We’re definitely open to spending a little more for food when it’s good so mahalo for sharing that Straits is worth it!! Have a great week ahead!!

[@FoodFiend]

Hey Michelle & Jose. Yes try Sing Ma Tei or Yi Xin Cafe first! I tried both but I think I had more of their Malaysian dishes than the Singaporean ones. I need to try the laksa from Sing Ma Tei now. 🤤

[@michellejosefoodandtravel]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@FoodFiendwhen we went to Yi Xin Cafe we didn’t really get the Singaporean style dishes so probably have a better chance at Sing Ma Tei maybe. Maybe we can all try the $82 crab noodles together next trip out!! 😂💰😂💵

[@roythousand13]

The food looks delicious! I will definitely check out this restaurant!

[@FoodFiend]

We can go again one day of you want to T. Because I know we were supposed to go. Let me know!

[@titasmom678]

Food looked really good. Love Epicurean Road. Glad you got a chance to meet up with them! Oops left my comment too early...dessert looked amazing. We go to Ubae in the City Square in Kalihi for their Ube Pandan soft serve...so good!

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Carol! Oooh I gotta go back to Ubae. Haven't been there in years but do enjoy their desserts. I love pandan too.

[@steveandyoung]

Thank you! It's always rewarding reading a comment from someone with taste! 😀

[@telawsonartzy6880]

Definitely going there👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 Food looked seriously good. Great vlog Misty👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@FoodFiend]

Thank TE! Food was great. Just a once on a while thing so the wallet isn't empty 🤣💰

[@telawsonartzy6880]

@@FoodFiend 💸💰💸 Yeah I looked up their menu online💸💰💸 !!!YIKES!!!

[@kylerdad123]

Aloha Misty, Aiden, Steve and Young: It was nice to see you all dining at the Honolulu location of Straits. Now, I want to visit the San Jose location on Santana Row. When you get to the San Jose/Milpitas area, you will find several Malaysian/Singaporean restaurants serving similar dishes. All of the dishes looked great, and it was presented excellently. Nice to see you doing a collaborative vlog. Looking forward to the next great vlog of “yumminess.” Best wishes, and Kung Hee Faat Choy, to you, Aiden and friends! Much 🧧and 🤙, fellow 🐯!

[@steveandyoung]

When you go to San Jose, you should also try Original Joe's. It was once described as "the Manliest Restaurant in the World." Staffed by waiters older than all of us put together, in tuxedoes. Great Italian food, and about the best Veal Parmigiana I've had since Little Joe's in San Francisco closed about 15 years ago.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes please try it since it is near you in San Jose! The dished were wonderful although pricey. But if you're a foodie you'll love it. Mahalo again for always watching and commenting. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Chinese New Year!

[@SakuraSpring]

There you are Aiden! 😊 👋 The prices though $$$ and serving size... oh, no! I bet it was very flavorful though. It's location makes me think they're catering to the yuppy, uppity type of clientele who live in the Kakaako condo area. It's nice we can piggyback along with you to visit these places. We're watching your videos and letting the ads run completely through.

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Do! I've been invited to all these restaurants lately but slowly doing a long format video on plate lunches in downtown so that'll be next. But 2 more restaurant videos with friends coming up. 🤙

[@SakuraSpring]

@@FoodFiendThat sounds like an interesting and creative plan.

[@ripleylv426.]

Looks like a great place for special celebrations that will bring it with ono dishes 👌! Want to try the laksa though even if no mo special reason, the Roti Prata and Hainan chicken with steamy broth looked bomb. Yes, thank you for showcasing such diverse foods so that i can learn and try new places or just vicariously "sample" at free 99 😳😅. Checked out Steve and Young, they are living the dream!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes Steve and Young are living the dream indeed. Hopefully that'll be me in 5 years. I want to travel all over once I retire. If you do go definitely try the roti paratha and the laksa!

[@eloisedupain]

🥰😍💖

[@FoodFiend]

Merci! Passez une merveilleuse semaine.

[@eloisedupain]

@@FoodFiend Merci Misty ! Bonne semaine à vous aussi !

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Aha! Steve H. from Aiea. My claim to fame was going to his bar mitzvah. How you doing Steve? Food looks good. I might take my wife some day. Thanks Misty. Good co-review.

[@FoodFiend]

Lol yes Steve from Aiea. What a small world. It is a nice place to take your wife or for a special occasion 😊 Mahalo Mark!

[@steveandyoung]

Hey Mark! Yup, originally from Aiea, but now a citizen of the world! 😉 But, whenever I come back to Hawaii, I'm continually reminded of how nice and down to earth Hawaii folks are. Young is discovering that now, too. We were at the legislature on Wednesday for opening day (went to see Kyle Y, who's now a big mucky-muck there for his opening day party), and was just talking with people in line as we were waiting for the elevator. Then Young would ask me, "Who is she? Did you know her?" And I explained that most people in Hawaii are friendly, and you can just start talking with them. It surprised her, but she likes it.

[@kimcheelove]

i'm cracking up about the woman behind you with the crown and sash. wonder what she was celebrating. didn't look like a bachelorette party! food looks yummy, but kinda pricey. wonder if they're gonna last??

[@FoodFiend]

🤣 I didn't even notice her until you mentioned it. I have no clue what she's celebrating. It is pricey but it was packed when we left. All the restaurants around Ward are very expensive like Istanbul and MW but they seem to be doing well.

[@Topsecret888...]

Truth is, this is just another pseudo Asian fusion shop proclaiming to be a "Singaporean" eatery. Laksa $24, chicken rice $28 just based off the menu, and the roti prata is $12? I know this is Hawaii and all that, but this ain't no "street" food prices. Supposedly, in its native Singapore (known as one of the most expensive city to live in the world) you can find laksa there for less than $5. Same with chicken rice, less than $5. Don't even get me started on the roti. $1 buys you any roti you want. You can't directly compare the prices, it's apples and oranges, but still, the amount of inflation is quite shocking.

[@FoodFiend]

It's expensive, but to each their own. There's people who will pay for it and people who refuse to. However, so far it seemed they are doing very well and it was packed. Same with Istanbul down the street. Very pricey but very popular and still in business.

[@Topsecret888...]

Thank you for your honest opinion. I don't mean to knock the place down, but the prices are out of whack. You can thank the inflation for causing all these struggles to operate a food and beverage business in good faith. Soaring costs, inability to retain employees and never ending taxes are destroying many businesses, whether big or small.

[@TheOCHapa]

She doesn't like Hainanese Chicken and Rice??? That's blasphemy!!

[@FoodFiend]

Eh it's ok. Everyone has different tastes. She's from Korea, so like my mom, they like stronger flavors. I don't think my mom likes it either. Too plain for her taste.

[@NJPS2023]

Great Video Misty! Where would you recommend getting Hainan chicken on the Island if not here? SingMa Tei?

[@steveandyoung]

SingMaTei is the only other place in Hawaii that I know serves it. But they serve it cold. Here at Strait's, it was warm. But, when we're shopping in Ala Moana, SingMaTei is always on the menu for a nice lunch or early dinner. Their food is good (and I love the look of their blue rice, made with butterfly pea flowers). Certainly cheaper. Their restaurant in Kaimuki/Kapahulu, Yi Xin, doesn't have it on the menu, but that's certainly a nice dinner and considerably cheaper than Strait's if you're in the mood for Singaporean food on Oahu.

[@FoodFiend]

You can try Sing Ma Tei but I'm not sure it's an everyday thing on the menu. Bo's Kitchen on Beretania across the police station has. We'll they had it when they were in Pearlridge and Ohana Hale Marketplace. Maybe give them a call to make sure it's still on their menu. 😊🤙

[@brianhirose8866]

No thanks, I not Rockefeller or Kaiser but i enjoyed the video. Great job! ❤

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks Brian. I noticed most local folks wouldn't spend that much money on food and it's understandable. Unless you're a hard-core foodie 🤣

[@steveandyoung]

You don't need to spend a fortune to have great food! Yeah, Straits is up there in price. But Misty's channel features some amazing places that you can try for not too much money! Still, as a splurge (or maybe at Happy Hour), a nice place like Straits can be fun.

[@FoodFiend]

@@steveandyoung Brian is my friend. I think he'd rather spend his money on a fancy cigar than food lol

[@steveandyoung]

@@FoodFiend Nothing wrong with a fancy cigar, right?

[@brianhirose8866]

I’ll take the fancy cigar anyway. And eat a good bowl of pho. LOL😂