Little Village Noodle House in Chinatown, HonoluluFew people know that it was the Chinese who brought the original sugar mill to Hawaii in 1800. The first official Chinese citizens to arrive in Honolulu were crew members aboard four ships in 1788. A Chinese resident and trader set up shop around the Honolulu harbor area in 1823, and by 1840, there was about 30 Chinese in the district that eventually became known as Chinatown. Many more Chinese were imported as contract workers for the sugar fields, some eventually staying, gravitating towards Chinatown and starting small businesses.The initial development of Chinatown was hampered by two large fires in 1886 and 1900 that burned many of the structures, but if you look around today you’ll notice most of the original buildings date back to 1901. The most popular landmark and tourist attraction is the Oahu Market, originally opened in 1904 by Tuck Young at the corner of King and Kekaulike streets.Locals and visitors enjoy this open-air marketplace used for purchasing fish, fresh produce, imported goods, and miscellaneous hard-to-find items.Gourmet Chinese Cuisine Arrives in ChinatownThe reality of creating world-class gourmet Chinese cuisine started with a dream in the minds and hearts of Kenneth and Jennifer Chan. This passionate couple arrived at Honolulu in 1974 with one hundred dollars in cash and a suitcase full of imagination and ambition. After working their way through the restaurant industry, they were able to save enough money by 1984 to start their first culinary adventure.Chef Kenneth Chan artfully blended cooking styles of various Chinese regions into award-winning culinary delights. Chan has articulated his style by incorporating fresh seafood, local chicken, kalua pig, and regional produce into his impressive gourmet creations. His wife is responsible for creating the concept of Little Village Noodle House that features a smaller, more intimate dining experience.During the last thirty years, I have searched for the “Holy Grail” of Chinese gourmet cuisine in the Chinatown communities of Vietnam, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico. I have my dreams and passion as well.Fortunately, I ultimately found the “greatest treasures of flavor” at Little Village Noodle House in Chinatown, Honolulu. I challenge anyone to find better cuisine, dynamic flavors and superb quality at these prices. Okole Maluna (“bottoms up”) from Oahu ~ SteveFor contact information, to read the menu, and get prices and directions, visit Little Village Noodle House’s website.Special thanks to Jeff Konn of Honolulu for taking me to experience this wonderful culinary venue.
