No Burgers in Hawaii – “Oxtail Ramen” Draws Crowds at Waikiki Beach

Reported and photographed by You Ru / Hawaii for HowToTrip

Could Hawaiian cuisine be so good it leaves you speechless? In the Waikiki Beach area of Honolulu, there’s a popular eatery that sees long queues as soon as it opens. Instead of serving typical American fare, it offers authentic “oxtail soup.” According to local Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese visitors, the first thing they crave upon landing in Hawaii is this rich, genuine taste of the islands.


▲ Oxtail ramen.


▲ Besides ramen, the shop also serves pan-fried dumplings and fried rice.


▲ The wait is about 20 minutes.

“The moment you take a bite of oxtail ramen, you won’t want to lift your head — your whole face will be buried in the bowl.” Shih Chunting, a representative from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, described her love for oxtail soup as something that makes you “unable to lift your head.” She said that every time she lands, her top priority is finding a bowl of irresistible oxtail soup. Near Waikiki Beach, there’s an “oxtail ramen” that blends Japanese ramen influences with traditional flavors. Though the name may sound straightforward, the dish delivers layers of complex tastes. Especially as the noodles soak up the broth and you slurp them in, the savory aroma of beef mingles with the sweetness of vegetables, spreading through your mouth.

The famed oxtail ramen spot “Nakamura Ramen” is easy to find — just walk along Waikiki Beach’s main street and look for a small Japanese-style shop with a crowd out front. With an average wait time of around 20 minutes, the ramen shop has only about 20 seats. From getting in line to having the broth reach your lips, it takes over 30 minutes. “We sell at least 80 bowls a day,” says the efficient staff, who are busy clearing finished tables while attending to each customer’s specific requests.


▲ The shop features Japanese-style decor and has around 20 seats.


▲ Ground ginger with soy sauce is the local beef dipping sauce.


▲ The oxtail ramen comes with generous portions of oxtail bones.


▲ The ramen broth is clear and flavorful.


▲ The chewy noodles absorb the broth yet retain their own texture.  
When your bowl of ramen arrives, a small dish of finely minced ginger for dipping the beef is placed on the table. The broth includes mushrooms, bean sprouts, and sprinkled fried garlic chips. The soup is crystal clear, with the aroma of oxtail bones complemented by the sweetness of vegetables. As you lift a noodle into your mouth, the slight charred flavor of the garlic adds depth to what looks like a simple, clear soup. Though it resembles Taiwan’s common clear beef noodle soup, this version boasts a richer sweetness from the vegetables. If you’re traveling in Hawaii and tired of American food, give this modified oxtail ramen a try — even locals are willing to queue for it.

[Nakamura Ramen]
Address: 2141 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 922-7960