Simply Ono

I’m a grad student at UH Manoa, and my lab is just 20 feet from Simply Ono that is located in the Biomed Building (I’ve never try any other Simply Ono stall in the campus). Below are some reasons why I gave this particular stall full compliment.
LOCATION: As I said it, it’s just 20 feet from my lab, and it’s not a food truck. It’s a kiosk, albeit a small one. While there may be many food stall inside the UH Manoa area, I don’t wanna walk 40 minutes just for a lunch at Campus Center, for example. Yes they only have one tiny table for 2, but just outside the stall, you have several beautiful courts within Biomed building.
SIZE: I’m a small guy (compared to any Caucasian or local) so I can be fulfilled with just HALF or occasionally a THIRD of the size Bob usually give me. That’s why I never forget to tip him at least a dollar. I mean, less than 10 bucks for a lunch AND dinner? it’s simply a steal, especially in Honolulu. Did I mention that I’m a grad student a.k.a poor? When I came there for the first time, I saw some workers from the cleaning company. That’s how I knew I’ve landed at a place with good value.
FOOD: To some of my friends in the lab, the food is okay, not great. But for me, it’s just great. I don’t have fancy tastebud in my tongue so anything clean, have vegetable, and have seafood in it will do me good. I’m particularly inclined to seafood and Bob almost always have some ahi for me. (If he doesn’t it means I come too late).
For a full choice of menu for the day, come before 11am. Bob opened his stall around 10.15am. By 1 pm, you’re lucky if you can buy anything. I knew this the hard way one day, coming at 1.30pm and there was only some soup left (around 4 bucks).
PS: Bob accepts credit card if your purchase is at least 7 bucks.

Simply Ono has 2 locations (a food truck and in the Biomedical Sciences building). I frequent the Biomedical Sciences location.
They have local foods that differs daily and if you want you can check their menu ahead of time by looking on their website of what their weekly menu is. Normally Fridays are hawaiian type of plate lunches.
The food is ok. It’s not the best local plate lunches I’ve ever had but pretty reasonable for the price. Well I guess it depends on the person working. The portion size lately has been inconsistent. Some days its awesome and they give large portions for a plate lunch and then other days, I’m like «dude this is so little for what I’m paying?!» They are open only on the weekdays and only for lunch. If they have a fish item as one of their specials for the day, I recommend getting there before 12 noon.
As far as the atmosphere and the look of it, it’s boring and is a mix of diner/​cafeteria? They hand write their daily specials on white board and there is a condiments area where you can get utensils and season your food if needed.
OH! That reminds me, seasoning of food… Do not get their soups. It’s salty and not that great any way. Some of their other food items can be salty too. Just an FYI

Simply Ono is great for those with hearty appetites. This is the location in Biomed (B tower), behind C-​More building. Not to be confused with the wagon that is parked by Campus Center/​Krauss Hall. This location is actually in a room in Biomed building. There’s only one small circular table to eat inside, so prepare to have to find somewhere else to eat.
The food itself is great! For the price, you can’t beat the portion size. Check the website (
) for the weekly menus (
) and daily specials. Every day they have at least one fresh fish dish, one chicken dish, one daily special, one pasta dish, one sandwich, one salad, and one soup (and sometimes more).
If you want brown rice, I would recommend geting your plate early.