A monkeypod tree is a kind of tree, which you see thriving on Hawaiian Islands. Monkeypod Kitchen reflects the nature of the monkeypod tree, nurturing everything around it with aloha spirit. There are two Monkeypod Kitchen in Hawaii, one in Maui and the other in Oahu. This article is about the one in Oahu, which is located in Ko Olina.
Monkeypod tree, Pithecellobium saman
For those of you who have never heard of the monkeypod tree, nor seen one, let’s start from what it is. Like many of you, until I visited Monkeypod Kitchen, I had also never heard of the name, and I said to my friend, “It is such a funny name!”
The monkeypod tree, with its scientific name of Pithecellobium saman, is native to the Neotropics, and widely found in places like Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and are also found in South and Southeast Asia, reaching all the way to Hawaii. They are also called rain trees, because when they are flowering, the stamens from the flowers drop like rain. They grow into a large size, reaching to 15 to 25 meters (49 to 82 ft) with a wide canopy, which looks like a big umbrella. Unlike other large trees, monkeypod trees do not kill other plants beneath or around them, but nurtures them by releasing nitrogen from its leaves, and seeds, into the soils, making the surrounding environment greener than anywhere else.
Let’s wine and dine at Monkeypod Kitchen
The first thing you notice when you sit down at the table, is the menu with a monkeypod tree that you are given. It has a large monkeypod tree displaying what this restaurant stands for. Like the monkeypod tree, Monkeypod Kitchen is a special place where people who wine and dine can expect high quality service. Monkeypod Kitchen is proud of their craftsmanship they stand for, such as their fine and personal craftsmanship of food, drink, and happy times.
Monkeypod Kitchen is open from 11:00am to 11:00pm on Monday through Friday, and is open from 9:00am to 11:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, providing brunch, lunch, and dinner. As well as an ample food menu, there is a large wine and beer selection for those who want to loosen up a bit after a long day.
Try their specialty
If you are visiting Monkeypod Kitchen with a friend or two, you might like to get started with some “pupus”, the Hawaiian word for “appetizers”. There are a wide range of pupus to choose from, but the one, which is popular at Monkeypod Kitchen, is Garlic Truffle Oil Fries. Yes, I know what you are thinking, it sounds so bad and so good at the same time, right? It is not good to eat fries all the time, but when you are on vacation and sharing with a friend or a partner, it is not bad at all. The truth is, it is a great pupu to get a meal started, and is great with beer too. Since Monkeypod Kitchen is all about craftsmanship, the ketchup that comes with the fries is house-made. After your appetizer, you can have tacos, sandwiches, pizzas, or burgers. If you are traveling with a child, they also have “keiki”, a children’s menu, so the little ones can also enjoy their food, such as the King Kong Cheeseburger and their Monkey Around Cheese Quesadilla.
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Take Monkeypod Kitchen, Hawaiian spirit home with you
Something you keep running into in Hawaii, is that many of Hawaiian original stores, cafes, and restaurants have their own original items at their shops. At the side of the register at Monkeypod Kitchen, you see T-shirts and other items that you can take home with you. This sense of pride in their products and services is something so refreshing and admirable, that it is no wonder why locals keep coming back to this place. As a tourist, it is just a cool souvenir to take home, because not many people who are from Hawaii, or areas where you see monkeypod trees, would know what they are. It would also be a great conversation starter to talk about your trip to Hawaii, and visit to Monkeypod Kitchen.
Try something original and hip in Hawaii
Monkeypod Kitchen is located in Ko Olina, which is right next to the recently developed Disney resort opened back in 2010. With the symbol of the monkeypod tree, it is quite a special place where the restaurant provides a relaxing, yet hip atmosphere, which attracts a wide range of customers. The ambiance of the space is beach resort modern, which creates an atmosphere that can be enjoyed both by the locals, and tourists. With the monkeypod tree right in front of the restaurant, as well as the Disney resort in the distance, you almost feel like you are in the world of a Disney story. So do you want to be a princess and be pampered, or an adventurer who is ready to explore the jungle and the ocean of Hawaii?
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