Foodie on a Shoestring: Discover the Best Bites on a Budget

Guide to Good Eats on a Student Budget Around UH Manoa

O’ahu has much to offer; whether you want an adventure in the rainforest or a day in the city, this island is more than just its beautiful beaches. Hawai’i has an underrated selection of local and worldly cuisine. Although exciting, Hawai’i is also known for being one of the most expensive places to sustain oneself. It’s definitely challenging to thrive in a place of such expense, but not impossible. As a university student, I’ve managed to find some wallet-friendly best bites for when I need a pep while keeping my limited budget in tact.

Quick Eats

As a student with a severe boba addiction, I needed to find an easily accessible shop that wouldn’t quickly add up in my bank account. Shaka Shaka Tea Express is a boba shop that offers a large selection of teas, slushes, or fruit smoothies. You can add a jelly or boba topping to any drink for an extra burst of flavor and texture. Shaka Shaka also provides almost any Japanese snack imaginable, so grab a small treat from the front of the store as you wait for your drink to be made! Located off Avenue and King Street it’s also close to the UH campus for before, after, and in-between classes.

shakashakateaexpress.com

Right across the street from the boba shop is Smokey’s Pipe & Coffee. This quaint coffee house/smoke shop has a variety of coffee and tea options, but one of their most popular products is their kava latte. Kava is a bitter root that is typically added to drinks and food. This crop has a mildly sedative effect similar to CBD and leaves a slight tingle on your tongue. Smokey’s also has an array of sandwiches, açai bowls, and delicious toasts to soothe your cravings in a calming atmosphere while not breaking the bank.

smokeyshawaii.com

Bigger Eats

One of my favorite cuisines is Thai food, but it can be quite a pretty penny. Once I moved to O’ahu, I started my vigorous hunt for a reasonably priced restaurant and got lucky with this hole-in-the-wall spot. Thai Issan Cuisine located in Market City right off of Kapiolani Boulevard has good portions suitable for a tighter budget. Many of their noodle and rice dishes range from $12 to about $17 depending on the type of protein.

Coming from Vietnamese descent, I have an innate obsession with pho and bún. I tried almost every pho shop in the Honolulu area, but I was lucky enough to have my favorite located right at the corner of Dole Street and Waialae Avenue. The Ripple of Smiles prides itself in its authentic cookery and vegan menu. Not only does it offer an extensive menu, but also supplies sweet thai tea and Vietnamese coffee.

therippleofsmiles.com

Hawai’i can be an expensive place to live, but being a university student has proven the capability of existing within a budget. Although I am one to fall victim to a treat, I’ve found loopholes in providing small luxuries for myself. Whether I desire a quick cup of joe or a larger meal, there are places on this island ready to suppress any craving in an economically-friendly manner.

by Vanessa Hathaway

As a writing intern for Honolulu Vibes, Vanessa Hathaway is passionate about creating quality content that allows audiences across oceans to collectively share her zest for adventure. Raised in Washington D.C and Las Vegas, Vanessa moved to O’ahu to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. She spends her free time playing gigs with her band, Blue Tuesday, and surfing at the local longboard spots in Honolulu.

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