Sponsored by Hawaii Gas
Istanbul Hawaii is in the heart of Kakaako. The family-owned restaurant has more than 13,000 years of history in its flavors, and HI Now host Kanoe Gibson got a chance to taste some of the specialties on the menu.
The joy of sharing their rich culture and food with people is what fuels Chef Ahu Hettema and her mother, the restaurant’s executive chef.
“We are just doing our best to make it as authentic as possible,” says Chef Hettema. “Everything you see here is done by us. There was an idea to create this place like a modern Turkish house.”
And when you step inside Istanbul, you become part of the Hettema ohana! The restaurant’s food really transports you with its unique and homecooked flavors. Chef Hettema says the mother-daughter team cooks everything with love, and that makes all the difference!
Chef Hettema’s mother says that she is grateful to be in Hawaii and serving its people. She and her husband believe that Hawaii is a special place and are excited to be share their culture, story, flavors, and history.
Serving both street-style and elevated Turkish cuisine, Istanbul uses fresh, organic, and local ingredients whenever possible. Their bountiful Turkish and Ottoman cuisine is representative of the seven diverse regions of Turkey, Mediterranean and the Middle East. The restaurant’s recipes have been in Chef Hettema’s family for generations
Istanbul Hawaii’s guests can park at Anaha parking garage. The parking entrance is on Queen street. If this parking garage is full, guests can park at any Ward Village parking garage such as Whole Food’s Market, South Shore Market, or Ward Theater. For takeout and contactless pickup, just park your vehicle in one of curbside pick up stalls in the Anaha parking garage.
Istanbul Hawaii
1108 Auahi St, Ste 152
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, US
For more information: istanbulhawaii.com