kakaako

Oh Cocina, Cocina. I think the word translates to kitchen, but in any language, it has to mean yummy (or ono in Hawaii lingo). Cocina is a relatively new eatery in the Kakaako area, and while tiny in size, the food is packed with huge flavor starting with the chips and salsa.

Crispy, crunchy, smokey – you can’t stop.

The menu isn’t complicated featuring a variety of tacos, but everything we tasted was great. Everything was flavorfully seasoned, but the secret is with the sauce pairing. Each taco comes with its own perfectly complementary sauce. The tacos are on the smaller side but are sufficiently filling.

If you want something heftier, definitely go with the Tortaguesa. Basically, it’s a burger, but oh what a burger it is. The sweet and spicy habanero sauce contrasts the earthy beef excellently. Do you dip the burger, pour the sauce on? No matter, just use it all up. The Tortaguesa was my favorite.

I’m not sure how often Cocina’s menu changes, but here’s a (blurry) shot of their current menu.

Check out Yelp for more reviews.