Eat Your Way Through the Best Shrimp Trucks on Oahu

I’m not one to just laze around on the beach all day. When I’m traveling, even if it’s to an island, I’m going to do some eating. Usually, that’s just not conducive to being in a bikini all day.

When we were visiting Oahu, there were just some things I knew I wanted to try, starting with the island’s shrimp trucks on the North Shore.

I mean, why visit Hawaii if not for all the food, right? Here are all of my favorites, and a few extras that I’ll just have to come back to one day.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

If you want the quintessential shrimp truck experience, you’ll have to go to the North Shore. The North Shore Oahu shrimp truck craze has a short but famous history.

One truck kicked things off in the mid-90s, locals ate it up, literally, and more shrimpers followed. 

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck started as a mobile operation in 1993. It’s owned by Troy Nitsche today, but it’s always been a family affair. 

The truck, a converted 1950s bread truck, would drive around the North Shore, stopping here and there to sell their shrimp to interested parties. (It turns out that there were a lot of parties interested in shrimp trucks on Oahu.)

By 1993, they were parked in a permanent spot in Kahuku town, followed by a second location in Haleiwa, the one we tried. 

I have a friend who says if there’s no line at a place, it’s probably not worth your time. Now, I’ve walked right into some delicious places, so don’t necessarily agree, but Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in their Haleiwa pavilion certainly fits that bill.

There’s a line to both order your shrimp and then pick up your platter, with limited seating around. Several other food trucks there await your patronage, but alas, I’m there for the scampi, baby.

Note: The parking is admittedly terrible. Our group ended up parking in spots on the street. Otherwise, you wait in a line for a spot in the adjoining lot if it’s busy, with only the chickens clucking around to entertain you. 

The shrimp scampi is what they’re known for. It’s messy, loaded up with garlic and butter, and it’s awesome. Plates come with generous scoops of rice, lemon, and more dollops of sauce.

If you’re brave, they have a non-refundable spicy shrimp instead of their delectable garlic shrimp, along with more muted lemon butter shrimp plates. The truck is cash only. Your meal will cost around $20 if you get a shrimp plate, drinks, and a side, plus a tip.

Fun fact: If you need a palate cleanser, we indulged in some shave ice at a truck in the same pavilion. You’d be wise to do the same.

Now that I’ve shared the best one with you, here are a few more for those here for a shrimp truck crawl.

HONOS Shrimp Truck

HONOS is right next to Giovanni’s on the Kamehameha Highway, so it’s often overlooked for the original. Locals know that you shouldn’t count this one out, though, especially if you have a hankering for some Korean short ribs.

Their shrimp comes in a few more unique flavors, like their sweet and sour pineapple sauce.

Jenny’s Shrimp

Jenny’s lunch wagon is just down the street from both Giovanni’s and HONOS. The shrimp here are served butterfly-style, allowing all of those flavors to get into those nooks and crannies.

If you’ve been on the search for coconut shrimp, Jenny’s should top your list of Oahu shrimp trucks to try.

Big Wave Shrimp

Big Wave Shrimp is just south of Giovanni’s, but it’s found its own rabid following after a feature on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The menu here is more diverse than most of the Oahu shrimp trucks on the Kamehameha Highway.

Order up your plate of garlic butter shrimp with chicken wings, spring rolls, or even fish and chips.

Famous Kahuku Shrimp

This one operates near where Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp used to operate on the northern tip of the island in Kahuku. We didn’t try this one as Fumi’s had the better reviews, but we’d give it a shot for its generous portions and take on garlic shrimp.

There’s a second location in Waialua if you find yourself there on your trip to Oahu.

Fun fact: Their chicken fingers get lots of kudos online if you have room.

Romy’s Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp Hut

Romy’s shrimp is a great option if you’re seeking head-on shrimp or love cloves upon cloves of garlic on your food. (They’ll serve up your garlic shrimp extra garlicky if you ask nicely!)

You’ll need to travel to the very northern tip of the island for this one. Romy’s is just east of Fumi’s in case you’re planning multiple stops.

READ MORE: There’s more to do on the island than eat, of course. Steal my itinerary for a full five days on Oahu.

North Shore Shrimp Truck

This option in Haleiwa is popular on island tours that come with a food component as it generally has shorter lines, but don’t let that turn you off.

There are a A LOT of food trucks on the island, and if you’re not going to Giovanni’s, the rest of your eating plan can get a little messy. (I mean that literally.)

Expect the usuals at this one, and leave room for cheesecake on a stick if that does something for you.

More Places to Eat on Oahu

I know you came here for the shrimp, but you will eat WELL on Oahu. Here are our favorites:

• Helena’s Hawaiian Food: We tried a little bit of everything here, including lomi salmon, tender pipikaula short ribs, fried ahi, and a piece of haupia, or a coconut dessert with a firm pudding texture, to finish things off. 
• Highway Inn: Guy Fieri brought Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives here once, but don’t let that turn you off. We had their flame-broiled chicken, a plate of their smoked meat, and some sides, including a macaroni salad. Everything was great.
• Waiahole Poi Factory: This was our first taste of kalua pig on the island, and it was a salty marvel. Brian and I also shared some squid (mostly for him) and beef luau, both simple stews with complex flavors.
• Liliha Bakery: Liliha Bakery is known for its puffs and poi doughnuts. If you need something other than sweet treats, the bakery has a good diner-style breakfast menu, as well. Don’t miss the buttered rolls, I’m tellin’ you.
• Sweet E’s Cafe: This is a cute breakfast and brunch spot near the Diamond Head crater with delectable items like stuffed French toast. They also have Hawaiian takes on breakfast staples like kalua pork eggs Benedict.
• Banzai Sushi Bar: Banzai was delicious. We shared some nigiri, a roll, and a poke bowl, all of which were approaching the level of sushi we had on our trip to Tokyo. I love that their website boasts the brain-boosting powers of eating sushi.

READ MORE: Love sushi? San Diego has an excellent sushi scene!

Where to Stay on Oahu

Avoid Waikiki if you’re here for the shrimp trucks, as you won’t find them down there. Stay near the North Shore, instead.

Note: We’re speaking from experience. We stayed in Waikiki on our first trip, and it really left something to be desired from an authenticity standpoint.

For well-reviewed accommodations on Oahu, check out the map below:

Come to Oahu for shrimp, stay for everything else.

Hawaii overall is a great place to visit for foodies, and Oahu’s size and population mean the food on the island is deliciously diverse.

Whether you’re here for the shrimp trucks or want to throw some classic Hawaiian food into the mix while you’re here, you will eat well on Oahu.

Love a good foodie destination? Check these out next:

• Should You Pay the Price for The French Laundry?
• This Is the Best Pizza Place in the World
• Take a Food Tour of Delicious Bologna
• San Diego’s Top Options for Polish Food
• New Haven Pizza, Subjectively Ranked

Here are a few more for fans of beach vacations:

• A Guide to Beautiful Koh Lanta in Thailand
• See the Best of San Diego’s Pacific Beach
• A San Diego Itinerary for Your First Trip
• Road Trip to Oregon’s Best Coastal Towns
• Plan a Trip to Galveston From Houston

Want to see more?