Shige Kabashima is a renowned cocktail visionary and co-founder of several acclaimed New York City establishments, including NR and ROKC. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to mixology, crafting creative...
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Last updated: 7/2/2026, 3:14:39 AM
Key Information
ROKC, which stands for Ramen, Oyster, Kitchen, and Cocktail, is an award-winning Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant that originated in New York City and has recently opened in Waikīkī, Honolulu. It's known for its creative, carefully crafted cocktails and izakaya-style dishes. The establishment offers a polished dining experience and provides 2 hours of free parking. It operates on a walk-in only basis.
Customers consistently praise ROKC as a 5-star dining experience, highlighting the exemplary service and the bartender's mastery in crafting unique and delicious cocktails. The food is described as strong across the board, delightful, well-prepared, and incredible, with fresh seafood, excellent uni, and rich bone marrow being frequently mentioned. While highly rated for its quality, many reviews note that it is not a casual ramen stop, but rather a more expensive, polished meal suitable for a date night or special occasion. Some ramen dishes are served without broth, resembling pasta, which is a point for traditional ramen seekers to note.
Additional Details
ROKC is an acronym for Ramen, Oyster, Kitchen, Cocktail, reflecting its core offerings. The Honolulu location is a new venture, bringing its acclaimed concept from New York City to Waikīkī. It offers 2 hours of free parking in the back of the house.
The restaurant fills up fast, especially right at opening. Visiting early in the evening or during happy hour (when available, e.g., for oysters) is recommended. Given its operating hours (5:00 pm - 11:00 pm daily), it's ideal for dinner or a late-night meal and cocktails.
Awards & Recognition
Award-Winning Japanese Cocktail Bar & Restaurant from NYC
5
This place truly is a 5 ⭐️ place to dine! While I've been in Hawaii (10 days).... I've been skeptical about star ratings. We've been to some higher star restaurants and had the worst service. ROKC was exemplary. We got there right at open (I wasn't missing out on this place) and it filled up fast but there was still room at the bar, which is where we sat. It was another Google review that advised to sit there and watch the cocktails being made. Oysters for happy hour were $2.50- awesome. Watching the bartender make amazing cocktails with skill and precision- amazing. Cocktails were delicious. Scallop ceviche, deviled eggs, mussels, and Sapporo ramen were all delightful. Service was on point and the restaurant itself was very trendy. If you're in Waikiki- don't sleep on this one. Pretty soon I'm sure there will be a line for seating here!
ROKC was very good, but it is not a casual ramen stop. We went for ramen and ended up with a much more expensive, more polished meal than expected. Some of the ramen is served without broth and eats more like a pasta dish with ramen noodles. We enjoyed it, but anyone looking for a traditional bowl of ramen should pay close attention to the menu before ordering.
The food was strong across the board. The uni was excellent, the bone marrow was rich and well done, and the seafood tasted fresh. The cocktails were the standout for me. We tried several, and each one felt creative and carefully made without being over the top. Sitting at the bar would be a good move here, especially if you want to watch the drinks being made.
The main issue is price. Even at happy hour, the bill was around $300. That may be normal for Hawaii in some ways, but it still makes ROKC feel more like a date-night or special-occasion spot than a place to satisfy a ramen craving. For me, this is probably a 4.4 or 4.5 experience that gets rounded down to a 4 because of the value. I would go back, especially for cocktails and a few shared dishes, but there are plenty of other good options nearby at lower prices
Wish I could give this place 10 stars 🌟! Amazing cocktails/food, amazing service, and and an amazing atmosphere. Ended up going here twice on my trip, and will be back. Must try if your going to Hawaii!
100% recommend if you appreciate a good cocktail! The cocktails are unique and delicious. The bartender is a master at his craft. The food was amazing, everything so tasty and the vibe is just perfect 🤙🏽
As a longtime ROKC fan since their New York days, I was able to finally visit their Hawaii location. Just like in New York, bartenders Joji and Yujin create exquisite cocktails. I was truly amazed at how far their cocktails have come. Each one was incredibly flavorful, and while I wanted to try them all, I quickly realized I couldn't finish them all in one day. The "Botanical Garden" boasts a deep herbal aroma and is elegant, yet perfectly complements the food. The "Smoky Pina Colada" is a unique, clarified cocktail, with a unique, refreshing flavor that perfectly complements the tropical atmosphere. The Karaage is also excellent, with plump, crispy meat. The noodles, made with bone marrow and Wagyu beef, are a perfect blend of beef fat and ramen, delivering a rich, beefy flavor that fills your mouth. This is a restaurant you definitely want to visit when you visit Hawaii. I'll definitely come back.
