More than 20 shrimp trucks line the North Shore from Haleiwa to Kahuku, each with its own spin on the classic. A decade ago, the lines were long, picnic tables were scarce, and some trucks were cash-only. Today, garlic shrimp plates aren’t just a North Shore staple—they’re all over O‘ahu. But people from around the world still make the pilgrimage to these roadside institutions.
So we asked readers to vote for their favorites. The results of the reader poll are published below. Then we took Your Top 5 choices and taste-tested each one to come up with Our Top 5 ranking. Since I received the list of readers’ favorite poll results in no particular order, I will have no idea how the two rankings compare until this article publishes.
The sole burning question: Who makes the best garlic shrimp plate?
SEE ALSO: You Voted: Here’s Your Top 5 Shave Ice on Oʻahu
For Our Top 5, the ranking is based on a combination of my personal preferences as an avid consumer of garlic shrimp plates, and discussion with our photographer Aaron K. Yoshino, also a garlic shrimp fan, factoring in key elements like shrimp texture, garlic and butter ratio, overall flavor, and plate composition.
We discovered that there are no wrong answers. Maybe you’re here for the velvety butter coating your tongue, the bold punch of garlic, or simply because you’re a die-hard seafood lover. Whatever it is, one thing’s certain: it’s unapologetically messy, indulgent and meant to be eaten with your hands.
Your Top 5: Garlic Shrimp
No. 5: Jenny’s Shrimp (4.5% of the total vote)
No. 4: Romy’s Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp (6.7%)
No. 3: Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (12.8%)
No. 2: Amy’s Shrimp & Poke Shack by WasaBee (30.2%)
No. 1: Big Wave Shrimp Truck (32.4%)
Our Top 5: Garlic Shrimp
No. 5: Jenny’s Shrimp
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Location: Across the street from Big Wave Shrimp Truck, limited parking (3 stalls)
Wait time: On a Thursday at 11 a.m., we wait 10 minutes, along with other customers from a tour bus
First impressions: Full plate—9 shrimp, two scoops of rice, salad
The taste test:
- Texture: Cooked perfectly, tender with slightly firm texture
- Garlic & butter ratio: Average—less garlic and butter, more of a salty sauce that runs off the shrimp
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The bottom line: The shrimp are cooked perfectly, but the lack of garlic on the shrimp itself is disappointing. Instead, the garlic is concentrated on the rice, which makes the dish saltier than expected. While the rice has a good firmness, the overall garlic-to-shrimp balance feels off. If you love moist, juicy shrimp, this place is for you. If you like a more garlic-forward shrimp plate, skip the drive.
66-532 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa
No. 4: Big Wave Shrimp Truck
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Location: Easy to find, parking lot with stalls
Wait time: On a Thursday at 10 a.m., there’s no line; we wait 5 minutes
First impressions: Full plate—10 shrimp, two scoops of rice, salad, pineapple wedges
The taste test:
- Texture: Slightly undercooked, tender, slightly bouncy
- Garlic & butter ratio: Fair—not an overpowering garlic taste, not overly buttery
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The bottom line: Large chunks of fresh garlic give the dish a strong visual appeal, though the shrimp could have been cooked slightly more. The rice is a bit mushy, but the salad and pineapple are nice touches that add pops of freshness and acidity to the rich plate. The portion feels generous, making it a great value.
66-521 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, @bigwaveshrimp
No. 3: Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Location: Easy to find with ample parking
Wait time: On a Thursday at noon, even with a line, service is quick
First impressions: Full plate—12 shrimp, two scoops of rice, a lemon wedge
The taste test:
- Texture: Cooked perfectly, tender, slightly firm texture
- Garlic & butter ratio: Generous—immediate buttery flavor with finely chopped garlic
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The bottom line: This plate gets straight to the point—no frills, just shrimp, rice, butter and garlic. The shrimp are smaller but not overcooked, and the buttery coating gives it a rich mouthfeel. The garlic is finely chopped and slightly sweet, making for a well-balanced bite. This is the classic gateway plate that started the craze, and it still holds up.
56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, @giovannisshrimptruck
No. 2: Amy’s Shrimp & Poke Shack by WasaBee
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Location: ‘Ohana Hale Waikīkī food truck lot, look for street parking
Wait time: On a Friday at noon, there’s no line; we wait 10 minutes
First impressions: Full plate—6 large shrimp with heads on, two scoops of rice, salad
The taste test:
- Texture: Cooked perfectly, juicy, slightly firm texture
- Garlic & butter ratio: Good amount of garlic, salt-forward with a sweeter finish
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The bottom line: This is a surprising find, especially as the only contender not on the North Shore. The shrimp are well-cooked, with a flavorful garlic butter sauce that has a twist—thyme. The herb adds a refined, slightly salty component that transitions to a sweeter finish. This unexpected touch elevates the dish, making it one of the more unique plates.
1958 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, @aloha_wasabee
No. 1: Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Location: Easy to find with ample parking
Wait time: On a Thursday at 1 p.m., we wait 15 minutes with no line
First impressions: Full plate—8 large shrimp with heads on, two scoops of rice, a spicy shoyu sauce
The taste test:
- Texture: Cooked perfectly, juicy, firm texture
- Garlic & butter ratio: Loaded—immediate hit of fried garlic flavor, not overly buttery
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The bottom line: This plate is a dream for garlic lovers. The shrimp, served head-on, are pan-fried to a delicious golden crisp, with an intense garlic-forward taste. The spicy shoyu sauce is a standout addition, adding a salty, umami-rich balance. With bold flavors, a generous garlic portion, and a unique dipping sauce, this is easily the most memorable plate and our pick for the best garlic shrimp.
56-1030 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, @romyskahukuprawnandshrimp
Cody Kawamoto is the creative director of Frolic sister publication Hawai‘i Home & Remodeling Magazine.
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