Rada’s Piroscki

I’m an idiot. I’ve been wanting to try this place ever since I went to HPU (over 15 years ago). Today I finally went and it was totally NOT what I was expecting. I realized after I opened my bag back at the office that all this time I had been thinking this place had pierogis (the potato-​y dumpling one). Again, idiot.
The pirozhki (sp?) reminded me of a savory malasada, and smelled just like it in the bag! I wanted to try the beef and cabbage, but they had just run out so I tried the chicken, cheese, and mushroom. The filling was okay, but the outside was just way too greasy and it made me feel kind of gross after eating it.
The location inside the Filipino fast food place was pretty dingy and did not appear very clean. The service was fairly fast and friendly though, and the price was reasonable ($ 2). Maybe if it’s something that you grow up with then it tastes comforting and nostalgic? I wouldn’t go back.

Love this place! Chicken mushroom plate comes with a salad and fried squid. Yummmerz! Need to dip squid in that salad dressing that they have. That compliments it well. Though they just have a takeout window now, u can just relax on the benches on fort street mall. If u have never tried peroski, check this place out.

Omg, my girlfriend told me about this place. Delicious peroskis. And the fried calamari, yummy.

Awesome hole in the wall in Chinatown. Rada’s, which is Russian, is connected to a filipino plate lunch place and you would never see it unless you knew it was there. I love trying unique places that you don’t see very often and Rada’s is one of them. Fried dough stuffed with meat? Uh, yes please. Ordered the lunch special of a piroscki, fried squid and a salad. Soooo much food and it was only $ 5 and some change. The piroscki was completely stuffed with the good stuff; mine chicken, mushroom and cheese. The fried squid was really fantastic. I’m not really a fan of calamari, but was by far one of the best I have ever had. Not chewy, nor fishy tasting. The salad was a nice touch to tone down the fried goodness.

Never get tired eating their piroscki and especially their fried squid legs, always order 2 bags LOL

Rada’s Piroscki is so good! It’s strange to me that there would be a Russian food place in Fort Street Mall, but despite the oddity, it’s so good. The piroshkies here are huge, heavenly, fried balls of dough stuffed with meaty goodness. They’re so cheap and SO HUGE. I honestly don’t even know what they’re actually called, I just know that I like the #1 (a beefy filling) and my husband likes the #2 (a beefy, tomato, cabbage filling). Rada’s is our favorite plane food because it’s just one solid ball of food for an easy, portable meal. I recommend calling ahead to make sure they’re not sold out because they WILL sell out by the afternoon.

What is a Piroscki? Well the best way I can describe it is — it’s a deep fried chewy bun, packed with a delicious meat (beef or chicken), cheese, & vegetable filling.
My co-​worker was talking about this Russian delicacy called a «Piroscki» that was sold at a place called Rada’s Piroscki in downtown Honolulu.
Since I’ve never had a Piroscki before, rest a sure I was pretty game today to have my very first Piroscki today.
I remembered when I was working in Seattle a few years back, I saw a Russian bakery by Pikes Market Place that advertised the Piroscki… but at that time, I had no idea what it was, so I ended up buying something else from that Russian bakery.
I’m glad I was finally able to try this delicious delicacy today… and I must say, it was very YUMMY!
This little shop in located on the Fort Street Mall next to a «Smoothie Drink Shop». The sign is not that visible from the strip mall, so if you see the McDonald’s on Fort Street Mall. Just go up the mall till you see a Vita Smoothie Drink Shop, and Rada’s Piroscki is just next door.
Rada’s is a little hole in the wall place, and the décor has seen better days… if you’re looking for fine dining… it is definitely not! But if you’re looking for a Piroscki, or for Filipino comfort fast food… then you’ve come to the right place!
I gotta tell you folks a little funny thing about Rada’s Piroscki… although the store advertises the Piroscki, & it appears to look like a Russian cuisine kinda place… when you walk into this place, the store is run by Filipino people, and they also served a lot of Filipino fast food stuff.
The Piroscki they sell here is very cheap! Real, real cheap…(I’m talking like $ 1.92 + tax = $ 2.00) $ 2.00 whole bucks for a Piroscki! How’s that for dirt cheap!
They sold 3 types of Piroscki’s here… they had the following —
1. Beef, Cheese, & Mushroom Piroscki
2. Beef, Cheese, & Cabbage Piroscki
3. Chicken, Cheese, & Mushroom Piroscki
I was trying to get the Beef, Cheese, & Cabbage Piroscki today, but apparently they had run out, so I went with plan #3, and got the Chicken, Cheese, & Mushroom Piroscki.
What can I say about da grindz? Simply YUMMY! I loved the deep fried chewy bun, and it was packed with the Chicken, Cheese, & Mushrooms! I only ate one, and it was very filling. Although it is deep fried, it did not taste oily at all. The bun was a little crunchy on the outside, but as you bit into it… the bun inside was soft & chewy… and the filling… Noms!
If you’re curious about a Piroscki… may I suggest the next time you’re in the downtown area of Honolulu, you may want to stop by this place to give it a try! Winna’s!

Zdrastvooyt! Hello there Comrade!
This place brings back lots of memories when I lived in Moscow, Russia — my love affair with Nakita, y’know the dating a Russian super model days! The former Soviet Union behind the Iron Curtain! Back in the U.S.S.R. *Snap* Okay, not exactly, but as a young kid in Capt. Cook, Hawaii, my parents were pretty good friends with «that» only Russian family on the block! Lucky for us, they weren’t communists, as for as we knew, and all we really cared about is they made some pretty darn good sorbet ice cream and this amazing thing called PIROSCKI or was it PIROSHKI?! Whatever who cares! All we care about is it good, right? So I head to a little place called…
RADA’S PIROSCKI!
No, it’s not in mysterious Gorky Park, but TBH it’s a tad ghetto in that strip with a ton of Eastern European college students and the odd collection of hobos. But who cares, right? All we care about is it good! So, apparently Rada is not Russian! Whoever Rada is?! I mean this place is attached to a Filipino restaurant! Huh?! Maybe Russian Filipinos? Whatever! All we care about is it good, right?
So, I see a dude at the take-​out window… I decide to order from there, too! I note maybe three types of the deep fried PIROSCKI with a combo of ground beef or chicken and things like cabbage, mushroom, cheese stuffed in it! Greasy, yes! In a greasy good way tho! I’m not a fan of cabbage so I order the PIROSCKI with ground beef, mushroom & cheese! Delicious! Yes, you need to remind yourself that it’s deep fried, so it’s important to consume these grease balls ASAP! You won’t be disappointed! So yes, I definitely recommend…
RADA’S PIROSCKI!
Seriously, a tiny hole-​in-​the-​wall or literally a window located at Fort Street Mall. It’s NOT legit Russian like my parents friends, BUT it’s legit good! I can’t speak for the other PIROSCKI combos, but the ground beef, mushroom and cheese combo hit the mark! RADA’S also offers salads and a couple of lunch specials! However, I strongly suggest the PIROSCKI here! I mean it’s only $ 2.00 tax included! And it’s BIG like the SPUTNIK! Ahh, nvm sorry old Communist Russian joke! Get one or two to-​go today!
Da sveedaneeya! Aloha, Friend!
OVERALL GRADE: 4.0-STARS! (Solid)
Unilocal REVIEW ⁴⁵⁰⁄₅₀₀

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the calamari/​fried squid!
I just come here for this!
I get a plate of calamari, to share with the fams.
or
just a small bag, to go with my udon at Marukame.
Its so cheap & so good!
Its best to eat them hot out of the fryer!
I don’t usually use the sauce they provide,
Its even better with cocktail sauce or marinara sauce.
I have to make sure I make it home quick to use my own sauce to go with the yummy squid!
&
the price, its so cheap! under 2.00 for a bag of calamari
(the size of a small size fries at Mcd)
All I need is some alcohol & I’m good!
I better post this review before I get more hungry just thinking bout them squid!
Last FYI– Rada’s Piroscki shares the same business as Filipino fast food,
there is a separate window to place your order.

My Monster and I don’t do Valentine’s Day traditionally on the 14^th anymore so I decided to surprise him with these babies (they are his absolute favorite noms) and some of his other favorite foods for a non traditional Valentine’s Day present (not on the actual day).
He has been having these for decades and still has a special place in his heart for them. The dough is a flaky crunchy dough that is soft on the inside (like a heavy, savory malasada) and loaded with filling. His favorite? beef, mushroom, and cheese piroski. I took 6 home because the lady said they could be chilled or frozen and reheated in the oven until crisp. Moster was in awe and couldn’t stop smiling. He then inhaled one and saved the rest to eat for work the following week.

I had the beef n mushroom in lunch combo a. I wish it was a like hotter. The squid could have been more crispy… but the flavor is good. The piroscki could have been hotter but tasted good. Salad a little brown for my liking but I liked their dressing. May try them during the lunch rush to see of there is a difference in the crispy or hotness.

Been coming here since my mom was a student at HPU – some 25+ years ago – and though they’ve downsized &moved across the mall, I’m still a fan. Granted, Rada’s entire selection consists of only 5 items (3 types of piroscki, fried squid, & tossed salad), but there’s no denying that they are SOOO GOOD (yes, that good!) at what they do. ;D And they do it at a price-​point that actually competes with a certain Mc-​fast food place next door!
For about $ 2, you can get a solid – super heavy – 6″ x 3″ piroscki, packed with savory ground beef, cheese & mushrooms (or chicken/​cheese/​mushroom, or beef/​cheese/​cabbage, your choice)…and that should be enough to satiate your mid-​afternoon snack-​monster, or even works for a small lunch. I love that their piroscki are always consistent… very tasty, but never salty, never too much breading, & never too greasy (of course, it’ll be a little greasy… it is deep-​fried, after all). Can’t ask for much more than that!
If you’re looking for a full-​on meal – or just in the mood for something a little different – $ 1.85 will get you a little paper baggy of fried squid, which is deliciously battered, super light & crispy, & somehow always super tender and snackable! ;) They also have lunch specials – various combos of those 5 items – which include salad, for $ 4.75.
Keep in mind, all of these things are deep fried (aside from the tossed salad, which I’ve never tried), so I’m guessing that they’re best eaten fresh. But I can’t say for sure, since I usually start eating before I’ve even left the takeout-​window, and it’s all gone by the time I get back to my office, hehe. 0=) Oh! And I try to limit myself to going once a month, at most… I’m sure my arteries appreciate that.

I chose the Lunch Special A, which includes your choice of piroscki along with some fried squid and salad for $ 5.
The salad was rather weak– plain iceberg lettuce and some shaved carrots, with a clear dressing with dill. –_​–
The fried squid was great, but my lunch buddy made a great point that sri racha mayo would be a great dip for them! O_​O They kind of also made me want a beer.
THE PIROSCKI. Main event! :D Fried outer flaky dough– so great! Is this what a Polish Gramma’s house smells like? I chose the beef and cabbage piroscki, which had a unique flavor, a tiny bit sweet which may be from the cabbage or may be a spice added. Good size, plenty for a lunch. I wouldn’t recommend saving it for later– fresh n’ flaky, not reheated n’ soggy!
Stand outside at the window to order piroscki from the bustling grammas. The inside ordering area is for the Filipino food I think.
#100in2015 (#3)

My love for Piroshkis originated right here in the heart of downtown Honolulu at Rada’s Piroscki. Back when I was growing up they actually had their own storefront in the Fort Street Mall area. Now, however, it seems they have downsized and are operating out of a small window on the side of some Filipino take out shop. I’m not complaining though. As long as they are still available I don’t care if it comes out of a vending machine, I will still buy them.
There are just three options available for piroshkis from this place, and by far the best one is the beef, cheese and mushroom. The filling is smooth and tasty. You can clearly get the strong taste of Russian spices coming out through this pastry. The breading is just the right thickness and the outside is perfectly deep fried into a golden crisp.
Overall, this is the benchmark that I hold all other piroshkis to no matter where I go. I hope that they never stop serving these as they are, in my opinion, the best I have ever had.

I’ve grown up eating Rada’s because Rada used to drop off a huge box of her pirogi every Saturday at KGMB (where I worked — in TV), for AKU, but he never worked on weekends and she knew it so we all got to pig out every Saturday in the ‘70s when she still had a stall at Ala Moana Center and he’d still give her place a plug.
The quality is the same as far as I remember and how can you go wrong with the absolutely insanely low price? The pirogi is exactly the same as Rada used to mke it and brings back those happy, greasy, tasty drools just the same as when Rada was around,
If you haven’t you really should try the chicken cheese mushroom or the beef cheese mushroom, or a couple of each of them. They’re cheap enough and you’ll be hooked once you try ‘em. You also can’t beat the pricing at 2 dollars each AFTER tax.

I grew up eating Piroshki’s made by my Russian Grandmother. They are like a meat stuffed Malasada.
Rada’s makes a darn good one.
We tried the Chicken and Meat versions. Both were good.
Definitely returning…

I love this place! I used to come here all the time with my mom and dad as a kid. Their location used to be across the church, but they’ve joined with another restaurant over three years ago.
My favorite has always been the chicken, cheese, and mushroom plate lunch. I still remember dipping my squid into the salad dressing sauce which is I think white vinegar and garlic salt combined. Or, mom just orders a la carte and brings home about $ 20 worth of food. The prices were and still reasonable. The only downside is that the products are so oily that you’ll have a temporary stomach ache for a few hours.
Great for budget seekers and long time fans.
Not so much for salad and froyo lovers.

No matter what anybody says about this place or their food the Piroshkis are and have always been Amazing!!! Haven’t had one in 29 years and when I came home for a visit this past November and decided to check if they were still open I was glad to see that they were and that nothing had changed since I was a kid.
Still Awesome! Worth the extra workout!

I have wanted to try these ever since I walked through Fort Street mall. It is definitely not your European version, but it is good. I was able to try the beef, mushroom, and cheese and the chicken and cheese. I really like the outside pastry portion. It is flaky yet chewy and slightly doughy… a tough combo to duplicate. The flavor of the inside is good and I must say, a pretty good deal for 2 bucks… they are good size!
The restaurant itself is not the cleanest, but that doesn’t bother me. If that kind of thing is an issue for you, there is a walk up window as well.
I will go back and eat these again.
3.5 stars

Yippee skippy I am a happy camper! First, many mahalos to Wayne S for tipping this place yesterday! I never would have tried it otherwise. Guess that is what Unilocal is all about.
As far as ambiance… NADA. It is literally a window in the window of an adjoining Filipino restaurant. You can buy your Piroshki at the window and eat it at one of the tables in the restaurant which are jammed into a very small piece of real estate. Kinda shabby and not in the chic way. Beyond that, grab your soda or water and pull up a chair.
My mom and nana were from Russia so I grew up eating some very wonderful dishes, piroshki being one of them. My family loves piroshki and I spend many an afternoon slaving to make them. When Wayne Unilocaled that he stopped here it was game on and convinced honey bunny to track this place down for me. Never been to Ft Street Mall before so after figuring out where to park… recommend Century Square by the Cathedral on Bishop, and walked into the little mall from there, actually right behind the Cathedral.
We tried both the beef/​cheese/​mushroom and the beef cabbage. Not a fan of the beef cabbage but the beef/​cheese/​mushroom was spot on. Will be back next week and buy a dozen for the family dinner. Price was a mere $ 1.92 each. You can’t make them that inexpensively. Four stars for the food… yes!