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    Hamura Saimin

    3.8 (2.6k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Hamura Saimin Photos

    HAMURA SAIMIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Hamura Saimin

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    Menu
    Robin S.

    Always the small meal for me! Service is quick. A good filling meal. Eating here since I was a kid.

    Menu
    Michelle B.

    Our last stop before we headed to the airport and it was the best choice! My dad wanted something simple and comforting on the stomach and Hamura Saimin delivers. It felt like going to Aunty or Grandma's house for lunch. Make sure you bring cash because it's a cash only place. (Word to the visitors: That's when you know the food is legit in Hawaii) Walk in and take a seat anywhere. The menu is simple and straightforward because you can't go wrong with really anything. From their Saimin selection with varying sizes to quench any type of hunger to BBQ Beef Sticks (a local uncle was devouring this near us), Fried Noodles, or Deep Fried Oysters! Our family tried the Saimin, my Dad got a Small Regular Saimin and Mom and I shared a Medium Special Saimin. The difference was Egg and Roast Pork on the Special. Make sure to add Black Pepper and the Hot Mustard for that sinus kick (if you like a little spice like me). Not pictured was their Famous Lilikoi Chiffon Pie!! It was so soft and airy with that perfect amount of tart with a little bit of whipped cream dolloped on top. Devoured it at the airport...it was that good! Make sure you make a stop here if you're in Lihue!

    Special saimen
    Makiko N.

    The food is still good but service has gone downhill big time! I called to place a phone order and they didn't even ask my name or tell me how long and just hung up, so I called back to ask if they needed my name and how long only to be told they aren't busy so just come in. I did that and it was crowded so had to wait a bit for my food. I felt like I was getting dirty looks from the 2 female wait staff the entire time too. Such a bummer because they do have good food. The special saimen is my personal fav! It has so many toppings - wontons, pork, kamaboko, egg, cabbage - it's just really hits the spot! The lilikoi chiffon cake is also not to be missed. So light and fluffy with a hint of lilikoi flavor. If you're cool dining with a grumpy wait staff, this place is worth a visit. Old school vibe and you take a seat where there's an opening. Also don't forget, it's cash only.

    Inside
    Travis P.

    It was raining, so we were craving something soupy and comforting. We stumbled upon this place, and it definitely hit the spot. I loved the unique table setup, almost like a long bar, which gave it a cool, casual vibe. Here's what we tried: Sumo Bowl Saimin Special - What a fun dish. It comes with everything. I'm not sure if it's the best value, but it's definitely huge. We shared it and were both completely full, easily enough to serve 2 to 2.5 people. The broth and noodles were tasty and comforting. (4.5/5) Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - Delicious! Light, airy, and perfectly sweet. A great way to end the meal. (4.5/5) One thing to note: this place is still cash only. They don't charge tax, so the price listed on the menu is exactly what you'll pay. Service wasn't very friendly, I couldn't really get a smile or a thank you, but the food made up for it. Overall, come for the food, not the service. The eats were good, even if the hospitality wasn't very mahalo.

    Special Saimin
    Michelle C.

    Got seated quickly on a Tuesday. Only thing is it gets busy at 4 pm, so we did have a wait for our food. The waitresses might have forgotten our food, but apologized for that. I don't blame them because there were a lot of to-go orders they were preparing. I did not mind waiting. The diner is loved by the locals. It feels like a mom and pop shop. CASH ONLY

    Special Saimin
    Luis M.

    The seating for this noodle joint is set up like a single bar that snakes through the available space, which gives it a but if a cafeteria vibe. Not in a bad way necessarily, but it encourages people to walk in for a quick meal and move on. Our order got taken quickly and the food was out in no time. We got their Special Saimin and they did not skimp out on any of the toppings. The portion of the meal as a whole was very generous. The dish was focused more on delivering a comforting, consistently clean flavor, but it did leave one a bit wanting. It wasn't the most flavorful bowl of noodles I've ever had, but maybe it wasn't trying to be. The noodles themselves had great texture. All in all, a 3.5/5 experience, rounded down to 3.

    Dianna H.

    Note: cash only My last meal in Kauai was at this no frills local spot. We came by Monday morning around 11 right before heading to the airport and it wasn't too crowded. Was able to park and get seated quickly. As it's in the name, they're known for their saimin, though they offer some other noodle soup and fried noodle options as well. Seating is all on small barstools, which weren't the most comfortable. I don't recommend bringing large bookbags or purses as there's no place to put them except for on the ground. I got the special of the day, oxtail saimin soup ($20), as well a slice of the lilikoi chiffon pie ($6.50) to go. My friend wasn't super hungry and tried an order of their bbq chicken sticks for $3.75. The oxtail soup was very flavorful and came with 4 large pieces of oxtail. They were pretty fatty, but I think that's how most oxtail is and where the flavor comes from, so I just picked out the fatty bits. The soup also came with some egg and vegetables. To be honest, it was a bit hot to be eating noodle soup and I was sweating by the end of the meal (they only have fans, no AC), but I'm still glad I gave this place a try. My friend enjoyed his bbq chicken skewer. I had the lilikoi chiffon pie a couple hours later on the plane and it was okay. Reminded me a lot of a lemon chiffon pie with hints of lilikoi. I personally thought it was too sweet and wouldn't get it again.

    Oxtail Saimin
    Adrian A.

    When in Hawaii, saimin is a must. Hamura Saimin definitely hit the spot. Just keep in mind the place is cash only! Self seating at communal countertops was simple enough. Condiments were readily available. Had to try the Oxtail Saimin especially once we realized it was only available on Mondays and Fridays. Great flavor and generous portions here. The Sumo Bowl Saimin Special was a welcome challenge after the logistical gauntlet of travel and navigation. Food coma status and a much needed rest after finishing. Seeing locals stop in for quick bites was enough to tell us that this was a good pick. While I wish I could give this overall experience a full 5 stars, I have to deduct a bit for the service. Interactions were efficient but a bit abrupt. Food was great, but minus a half star for the vibes.

    Won Ton Min and BBQ Beef Stick after I already started eating it.
    Debbie K.

    We came on a week day during an off time, 3 pm, as we had a few hours to kill before catching our flight back home. I hadn't been here in years. There was only one other group of people inside. No AC and was a warm afternoon. Just wanted to hurry up eat and jump back in our AC car. There is parking right in front and the ladies working were friendly and expeditious. I wanted to try the Oxtail Saimin but it's only available on Mondays and Fridays so I settled for a Won Ton Min and a Beef BBQ stick, hubby just ordered a small saimin. Everything was delicious, that old school saimin stand delicious, BBQ stick was Ono, thinly sliced skewered beef in a delicious sauce and charred just a little bit. I wanted the Liliokoi Pie but was too full. Anytime we're in Kauai have to stop here at least once!

    Special Saimin xl
    Ray N.

    Hamura Saimin is an institution: I've been eating here since I was a kid. The remodel is nice: the place is much brighter inside than before. It can get really hot inside of its super crowded, but the ceiling fans do a pretty good job. If you like saimin, you'll enjoy this place. The saimin is pretty good, and served with all the accompaniments (chili water, mustard) that you need. The lillikoi chiffon pie is truly extraordinary and famous: it's like eating a deliciously tangy cloud. The meringue is super light, and the flavor is subtle and sweet. I could probably eat a whole pie.

    Lilikoi Chiffon Pie
    Diane W.

    Flew in, got the car, and cane straight here. Got two bbq chicken sticks ( delicious), shrimp saimin, and medium saimin ( regular). Everything was good, medium was more than enough. The lilikoi chiffon pie wasn't as sweet as most lilikoi dishes, and it was super light and tasty. Ate it all there...so much for it to go. It was pretty warm inside, even though the ceiling fans were on. Cash only.

    Sumo Bowl Saimin Special - $24
    Michael X.

    Was looking for some good dinner options in the Lihue area, and Hamura Saimin popped up as an interesting option to check out! I haven't tried Saimin in Hawaii before, and this places looked to be highly rated by the local reviewers and, so we stopped by on a Sunday around 7:30PM and had a 5-7 minute wait before getting seated. There is nearby parking just across the street from the restaurant, and we were luckily able to find a spot. I could see this place filling up quickly on a more busy lunch/dinner rush, but on a rainy night like the night we went, it had a couple of vacant spots. Seating within the restaurant is open - there are not really individually defined tables, but groups of tables where you seat with other fellow diners. The restaurant was quite busy and there were about 2 servers handling like 20 - 25 people. Service is relatively fast - we got our food about 10 minutes after ordering. We ordered the Sumo bowl saimin special for $24 - which I think is solid if you are really hungry and are able to eat lot of food, and I even think this bowl is better shared between two people. The broth has a delicious flavor - it is rich and salty, and you can taste the dashi, which gives it a subtle seafood/pleasant fishy flavor. There is a generous amount of noodles and additions in the bowl - true to its name. The egg noodles were nice and chewy and continue cooking when served to a pleasant softness. Everything in the bowl is carried by the broth, which adds a subtle salty depth to each bite. It definitely feels like a comforting homestyle dish. We also got the Lilikoi Chiffon Pie for $6.50, which looked really enticing from other reviewer's pictures. I think this is my favorite thing here! I haven't had a chiffon pie before, and this is definitely the lightest pie that I have ever had. It's super airy, and carries a faint tart sweet lilikoi flavor. It's like eating a super airy whip cream that just melts in the your mouth as soon as it touches your tongue. In the end, I think that Hamura Saimin is a decent option if you are looking for a comforting homestyle meal here in Lihue. I think the medium/large saimin is enough for most people and it's only $8 - $11. I think the star option that is a must try here is definitely the lilikoi chiffon pie, it's pretty unique and is a excellent contrast in flavor/texture to the saimin. As over reviewers have mentioned, this is a cash only establishment, so make sure to bring some!

    New deep fried oyster
    Henry P.

    So we had to stop by Hamura samin Haven't been here for ever and we got the following items Special saimin Shrimp saimin Wonton min Chicken stick Deep fried Oyster

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    Hamura Saimin Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hamura Saimin

    Do they sell uncooked noodles?

    As far as I know they do.I haven't eaten there in a while.

    Is there any way to buy a t-shirt and have it shipped to another state?

    You could try calling Hamuras and asking if they would do that.. They are still a cash only business so I'm not now sure how payment would work if you reside out of state. Sorry hope this helps!

    Is there any vegetarian option?

    No, they have Udon, but that has "fish cake" in it.

    I want to bring a lilikoi pie back home to Los Angeles... what's the best way to do this?

    You can probably bring it as a carry-on item. Freeze it beforehand so that it keeps through the ride better.

    Any takeout menu? Can I buy only noodle?!

    Hey no longer sell uncooked noodles by the box.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Fish Express - Spicy Ahi & Spicy Salmon poke

    The Fish Express

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    When stopping by Lihue, we were looking for a place where you can get some delicious poke quickly,…read moreand The Fish Express popped up as an interesting option to stop by. We went on a Saturday around lunchtime and it wasn't too busy. There is a small parking lot near the restaurant on the left hand side. It was filled when we first got there, but we were luckily able to get a spot. I could see this lot filling up quickly during other meal rush hours, so do take note if you plan on driving. The ordering is done like your typical poke place, you tell the service worker what you would like and there's a small toppings bar at the end before the cashier. There was a small line when we went, and even with the line, it still only took about 5-10 minutes to get our food. There isn't interior seating in the restaurant though, you will have to get your food take out, or just eat in the parking lot. I got the 3 scoops of poke option for $15.25, and I think that this is a pretty solid deal for the variety of fish that you can try out! I think based on my personal experience on Kaua'i, it will be difficult to get food, especially poke at a reasonable price. But for this price, it's probably the best place on the island to get poke without paying $20+ for the same variety. The fish tasted fresh, and I am a fan of the selection of toppings they had. If you are in the Lihue area and looking to try some poke at a reasonable price, I would recommend The Fish Express! There seems to be a decent amount of other interesting looking options on the menu, and if I'm ever in the area again, I would totally give them a try!

    I was recommended this place by a local tour guide and I think it was pretty good, portion size was…read moreok wish they served more in their scoop and they had a variety of toppings. The staff were very nice and gave their best recommendations which the flavors were spot on.

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    The Fish Express
    The Fish Express - One of the best poke spots!

    One of the best poke spots!

    The Fish Express - Tuna Sashimi and Unagi bento

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    Hualani's - Fresh beets

    Hualani's

    4.4(439 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$$

    Hualani's was the place to be during sunset. The gorgeous front view of the ocean and lighthouse…read morewere to die for. We came when there was a performance and the food was delicious. Our waiter Tron was very informative of the dishes and drinks. We enjoyed our time here. We ordered the coconut shrimps, and potstickers. They both were plentiful of flavor. My friends ordered the sea bass and the fish & chips, Ono seafood dish, and the dynamite dish. Everything was huge in portion and delicious.

    Overall, we had a good experience at Hualani's. The service was generally professional, and…read moreeverything felt well organized and at a good level. We tried the French Onion Soup and Crispy Octopus. Both were fine, but nothing especially memorable. The Misoyaki Seabass, however, was excellent and honestly a pleasant surprise - very flavorful, tender, and well prepared. We also ordered the Captain's Combo, which was an interesting combination of two different fish preparations. I think it is a good choice if you are not sure which fish dish you want to try, because it gives you a nice variety on one plate. The only downside was that one of the servers spent about 15 minutes talking very loudly with the table next to us about nothing important. It was distracting and felt inappropriate for the atmosphere of the restaurant. Also, this restaurant seems to be promoted as a place with a view, but in reality the view was not very impressive from where we were seated. Overall, the food and service were good, and I would give it 4 stars. It is a nice restaurant, but there is still room for improvement.

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    Hualani's - Oceanfront Dining on Kaua'i

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    Whole fried Kampachi - appetizer for entree

    Hualani's - Night views from the patio andlive music

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    Kaua’i Diner - Banana lumpia with vanilla ice cream

    Kaua’i Diner

    4.3(246 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Perfect place to start this rainy Kauai weekend! It was 3 minutes away from where we were, the Sixt…read moreRental Cars. They have a great selection of Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner options. The prices are very reasonable! We probably saved $3-10 off each plate coming from Maui. My dad got the LauLau Plate and said the meat was soft and moist and my mom NEVER annihilates her food and she literally ate every bite of her Steamed Fish which was Catfish today. It had this yummy soy or sesame sauce with some green onions and ginger on top. My Oxtail Soup with Rice was perfect for the cold rainy day. Delicious pieces of fall off the bone oxtail and I literally dumped all the cilantro and ginger in the hot broth. Mom and I had a bit of a fuzzy throat so we got the Calamansi Juice with Honey which was delicious! As you sip, you taste pieces of Calamansi and see swirls of seeds and calamansi skin. If you like pulp, you'd enjoy this refreshing drink. We ended the meal with 4 pieces of hot egg tarts! I'm surprised they had them because when I go to Oahu, there's some spots where you special order them on the weekends. Overall, a delicious local spot here in Lihue!

    Lots of locals dining in! Must be good…read more.. Only one waitress working the entire restaurant, but doing a commendable job! And she was smiling... After getting our ice water, cutlery and menus, we quickly settled on the French toast breakfast, which included fluffy French toast, bacon, and 2 eggs cooked to order. Ono! Added apple juice to the meal. Happy, full, and satisfied! Woo hoo!

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    Kaua’i Diner - Interior

    Interior

    Kaua’i Diner - Egg Tarts

    Egg Tarts

    Kaua’i Diner - Inside looking towards the door.

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    Inside looking towards the door.

    Richie's Huli BBQ - $18 Huli chicken plate

    Richie's Huli BBQ

    5.0(56 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    Richie's Huli BBQ is unreal. Holy shit--this is hands down the best chicken we've ever had. It was…read moreperfectly cooked, insanely moist, and packed with flavor. Every bite was delicious. On top of that, the prices are super reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. You get amazing food without feeling ripped off, which is rare these days. If you're anywhere near this place, do yourself a favor and stop in. We'll definitely be back!

    Since we had eaten so much fish during our trip we were looking for some good bbq chicken. (You are…read morekind of reminded every day since there are so many chickens around LOL). So in looking through Yelp we saw Richie's. Since it is a food truck we were not sure exactly where it was. After reviewing the most recent reviews we saw it was right down the street where we were staying. It was in the area by Haole Girl Island Sweets. Everyone mentioned getting there early as the close once they sellout. They usually have the Huli Huli Chicken on Friday and Saturday but check to see. Quite a few people were already seated at the picnic table when we arrived around 11:30am. We were greeted right away and ordered the half chicken with macaroni salad and a roll. We stood by the grill area looking at all the good food being prepared. Smelled like heaven. When we got our food we were amazed at how much was there. Large portions. They serve it with a pineapple white sauce that is so tasty. The macaroni salad was good as well. Also some white rice on the side. Best chicken we have had in a while. Thanks to Richie! Check you out next time in town. We saw a red food truck so turned into the parking lot. You could smell the bbq cooking.

    Photos
    Richie's Huli BBQ
    Richie's Huli BBQ - Huli huli chicken was FIRE! Huge serving which fed our family of four!

    Huli huli chicken was FIRE! Huge serving which fed our family of four!

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    Hamura Saimin - japanese - Updated May 2026

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