Always the comfort of feeling at home here at da Palace Saimin! Friendly service with iced water upon arrival and no need to look up at da Menu! Combo Noodle Bowl & 4 BBQ Meat Sticks is the perfect meal for me! Add a side of their nasal clearing mustard to dip my won tons in and The Palace Party is on! Love this place and those that keep serving up a simple but consistent menu! For me, It's da BEST NOODLES & BBQ Meat sticks on Oahu! The classic family photos and memorabilia on da walls, also bring a heart warming smile to my lips before slurping down my pipping hot Combo Noodle Bowl! Mahalo Palace Saimin! See you again, real soon! Sluuuuuuuuuuuurp! ‼ read more

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Finally got a chance to try this OG Saimen shop. Great local only feel and wonderful, simple and amazing food. The menu is simple, Small, med, and large and a wonton option as well. BBQ sticks and fountain soda. That's it. Order at the table, and you are served fast and efficiently. I feel like this place hasn't change in decades. The formula works. Huge portions for the cost, a great value but the Saimen is amazing. Parking is pretty tough. Only a few spots in front and there is almost no existing street parking so be forewarned. read more

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Nice old school saimin that has a nostalgic taste. Saimin was brought out super quick and piping hot. We also ordered beef sticks and those were the best I ever had especially when eated right away. Enjoyed this place a lot, service was good too as our water was filled w/o having to ask and food was brought promptly. Parking is in front but there is only like 6 stalls. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Palace Saimin - Large won ton min , large saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Sure, you can get saimin at a number of eateries throughout Oahu from local chains (including Zippy's, of course) to vintage spots like this one. Operating since 1946, Palace has a unique local vibe that felt spartan yet casually friendly. Jamie W and I took the local bus, the 42, and then walked through a heavily industrial area to get here. We expected a wait on a Saturday morning, but no, there was a table free just for us. It honestly looked like an employee lunch room, but we really didn't come for ambiance. The backlit menu on the wall was similarly sparse as it focused on the essentials - saimin, won ton, udon, and meat sticks with various combinations offered. And that was it (Photo 3). Pretty easy. We both ordered large bowls of the $10.25 Won Ton Min since we got five won tons to go with the saimin noodles, pork chashu, and chopped green onion (Photo 9). It was genuinely top of the class with the curly noodles swimming in the savory broth which was made with boiled pork and beef bones. The richness made a huge difference over the standard dashi broth. Because I knew how popular they were from YouTube vloggers, we both ordered the $4 BBQ Sticks, chunks of tasty teriyaki beef on bamboo skewers (Photo 8). It was totally worth the long bus ride. I was motivated to buy the 80th anniversary T-shirt (Photo 6). FOOD - 5 stars...as good as saimin gets thanks to the rich broth and al dente noodles AMBIANCE - 4 stars...it's really a lunch room but a serviceable one SERVICE - 5 stars...the female owner was really friendly TOTAL - 5 stars...definitely coming back on our next Honolulu adventure RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/uYcafC7R5e read more

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My mom said, it was the best saimin she's ever had in her entire life! Service was amazing, they were so nice and food came out fast and piping hot. Broth was flavorful and simple. Noodles were chewy and fresh and, I loved the flavor of the beef was soft and juicy. Cute place so homey. Mahalo for the 'ono food! read more

Palace Saimin - Wonton Min & Bbq Stick - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Update 3-4-26. After picking up papers in town coming back towards home my husband said let's see if get parking at Palace Saimin and if get we go eat. Well had 1 stall we was lucky So went in and we ordered small won tun mein and BBQ stick. This time the won ton was good wasnt gummy and broth came out hot. The BBQ stick was lightly marinated and even though the meat was alittle sliced on the thick side it was ok. All in all it was better than the last time we went they improved alot more on the won tun wrappers. read more

Palace Saimin - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This was my first meal in Hawaii and I thought the restaurant was very cute and cozy. The staff were also very welcoming. They specialize in saimin, so there are only a few options on the menu (which I think is great because it makes choosing something a lot easier). I got the saimin with wontons and it was such a comforting and filling meal. The mustard that is served with the noodles is quite strong so I didn't eat it, but the BBQ skewers were done very nicely! I think this isn't something I would get often, but I definitely enjoyed my first experience. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Finally got a chance to go check them out again after 50 years, Just love the old fashion pure saimin stand and real bar b que sticks, not just a side order of Teri beef, an actual stick. This used to be the must do stop after a late night when I was in my twenties. The menu is simple but that is why it is still so good, they keep doing it right. read more

An OG classic off king st, this place keeps it hella simple and serves just a few things: saimin, udon, wontons, and meat sticks. Tbh brah if I come here, Im coming here for some saimin so I can't speak on the other things but yeah. Saimin here is gas. Not much seating + the parking kinda lame so just be aware depending on when you stopping by. read more

Palace Saimin - Saimin CHEEE - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This was the best meal I had in Honolulu during my trip. It's a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a straightforward menu. We had a lot of luggage with us, and they were so welcoming and accommodating and let us keep the luggage in the restaurant while we dined in. We tried the bbq sticks, and I got the wonton min (saimin with wontons) and my boyfriend got the saimin. The bbq sticks were so good and flavorful, and I loved how simple and deciduous the saimin and wontons were. The prices were also incredible, especially for Honolulu. I'd definitely come here on a regular occasion if I lived closer and would highly recommend for a good bowl of delicious saimin. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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First time visiting here. Won't be my last. First of all the prices can't be beat, secondly the saimin is simply delicious. The service is friendly and feels like eating at my families house. Much aloha! No glitz and glamour just a hole in the wall joint that I would take over a fancy pricey restaurant any day. 80 years in business, you know they're doing something right. read more

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Gotta support these OG places! Saimin is firm, broth is shrimps/ aroma is in the air. Prices still reasonable and service is fast and friendly. Take credit card and debit card, no % charge..There's about 5-6 parking stalls, otherwise find street or a post office parking lot at night/ Sundays. Even large bowl saimin is hefty. Good side beef chunks for the BBQ stick. i'm gonna try the combo next time (mix of saimin/ udon/ won ton)? read more

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it! . Old school saimin places are just so hard to find and Palace Saimin hits in all the right places. The menu is short selling only saimin, udon, wontons, and beef sticks. Telling by how packed this place is - they're doing something right! The menu and it's reasonable prices are obviously working so if you're in the area on a cold, rainy day I'd encourage you stop on by! My favorite menu item is definitely the 4.00 USD beef sticks. Pair it with your complimentary side of hot mustard and your favorite bowl of soup - YUM! . Parking and indoor seating space is limited. Service is quick. Staff are friendly. Card and cash accepted. read more

They know what they're doing at Palace Saimin! This was my family's first time eating here and we all loved it! I had the wonton min, it was fabulous! The broth is straight forward and needs nothing. Perfect noodles. The service was friendly, warm and welcoming. Our water never stayed less than full for long. The menu is simple, which makes ordering a breeze. Cute little hole in the wall. If you like simple, old school style saimin, you'll love it here. Best saimin I ever had in my life! I'd eat it on a hot and humid summer day like today, anytime! read more

Palace Saimin is a place for local comfort food in an unassuming place in Kalihi. Many old timers in the area are fond of their famous saimin and BBQ sticks from their younger days and have yearnings to re-visit from time to time.....like my older family members. It's a small, casual, no frills type of food joint. Service was friendly and attentive. Parking is limited in the shared lot and can be challenging especially during peak hours. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This was my first stop for food. It's definitely a comfort food. I'd gladly come back!! Not only for the food, but for the wonderful customer service. I felt welcomed and cared for and I truly appreciate that. I see why they've been open for almost 80 years!!! I'm excited to come back for that bbq stick. So delicious! The menu isn't terribly extensive, but it's perfect. The whole process is quick and easy. read more

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This place is the spot for saimin, hands down, no contest. Every time I'm on the mainland hunting for good ramen, this is what I'm craving but can never find. Too bad they don't have a location up there they'd absolutely kill it in the winter. This is one of the last true old school saimin spots standing and has been a cornerstone of the Kalihi food scene for generations. There aren't many places I actually remember eating at as a little kid, but this is one of them. And honestly it hasn't changed in decades, and that's a good thing. Still the same layout, same menu on the wall, still only about eight tables and five parking spots, and the aunties working here? Still rocking those warm smiles while making sure tables turn over fast. The saimin? Still legendary. The noodles have that perfect chewiness, the broth and diced char siu are magic, and the beef sticks? They got better over time and thicker....just tender, flavorful beef with zero fat nonsense. But this is one of those places where the saimin is best eaten fresh at the table. Something about the steam, freshness of the noodles, and the broth just hits different when you're sitting there. Pro tip - go past lunch (2-3 pm) or early because parking is a battle (with only five spots) and seating is super limited. But it's worth the effort. My husband declared his won ton min the best ever, and honestly, I can't argue with him. And let's talk price, $8 for a large saimin? In this economy with this inflation? Seems like a steal. I'm just grateful this place has survived until now, serving up the same Saimin I grew up on. read more

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Palace Saimin...old school local family restaurant didn't disappoint. Ordered the combination, which was the udon/saimin/and won ton min. Noodles were perfect and chewy, and dashi was oishi and came out piping hot. Saidon (saimin/udon) was equally oishi. BBQ sticks were good. Wish they were a little more marinated with a stronger teriyaki taste, but enjoyed it. Server...I think owners daughter, was so friendly and nice. Highly recommend, and definitely love supporting local. *Small parking lot, but perfect timing, and found a space. read more

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I loved the saimin here! The soup came piping hot and the noodles had a good chewiness. It's a simple dish done well. I liked adding the chili powder and mustard in the soup. The bowl is affordable and I could see myself coming here often if I were in the area. The teri sticks were a bit tough and bland, so I probably wouldn't get them again unless I wanted some meat on the side. Very small parking lot and is a bit of a hole in the wall. Service was efficient and friendly. read more

Palace Saimin - Large saimin with teri sticks - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

All the comfort of a steaming bowl of saimin without the bougie frills. It's saimin done quick and done right. How do they pack so much umami into every spoonful of this delicious broth?! And the noodles are cooked perfectly. Neither mushy nor underdone. What a little gem. Popular among locals. Mmmmm! read more

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Old school saimin at local no frills joint. We are the only non-locals in the place and of the few who are not seniors. All to say, that this is a local lovers spot that has a loyal following. We had the classic saimin and the saimin with won tons. The noodles had just the right chew and the broth was comforting and flavorful. The portion size was decent and prices were fair. Ambiance is minimal, clean and all that you need it to be. Service is friendly and a bit abrupt as the few working had full tables, plus a short wait and to go orders as well. I was really looking for a memory of my childhood and I found it here. read more

Palace Saimin - saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My friends know that Saimin simply does not impress me. I grew up eating S&S saimin in the freezer, sometimes get da styrofoam bowl from McDs. It's a cheap and easy meal, and all the famous places I've tried so far have been letdowns. Until now. I'm told Palace has been around for decades, feeding generations of customers. It's a landmark hole-in-the-wall that Joe Moore himself visits. However, the hours have been shortened down to 8pm, close Sun-Mon. I ordered the small won ton min ($9.25) and two BBQ sticks ($4ea). Next time I'll have to try the udon, or the combination, which has won ton, saimin, and udon. The broth has an inexplicable depth of flavor, beyond the simple saltiness of S&S. There's a unique, savory shift that I did not experience at other renowned saimineries while sipping. The noodles had a perfect bounce - springy yet toothy, with a mild eggy flavor that complements the broth. The wontons are hand-made and full of flavor. A nice little meat treat of freshness, garnished with green onion and kamaboko slices. It only gets better with the BBQ sticks - super tender, juicy skewers of beef. The sauce is light, more a whisper than a statement, allowing the natural flavor and quality of the beef to speak for itself. You'll also find subtle notes of the smoky, charcoal-grilled technique that keeps the meat moist. It may seem a bit daunting at $4 a skewer, but trust me, you won't want to miss out. The aunties working the counter were super nice and had great rapport with the public. It's good food, good people, and honestly, I can't wait to go again. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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8/6/25 My favorite "Old School Style Saimin" restaurant Been coming here since the '70s I always have the Small Wun Tun Min w added chili pepper powder Pieces of Charsiu n green onions made for a simple but tasty dish Don't forget to order a side of Teri BBQ Sticks... So Ono! Yes it was a Hot Sticky "Kona Winds" day but always worth it! read more

Palace Saimin - 8/6/25 Small Wun Tun Min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This place is a pillar in the Kalihi community. It's family owned and has been around for nearly 75 years. They hand make their own dumplings (I've seen them making them by hand in the back). I love that this bowl of Saimin is so tasty, a lot of food and still very cheap despite it being more expensive over the years. The small won ton min is still under $10! Service is always great because this local family appreciates the support. It's a tiny hole in the wall spot with no AC, so don't expect something fancy. Amazing business, menu, food and workers. It's my go-to Saimin spot! read more

Palace Saimin - Small won ton min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Had to bring my grandchildren to Palace Saimin. I want them to experience the old school Saimin stand and there's no place better than Palace. Love the good old Saimin with dashi and bbq stick. Got their cool t-shirt. Wish they had children sizes toon Everyone loved it. Thank you Palace Saimin for being here read more

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Palace Saimin has now become our go to spot for Saimin. This was a small joint with a few tables that served just Saimin and skewers. I don't recommend sitting next to the ice machine as it was pumping out hot air on the nearest table. Simple decor but focused on delivering satisfying saimin. All staff were quite friendly and checked on all diners quite regularly. We ordered the standard wonton min and combo with udon. Portions were generous, both types of noodles had nice chewy texture, broth was delicious but it was the tasty wontons that sealed the five star rating. They were that good. read more

Palace Saimin - Combination - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is one of the hidden gem that I wasn't expected but was very pleasantly surprised. It's not an easy place to find because its store front is quite inconspicuous and there is not a lot of parking in front of it. The owner was extremely nice and the food was delicious! This is the first time we tried Saimin and we ordered Wonton min and Saidon (Saimin and Udon). The Saimin noodle was al dente and the taste of the broth was clean. Wonton is packed with meat and it goes well with the noodle. The best part of the whole meal was the barbecue stick! It was so delicious that we re-ordered again. All in all, this is one of the highlights of our Hawaii trip and I would definitely be back again for more. Highly recommended! read more

Palace Saimin - Barbecue sticks, Wonton Min, Saidon - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a mom and pop Saimin shop. It's so cozy and cute. The Saimin is so delicious and don't miss out on ordering the teriyaki beef read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This hole in the wall mama & pop kine of place is my 2nd favorite saimin place in Kalihi because I grew up eating across the street at Old Saimin House - IYKYK but anyways this place hits differently but is still so satisfying. The only reason why I'm giving this a 4 star is because of the parking. Other than that the staff are super friendly, their service is fast, and you just can't go wrong with a big bowl of warm saimin! The ultimate local staple. I usually always get either the Large Saimin ($8.00) or Large Wonton Min - $10.25 (depending how hungry I am) and 2 BBQ sticks ($4 each). Been coming here since I was little & continue to do so when I get that craving! A MUST HIT UP PLACE IF YOU'RE EVER IN THE AREA!! read more

AMBIANCE Quaint, small, mom and pop, local establishment. 10 tables, turns over fast. SERVICE Prompt and friendly. FOOD Hit my crave spot. I always order a small wonton mein to keep my carb intake to a minimum. I love the old fashion shrimp broth with extra green onion and char sui. OVERALL Please don't ever go out of business. Honolulu wouldn't be the same. read more

30 some years and they are still open! I hope to go there and have a bowl of saimin and a few bbq sticks and maybe I'll see Robert Cazimero there, again! read more

It's been a staple in my life growing up. It's a small mom and pop store with a simple menu, but it always hits the spot whenever I go there. The beef stick has changed over the years, but still definitely tasty. I am a bit sad their hours changed. I remember coming here late at night or during the weekends, but now I have a hard time making it over to them while they're open. read more

CODY arrived when they opened at 10am CODY timing was good cause small parking lot filled up, so did the diner CODY ordered large saimin with BBQ stick CODY food was tasty CODY servers were friendly and speedy CODY small dining area was clean, with bench seating, oldish fixtures CODY will return to order more food read more

Palace Saimin - Mr Ice Water awaits the food - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I am so happy their hours have changed to the weekends. Simplicity at its finest. Reminds me of my childhood, having Saimin with my Dad. Comfort food that will make you smile throughout your meal. Saimin, Udon, and BBQ sticks are on the menu. That's it, and I love it!! read more

Palace Saimin - SAIDON - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This place is a staple. It's survived, Covid, economic down turns and its still in the same place it was 40 years ago. This is a testament to their quality and service. Highly recommend this place even though it's very small, no AC.. the food even on a blasting hot day is worth it. No line, great service, great food. Lots of memories here and I hope it's around in YEARS to come. The only regret I have of this place is that I didn't support it and review it sooner. read more

My boyfriend & I got the won ton saiman for our visit and it was both delicious and cheap (in pricing). The service was very friendly.

Couldn't resist not paying a visit to my one and only favorite local kine SAIMIN STAND in Kalihi the "Palace Saimin Stand" ~ Because I live so far out in EWA Beach, miles from downtown Honolulu and Kalihi, it takes me having a visit to see my vascular surgeon at Queen's Medical Center / Physician Offices that provides me with the opportunity to always drop in to have a steamy hot bowl of SAIMIN and a Barbecue Steak Stick or two at the Palace SAIMIN ~ I've been eating there for years and have extremely fond memories of the many hot bowls of old-fashion kine saimin each time I ate there ~ Of course the "prices" have increased from $2.50 for a small SAIMIN, $3.50 for a large to $5.00 for a X-large and now to today's current prices ~ Today's meal which I ordered was a Large SAIMIN and a Barbecue Steak Stick was $14.00. Here's the very odd thing about my experience there lately ~ I've always preferred to order just a plain Large SAIMIN but I always get instead a Large Won Ton Min and instead of the one Barbecue Steak Stick I always get "2" (I refer to their barbecue sticks as "STEAK STICKS" because they're large chunks of Beef Steak not thin shabu Shabu style slices). And finally I always try to pay my bill with the exact change ~ So when I tallied up my payment for this afternoon's meal it should've been at least $16.00 but after paying with a $20.00 dollar bill I instead received $6.00 in change (which was more than I expected back) ~ I always leave $3.00 or more dollars for a "tip" because it's my favorite and only SAIMIN Stand left on this island that I enjoy ~ If you visit this restaurant you will see very faded aged photos of all the past STAFF members of this iconic eatery throughout the years ~ All the ladies I personally recognized from the hundreds of visits and steamy bowls of delicious SAIMIN I consumed there read more

Palace Saimin - $7.50 per Barbecue Steak Stick - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I would not eat hot soup when it's hot out unless it was from Palace Saimin. The saimin with wonton was incredibly flavorful. The bbq stick also hit the spot. Service was friendly and attentive but be warned the place is hard to miss, the parking lot and restaurant are small and toasty. read more

Palace Saimin - I like hot mustard. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

So so so good. I saw saimin in some Hawaiian youtubers' vlogs and knew I had to try it here. We both got the wonton saimin and the broth was so flavourful and light. The saimin had a nice bounce to them, and the wontons were generous and meaty! We each got a bbq skewer and I liked them too. The server was very nice and they had really refreshing ice cold water. Highly recommend if you're looking for something light, tasty, and cheap! read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Classic. It's so popular. I'm not a min person so I would opt for the wuntun only... no min. The bbq sticks are not soft and juicy as in the past, but die hard loyal customers keeps this place busy. read more

Palace Saimin - Bbq sticks - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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