Wonton min was delicous and soup was hot and tastyyyy! Bbq sticks were sooo good and don't forget to get it with extra sauce. May have a wait as this is a hole in the wall place, inside dining is a small booth style restaurant. Service was speedy. Our waitress was nice and very talkative with all the customers. Must try saimin spot in Honolulu read more

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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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Been coming here for a long time. Everything is always super ono, old school style saimin. Their bbq sticks are actual pieces of beef, not the thin slices that you normally see and the sauce ... oh that sauce is gold. read more

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This is Saimin. No frills, no wasted time or ingredients, this is your Webster Miriam textbook definition of Saimin. I always have to grab some and my dad who spent some time growing up in Oahu loves it too. Service is straightforward and quick. They're often busy and the place is hot, ambiance is lowkey but you just know it's a beloved spot in the community. The parking lot is small but you can park nearby or just wait it out. Prices are still decent given inflation and the popularity. If you're looking for some cousin of fancy ramen, a well balanced broth using organic proteins and question whether MSG was in it, this isn't the place for you. This is Saimin that brings you back to your childhood and warms your bones in a good way even when it is hot and humid outside. 4 stars only because my last two visits the fountain sodas needed more syrup and it's just something I feel like they should be on top of a bit more. read more

Awesome spot. You know a place is good when you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. First time having saimin. I love the noodles. Super bouncy. The broth is nice and warm. Be careful with the mustard, it has a kick. read more

Palace Saimin - Saimin and Bbq Sticks - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I was so ono for Saimin and we were near to Kalihi. You got it!!! Palace Saimin!!! If you're a visitor of the islands, Saimin is an Asian local Hawaii food that started during the plantation days. Most of Hawaii local favorite foods are from the plantation days when the different nationalities got together for lunch and shared their food. That's where plate lunch was born. Palace Saimin has takeout or dine in, a real "hole in da wall" kinda place. There's parking just enough for eating there and for a fast takeout to eat at home. Service is always fast and a lot of people wanna eat so no talk story for too long. I know a lot of locals who haven't eaten here. What are you waiting for? As for the visitors, enjoy one of Hawaii's favorite food and no forget order the Barbecue beef stick!!! Enjoy my friends!! read more

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Palace saimin never disappoints, best comfort food, so tasty!!! Best bbq sticks ever!!! read more

Palace Saimin - Large Wonton Min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Lovely place to enjoy a simple tasty bowl of saimin with BBQ sticks with a fountain drink. The servers are friendly & attentive. Water glass was filled before it was empty. Reasonable prices. Will go back to enjoy again soon! Highly recommend. read more

A great hole in the wall that is a must visit every time. The service is quick and they're very friendly. It's great for any time of day and the food is very well priced. Everything is extremely flavorful and I will always recommend this to anyone that's in the area! read more

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

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I ordered the wonton udon extra large for $11.25 with a barbeque stick for $4 and I was so full after barely finishing. The soup was so good to the last drop and the udon was so chewy and tasty. The barbeque stick was a real solid beef steak with a very nice terry sauce, just perfect. The price is really cheap and the service very friendly. This is definitely a gem even after 79 years. read more

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Ambiance was Quaint and the service came quick while the Menu was Simple. No one stays in business long with a menu so short, without perfecting what they serve. Definitely a place to visit for BBQ skewers Saimin/Wontonmin.. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Ok I understand and appreciate that this is a small independent long time local establishment. I really wanted to fall in love with this place like my fellow yelpers, but I'm sorry I don't get what all the hype is about. The broth is lacking in flavor. The won ton was bland. Sadly, the beef sticks were probably the tasteless item we ordered. We were so disappointed and sad. The one positive though is that the service was prompt and friendly. read more

My sister eats here every time she visits from California. I eat here probably every 4-6 weeks. You just can't go wrong! read more

Palace Saimin - Large won ton mein. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A hole in the wall for saimin! Where else can you get a meal for under $10. A tiny tiny place but fulfilling for a bowl of saimin and a beef stick. Loved my wonton min. Simple and just the way I like it. I wolfed the beef stick before I took a photo. Support this local institution for you saimin fix!!! read more

Palace Saimin - Saimin Wonton Min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It's been years since my last visit, 15 years to be exact, lol. We got lucky and got a parking stall right in front. We were greeted by the staff and they gave us a choice of our table. It was such a nice comfortable feeling, very at ease, mom and pop style. We had the a small and large wonton min which looked a little on the small side but after stirring it up, it really was a lot. The broth was amazingly good just where they left off since my last visit. We also ordered 2 Teriyaki sticks that were lean, tender, and flavorful. The perfect combination. I actually ordered 4 more orders for take-out for the family at home. They all enjoyed it too. Im so glad, they're still around making it a revisited nostalgia feeling. Mahalo! read more

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The Best Saimin on the Island ... the dashi is served piping hot & stays hot thru the meal. ... w/ the best BBQ sticks ever. ..... parking & tables R limited read more

Parking is limited as is seating. Service is fast and friendly and correct. Prices are reasonable. read more

Quick friendly service and huge portions. They been open for more than 75 years, definitely a local favorite. Parking can be a little tight. 10/10 for some old school local eats. read more

Palace Saimin - Wonton min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Good ole neighborhood Saimin Palace. It's nice to have comfort cooking here. Nothing fancy just affordable simple satisfy your belly food. We have to keep mom and pops going so we can continue to have this diamond in the rough. The parking lot is a about 5 spaces, but there is plenty of parking on the road. You'll see a lot of regulars that have been coming here forever. It's kind of like Zippys, without chili. Will be back again for another bowl :). read more

Palace Saimin - Great prices! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Palace Saimin has been a long-time establishment that served the community their traditional style Saimin and BBQ sticks for years. Their style of saimin is unique. They make their broth very light and yet so flavorful to where its to the customers' choice to add soy sauce for a little more sodium. While other noodle soup businesses make their broth rich and flavorful, I do drink more water because it gets too salty, and I end up not drinking the broth. While Palace Saimin makes it to where you enjoy the broth and noodles leaving satisfy, happy, and getting your money's worth. Service is good. Staff is welcoming and friendly. Clean and well-kept. Payment Cash or credit Parking Private lot or read more

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

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Affordable comfort food. Soothing to my soul... and stomach. Very mom and pop style. It's small so you may have to wait when it's crowded. read more

Palace Saimin was the vision of Kame Ige, who immigrated from Okinawa in 1924. Mrs. Ige named the restaurant "Palace Saimin" after the Palace Theater on Beretania street. The shop was opened in 1946 near the theater and the Palace Saimin experience began. They are now located in Kalihi on N. King St. It's a small hole-in-the-wall with only a few parking spaces out front and several tables inside. Service is fast and friendly. It's not the cleanest place in town, but it's your typical hole-in-the-wall, and don't we all love those? The key to getting a seat at this place is to come during non-peak hours, or you can do what most people do and order take-out. Their menu is as simple as it gets - saimin, wonton min, udon, saidon (saimin & udon combo) and bbq sticks. On my most recent visit, I got the wonton min and a bbq stick. The wonton min was garnished with green onion and char siu. It's one of the best wonton min's you'll likely ever have. I always mix shoyu with hot mustard for my wontons. The bbq stick is flame broiled beef dipped in their oriental bbq sauce. The beef is super tender and the sauce is to die for! There are lots of places to get saimin in Honolulu but if you haven't tried Palace Saimin yet, I highly recommend checking them out! read more

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A place to remember thru out the years when you live abroad. The 3 of us found a parking spot as their lot gets full fast. Penny took our order, as we waited for the noodles to arrive, I noticed the place hadn't changed much. A few T-shirts for sale , still no a/c as it can get hot inside. The fans working hard.The noodles arrive & the homemade pork filled wontons & mein are so delicious with that first chopstick & spoon serving is a memory you never forget! Add the green onions & strips of char sui & Wow! SoSo Ono! James & Lynn are the master's in the small & efficient kitchen. Palace Saimin one of a kind ! read more

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Watching a travel show, I remember a scene at this restaurant where the host dined with two local chefs. Not sure whether it's good that the episode is so vivid in my mind. Driving here on a Tuesday morning and using the map app on my phone, I drove by twice before finding a space a half block east from here. I still couldn't find it and had to ask my local friend to stand in front as my landmark. We walked over before noticing the restaurant, recessed in back of a nondescript parking lot. I would later move my car here when a space opened here. This was one of my most anticipated meals on this trip, having never dined in a devoted saimin place. Seated at the rear table on the left, I had a view of the kitchen, the expediting counter, and and old style wall menu across the room. After a brief discussion, we agreed to order the same items, all three of us. We had the combination saimin (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=MvUnkl9n5GvmvR36m7GIMA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), which only comes in one size, large. As I expected, it was a bowl of comfort with the clean and clear broth, the acclaimed local made Sun noodles, shredded pieces of BBQ pork, and a baby fistful of sliced green onions. The two surprises were the addition of udon noodles (likely Sun made again) and a small saucer of hot mustard. Udon and saimin egg noodles? Yes, please... the contrast made this bowl that much more interesting. Talk about taking it back old school. This brought back food memories from my childhood, in a good way. We also ordered two skewers each of beef sticks (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Ii4tfXNAlKKZYeYjlTADQQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q)., another one of their staples. It was flavorful with a sweet sauce or marinade. Extra sauce is offered on the menu, but we didn't find it necessary. The dining room was about half full, all locals likely eating before going to work or construction workers having an early lunch. Our waitress was efficient and checked on our water cups periodically. As I went to use the restroom, I couldn't help but thank our chef/cook/owner for a wonderful meal. It was a pleasure meeting Ling (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nU8ep7GjndDewYr1UTdXmg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q).and reading about the legacy that she continues here. I'm looking forward to repeating this on my next visit and future visits. read more

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My last visit was in 2016, and due to food quality and service, I never returned. On 6/5/24, as I drove by, I all of a sudden got Ono for Saimin. I decided to stop in, and I'm glad that I did. As we walked in the door, we were greeted with a hello and a "shaka" by the young man waiting tables. We sat, and he immediately came over and helped us. We asked the difference between a small and large bowl, and without hesitation, he went in the kitchen and got the two bowls. This is outstanding customer service. Keep up the good work, young man. Da food - Hooooo was sooo Ono, and just like I remembered from small kid time growing up in Kalihi. Everything was PERFECT with our Saimin with wonton. Broth was spot on. I'll be back, and that's a promise. Mahalo read more

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Best won ton min I had during my last visit! I will definitely go there again the next time I am on the island!!! The restaurant is small and no AC. It's not a fancy place but good food, efficient service. read more

Sometimes, its the hole-in-the-wall homestyle saimin that kust hits the spot! No frills. Just simplicity and fast. Tip: if you are super hungry, order extra noodles with the XL. Its not on the men and I wont post the price. Just take my tip and enjoy! Parking- small parking lot. After hours at night, park across street at Post Office. read more

Palace Saimin - XL w/ extra noodle - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I can't believe I haven't written about Palace Saimin. Saimin shops are getting fewer and fewer and I had a crave of getting old time Saimin and bbq sticks, and Palace Saimin didn't disappoint! The Same old saimin taste and texture the BBQ sticks were tasty and pretty much as I remember them growing up. I actually got the Won Ton Min and the won ton was although on the smaller side complemented the saimin. parking is about adequate for the amount of seating available although when I went the place was about half full so it wasn't too bad. The saimin came out pretty quickly followed by the bbq sticks and the atmosphere was like a quaint old time eating place. I'm sure to be back sometime soon! read more

Palace Saimin - Med Won Ton Min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This unassuming, family-run hole in the wall joint isn't flashy, if you are not paying attention you might drive right past it. But oh boy, does it serve up some great local comfort food that you definitely should try. The atmosphere here is like stepping into a time capsule, with old school benches in front of each side of the tables, walls adorned with menu boards and maneki nekos . Love the texture of the noodles and the subtle flavors of the warm broth. My only complaint is that they don't sell rice because that and just the broth would be perfect for when feeling under the weather. read more

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Everything was done to my specifications. Awesome service and staff were all very friendly and nice. I'd recommend going if you can any to get your Saimin or Udon fix. Will go again. read more

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I don't know what the hype with this place is but the saimin reminded me of the saimin I would have in middle school, there's nothing to write home about. Very overrated. read more

Upon entering this small hole-in-the-wall, the smell of the shrimp (?) base stock filled the air. I had a funny feeling that I might not like the taste, but I kept an open mind. Ordered the wonton min and barbecue stick. Had to wait for a little while before the food came out. The wonton min came out hot and the barbecue stick followed a little after. As I suspected, the broth was (according to my taste buds) shrimp based. It's just not the same as what I'm used to. Of course, this is "Saimin" so the flavor profile wouldn't be the same as ramen. And it being "Saimin", the texture of the noodles is not the same as ramen. I didn't count, but I felt that the quantity of wonton was alight. You can't go wrong with dipping the wonton into the shoyu-mustard sauce. The barbecue stick fell short of my expectations. The meat was ever-so-slightly tough and the barbecue flavor wasn't as strong as I hoped it would be. On the good side, the employees were very nice and upbeat. For their customer service, I give them 5-stars. Unfortunately, because the food fell short, I can't give them the same. It's a one-and-done for me. Parking is also very limited. For the price, though, if you want a simple meal, you might want to check this place out. They are busy, so you may have to wait for a bit. read more

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

You can always get a good sign in there along with their barbecue sticks late night snack. I only wish we had one on the Windward side.

just went there tonite after paddling at mauliola (sand Island) with my friend whose grandpa lived down the lane next to the restaurant and therefore, sheʻd always eat at Palace Saimin in her youth. i love the place, clean, cozy, love the furniture, but most of all the saimin broth is delicious, flavorful and worth checking out. The saimin is cooked perfectly also, with a nice spring to it when you bite down. i would defintely order at least the large, or xlarge bowl if youʻre and adult. read more

Been coming to palace since I was a kid never thought to write a yelp review till now . The broth and noodle texture is always just right. The service from the aunties are always the best, kind of like getting served by your own family members . The simple unchanged clean shop always brings back happy childhood memories of me slurping down Saimin noodles . Please keep on supporting this and all of our other local businesses. read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Classic saimin - large - was just as I remember it. BBQ sticks use excellent quality beef, but they are expensive at $4 per and I suggest a longer marination time so the flavor is infused in the meat and the char isn't the only flavor note. My family ordered won ton mein, large and x-large and I had a try of the wonton. Also highly recommend it. read more

It's very heartwarming that one of the best meals I had on the island was at this local family owned saimin spot that has been in operation for decades. This is a no frills place - they specialize in two things: their delicious, steaming bowls of saimin (duh) and the beef sticks. You won't find anything else (so order both!) I went for their traditional Wonton Min and a side order of beef sticks both of which were SENSATIONAL!!! The noodles are perfectly chewy, the wontons were delectable and had a perfect wrapper to meat ratio, and the broth was just purely delightful. Do NOT make the mistake of missing out on the treasure that is Palace Saimin. Service is so friendly, quick, and the place has a real local vibe to it (I swear it makes the food taste 10x better too!!) One thing I'll mention is parking is insanity! Super small lot but if you're good at navigating parking, it'll be fine. Try to come early! I've since gone back to the mainland but I'll be recommending them to everyone I know and dreaming of the next time I can stop in again. Beyond happy to support this local business read more

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the Saimin in Hawaii with some BBQ Sticks the Soup has the tasteful salt it feels Shige saimin spot and the Aiea saimin shop in the 90's read more

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Love the Saimin here as the broth is very tasty. The prices are consistently affordable for the amount of food you get the smell and taste of that barbecue stick, which compliments the saimin is a must. You can even add extra garnish for a reasonable price. Parking is a bit tight, so try to go on off times as in not during lunch and not during dinner time but before or after. One of the best comfort foods in Hawaii and their service is always friendly and quick. read more

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fantastic...got our saimin fix. large saimin, large won ton min and 2 bbq. Not disappointed, yummy read more

Palace Saimin - getting our fix....large saimin, two bbq, and large won ton min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii