Sam Sato's still gives the feels! I haven't been home to Maui in years, and one of the first places I wanted to eat on my list was from my childhood - Sam Sato's! We made sure to pay a visit on our first free lunch day! Of course, coming during the lunch rush we had to wait for maybe 20 minutes outside before getting a table for 4. Longest 20 minutes of my life LOL! Paid off though when we finally got seated! Ordered the usual suspects: -Dry Noodles (Dry Mein) ($18.95) - DOUBLE sized for 2! Or one Hungry Hawaiian HA! -Cheeseburger Deluxe ($5.95) -French Fries with Mustard/Mayo ($5.95) -BBQ Stick (Beef and Chicken) ($3.75 each) -Manju ($1.25 each) -Turnovers ($1.85 each) I was so hungry I forgot pics of half my order! Shared the Dry Noodles with my Mom but honestly I ate 75% of that double order LOL! Just as awesome as I remember - just needed a dash of the soup, splash of shoyu, dab of Tabasco, and a lot of cracked black pepper! Ugh, so ONO! The Cheeseburger Deluxe and French Fries were honestly not gourmet, but the nostalgia factor brings it up a notch for me. Don't forget to dip into their Mustard/Mayo mix, it's a game changer! The BBQ Sticks were a little overdone this time but I'll let it slide because I do love that char on the edges. And you can't leave without having a manju and turnover (or 2....of each LOL) for dessert! Not much has changed at Sam Sato's over the decades (except maybe the prices, they went up!) and that's the way we like it! Old schoo for an old foo like ME! read more

Came here to try out the famous dry mein. Got lucky and were able to be seated immediately as there was a table open, even though the restaurant was packed. Had tons of people waiting for take out as well. Server was super on it and took our order quickly. Got the dry mein, cheeseburger, french fries, and beef stick. Dry mein was delicious. Like friend noodles with some soup on the side. Noodles were flavorful and cooked well and light broth complimented it well. Got to try the cheeseburger as well. So flavorful. Reminded me of in-n-out with the thin patty and the mustard mayo that they gave on the side. The beef sticks were charred super well and had a nice meaty flavor. I ate it so quickly! Got some french fries too and they were hot and crispy! On the way out got some of their manju. Small, but delicious! Will be back again! Parking: Parking in the lot in the front or on the street. read more

Sam Sato's - Dry mein, cheeseburger, beef stick, and french fries - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

Tried Sam Sotos after seeing it all over social and had to check the hype for myself. It's definitely a small, hole-in-the-wall spot that feels very local and low-key, which I actually liked. I ordered the dry noodles with chicken -- flavors were solid and you can tell the ingredients are fresh and good quality. Portion size for the price felt pretty average, nothing that really stood out or made me want to come back. It's good, just not that good. Service was fast, host was attentive. Overall, a decent spot to try once if you're nearby, but honestly you can skip the hype -- not a must-hit. Rating 4/5. read more

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Upon Arriving to Maui we had to check out the Sam Sato's for lunch before it closes at 2 pm. Was recommended by my co- worker who frequently dines there. So we tried the BBQ beef sticks, hamburger steak & BbQ plate which was so delicious! Homemade style just how we like it, also bought a variety of pineapple coconut, apple, blueberry, and azuki beans turnover and manju pastries. It was a 45 min wait to get a sitting, but it was worth it! Next time we gotta try the dry noodles!! Mahalo Sam Sato's. read more

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this restaurant offers traditional Hawaiian comfort dishes such as dry mein (like Saimin but dry noodles), breakfast items like pancakes and loco moco, and diner type foods like burgers and fries. When we arrived around 9am on a Wednesday (new years eve), there were already people eating at the restaurant. They have a takeout counter for takeout orders only but if you want to dine in, make sure your entire party is present, otherwise they won't seat you. Plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Restaurant was very homey and had comfortable seating and booths. We ordered a family style mix of dishes since we came with a local friend and wanted to try all their dishes. I was really excited to try the dry mein, because I love noodles. The noodles were springy and I could definitely tell they were made in house but was a bit disappointed in the flavor of the noodles alone. I enjoyed it more with the dashi broth that they give on the side though. The fried rice and yakitori were also filling. My favorite had to be the banana pancakes. The pancakes were so fluffy, light, and the banana pieces added a sweet kick at the end. The entire meal cost us around $80 for 7 people which is an amazing price point!! I would definitely come back and recommend if you want some comfort Hawaiian food here in Maui. read more

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Amazing local dining destination in Wailuku. Limited spots in the parking lot. We lucked out to be seated at a two top upon arrival (8/29/25). We started with half a papaya served with a juicy lemon wedge. Amazingly fresh! The Homie had a small loco moco and then later ordered a perfectly griddled pancake. I ordered a classic breakfast with two overeasy eggs, steamed rice, Portuguese sausage, and an orange wedge. I also glanced at their well stocked pastry case. Note: breakfast is served only until 11am Lunch menu and specials look equally as tasty. It was so tasty, we returned as our last meal before heading to the Kahului Airport (9/2/25). This time we had a short wait to be seated, just make sure to get your name and number in your party on the clipboard. We feasted on 4 grilled beef skewers and a small order of the dry noodles. No frills ambiance, but clean restrooms, and genuine welcoming staff. Genuine ohana and aloha spirit! Highly recommended! read more

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First impression was that we were in the wrong place. Looked like a local crowd with a sort of divey vibe, BUT as soon as we sat down the waitress was extremely kind and welcoming. We ordered the three things everyone else said to get and were not disappointed: Manju, Banana Hot Cakes, and Dry Noodles. YUM! The dry noodles were a 10/10, hard to describe other than filling, yummy, and savory. The banana hot cakes were a 10 as well, perfect consistency, thickness and sweetness. They were better than the ones I had a Kihei Caffe. The manju was a 7/10 but still enjoyable and a new experience. It tasted like a short crust pastry with a bean filling that was good texture. The menu is what they have. If you see things online saying they have other food items other than what's on the menu (like we did) that is wrong. Great value, wish we had more breakfasts, but we discovered this late in our trip. Definitely going back. read more

Sam Sato's - Dry noodles - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

Had to come try this place based on all the reviews and recommendations. Was not disappointed. The staff is very friendly, hard working and attentive. Service was very fast. We tried the dry mein and the special Saimin soup, both reasonably priced. The dry mein was excellent with an al dente finish on the noodles. The pork was tender and the accompanying soup was good to add to the bowl of noodles as needed. The special Saimin soup had a different broth than the Saimin we've had on Oahu and Kauai. It was more of a miso broth than a shoyu broth and probably would not order it again. Overall, a great experience and will be back in the future to try some other items. read more

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The hamburger steak patty was not our favorite and I didn't like the tuna melt as they mixed what taste like relish in it. The dry mien is great as always and the cheeseburger deluxe is my go to, to pair with the noodles. We ordered two orders of fries and it never came out till we were almost done eating so my kids never had a chance to enjoy it with their cheeseburger. When I went to remind the waitress she said it was about a 30min wait. That's a long wait just for fries. She should have told us this in the beginning as I wouldn't have cancelled the ordered. Service was good but a bit too hot for me to dine in. It was really busy and loud and the wait can be very long. The restaurant isn't that big but it definitely needs an A/C upgrade! read more

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So happy to have a chance to visit Maui and make our first stop at Sam's! We got here 40 min before closing, but fortunately, they were able to accommodate us! We were all looking forward to try their famous Dry Min and shared the Mac Salad, Saimin, Teri Burger & their famous Teri sticks (tastes like Obon) and Azuki & Lima Bean manju. True Aloha hospitality here especially since you can see all the Aunties behind the weathered screen door, making everything from scratch... and their mac salad is DEFINITELY on point!! Hope to visit again soon! read more

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This place has been a family favorite of ours for year... and when I say years I mean YEARS!!!! Over 20 years we've been going and the food never changes. Always consistent and always so good. The dry mein is something that is their specialty and you have to get it. There's something about the dashi that goes with it that just makes the noodles so tasty. Don't be afraid if there's a line, because there will be, they turn tables fast and people are considerate and don't just sit and take up space. I have yet to find a place on Oahu that can even compare to Sam Satos. read more

Sam Sato's - The usual spread - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Sam Sato's is a must if you want a real local Maui experience. The dry noodles are amazing. They instantly reminded me of bakmi in Indonesia, that same simple, savory comfort that hits the spot. Everything is quick, no fuss, and the food tastes like something they've been doing right for a long time. It's popular for a reason, so it's worth the wait. You can tell this is a local favorite, the place is full of locals, and the vibe feels authentic. If you're in Wailuku and want something iconic, go for the dry noodles. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Since it was my first time ever coming to Hawaii, I had to try some Saimin. Sam Sato's specializes in dry Saimin, and, wow, it was delicious!! I wish I got her name, but our server was so, so helpful and kind! She gave us recommendations and how she likes to eat the dry saimin. thanks to her our experience was 1000/10. The noodles dipped in the Chinese mustard mixed with shoyu followed by a sip of broth - chefs kiss!! The noodles alone were great, but the combo with everything made it perfect. The mini loco moco was simple but delicious! And we finished everything off with their with manju which was recommended to us by our server. Both flavors were really yummy. Sam Sato's was such a great experience during my visit to Wailuku! The homey vibes of the restaurant (so many regulars came walking in), the amazing service, and the delicious food. I will remember it all fondly. read more

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I have been a noodle girly since day 1 so Sam Sato's had my name written all over it! This is more of a local spot, so I'm so happy I found it! We came by for a late lunch and had to wait maybe less than 5 minutes for a table. Food came out at lightning speed. The portions are super generous and may or may not put you in a food coma for the rest of the afternoon. Make sure you get the skewers! My mom doesn't look noodles that much so she ordered the beef tomato dish and the beef was really tasty! It was her favorite dish. In addition to really quick service, they create a warm and welcoming environment. Will definitely be back the next time I'm visiting! read more

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Sam Sato's is one of those spots where you walk in as visitors and walk out feeling like part of the neighborhood. My friends and I stopped by and were instantly swept up in the warm, local vibe -- friendly staff, quick service, and an ambiance that feels both classic and comforting. We tried a little bit of everything and honestly enjoyed it all. The cheeseburger deluxe hits that perfect old-school diner nostalgia. The signature dry noodles are a must, and the super dry noodles with vegetables takes it to another level. Don't skip the yakitori -- simple, smoky, and delicious. Beyond the food, what really makes Sam Sato's special is its heritage. From a humble general store in the sugar-cane fields back in 1933 to a beloved Maui institution today, you can taste the generations of care in every dish. It's the kind of spot where recipes and smiles feel like they've been passed down through the family just for you. Whether you're grabbing takeout or sitting in for a quick bite, Sam Sato's serves up flavors that linger long after you've left. "ʻO ka ʻai i loaʻa ke ola" -- food that gives life -- has never felt more true. A must-visit on Maui for anyone who loves great food, great people, and a real local classic. read more

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Haven't been here in a couple of years. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The Combo Plate was not very good. The Char Siu was cut very thin with little flavor. The Spare Ribs were a bit tough and little flavor. The Dry Mein was okay, nothing special. My wife makes better one, using Iwamoto noodles. read more

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Good food at a good price. The dry mein is delicious. I got the broth on the side and it doesn't really have flavor. The cheese burger deluxe was simple and delicious. The bbq stick was juicy and good too. The food was fast to come out. read more

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We went to Sam Sato's with local friends. The line was long during Saturday lunch time and we waited for about 30min. We tried their signature dry noodles, yakitori, and cheese burger with fries. The dry noodle portion was huge and definitely enough to feed two persons or more. I loved the dry middle texture - it was firm and chewy. It was lightly seasoned and topped with Char Siu pork slices and spring onions. We had the dry noodles with their homemade mustard sauce, which made the noodle slightly spicy and added an extra layer of flavor. The yakitori (chicken skewer) had a smoky taste, though the meat was not super tender. The cheese burger was old school but tasty. The restaurant also sold turnovers with fruit fillings such as apple, peach, and coconut. We got some turnovers to go and they tasted great! The outside was super crispy and the filings inside had a generous portion of fruits. I didn't get a chance to snap a picture before they were gone. Overall, this is a great spot for noodles and comfort food! read more

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More like 3.5 stars We went with the recommended classics all the way - dry noodles, beef skewers, and manju. The manju were great. I wish we had ordered more. I liked both the white bean (lima or shiro-an) and black bean (azuki) but the white was a little sweeter and creamier. The star, though, was the pastry crust, flaky, buttery, sweet, and crisp. The beef skewers were also excellent. Beautifully grilled, sweet but not cloyingly so, and served with a biting hot Chinese mustard that is reminiscent of what you used to get in old-school Chinese-American restaurants. Too bad the beef is too intense to make a meal of. Which leads us to... The famous dry mein. It's fair to say that I don't get their popularity. The noodles were clearly fresh but I was picking up an odd possibly alkaline taste. Maybe if the noodles were rinsed first? I'm just not sure. Other than that, I felt that the noodles were kind of blah. There was very little flavoring at all. I had read that the "secret seasoning" might include oyster sauce and soy sauce. In no way could I detect any hint of oyster sauce or much else, for that matter. It absolutely helped to either dip or dress the noodles with the provided cup of "dashi." I put dashi in quotes because it doesn't taste much like any dashi I've had in the past. This broth tasted more like a dilute chicken soup but it did add some needed salt to the noodles. The service was friendly and efficient and the decor reflects a casual, "We're a local institution" vibe. This is one of the few places I've eaten here where the majority of the clientele seemed to be locals, not tourists. My low rating reflects my disappointment with their signature dish. Despite this restaurant showing up on every "Best Of" list, I don't believe the noodles live up to the hype. Other dishes might be better. read more

Sam Sato's - Manju - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Yes, this is us eating saimen at 7:30 am on a Wednesday. Got seated right away but as we were leaving BIG line waiting. Nice little hole in the wall in the business district you would not expect there to be prob about the BEST homemade saimen I've had EVER. Couldn't help but get a shirt on our way out. read more

Sam Sato's - Saimen and a beef and chicken teri stick - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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I was told that this was a place to go to when you're in Maui! I loved the yakitori chicken! The skin was cooked SO GOOD and it was reminded me of when get duck by how it looked. I went with a group and we did family style. We got the super dry saimin that had more toppings then the regular dry saimin and then we got the won ton min and that was good too! I like a lot of noodles and I like veggies and other fixings. Atmosphere - It is busy and it has that classic, local feeling place where people go to hang out and catch up on life. Service - Service was good, fast, and attentive! Cost - $12 - $16 depending on what you get, we did family style so you can try more and less costs. We did have left overs of both the won ton min AND saimin so we could have done one less dish :). Parking - They have their own lot that maybe fits around 8 cars so be aware of that. I don't recall if there is street parking, there might be. Location - It's in this industrial/business ish kind of area. At first, I was like where is this restaurant, in a warehouse? HAHA. They had pastries and manju (which we didn't try but someone did recommend to try it). I would definitely come here again! read more

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Sam Sato's is definitely a staple when visiting Maui. Located in a humble plaza, everyone that works here is so friendly and accommodating. They take care of you like they are your family and the food reflects the level of sincerity. The inside is very rustic and cozy. Enough to sit 5 or 6 families at most. The food is delicious regardless of what you get :) read more

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Was recommended by some locals about this place, definitely didn't disappoint. The dry noodles were fantastic. The wait can be a bit long depending on when you come so be prepared. Inside the restaurant is pretty chaotic, but in a good way. If you're looking for a quiet place to eat I'd take it to go. read more

Sam Sato's - Dry noodles - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

We stopped at Sam Sato's to get takeout for dinner. We ordered dry noodles, chow fun, won ton mein, and chicken yakitori. Unfortunately, we didn't really like any of the dishes except for the chicken yakitori. The chicken yakitori was delicious and far better than everything else. read more

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TL;DR - don't miss out on this awesome fooooood spent most of my childhood and now my summers in maui, this is definitely one of my fav lunch places! - their noodles can't be beat (dry mein on top) & the staff is always SO kind oh my gosh - the portions are also such a bonus, i never leave feeling hungry - i like the family feeling inside the restaurant, not too cramped, but not too formal feeling i highly highly highly recommend. read more

So tasty. Tried some turnovers (pineapple/coconut) and the lima bean manju- delicious. Handmade noodles were good too. The chow fun was great and the double dry was HUGE! Line wasn't too bad. It moved pretty quickly. read more

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It's been a long time since my last visit here at Sam Sato's. The restaurant is very busy so come early. Food is always delicious. Friendly service and atmosphere where you can meet see old friends. My favorite is the Dry Noodles, a Cheeseburger Deluxe and French Fries. read more

Sam Sato's - Menu - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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This is a cute hole in the wall that we visited on a day trip to Maui. The wait for a table was not long, considering there was a lot of people inside eating & lots of people waiting outside for a seat. The staff definitely work together as a team on bussing & resetting tables. We were served by Tiffany & she was awesome. She gave us great recommendations and we were very happy with everything we ate. Their fried noodles, Teri beef sticks & burgers were delish ... we ended up bringing home to Oahu a good amount of their signature manjus. We are definitely going back to Sam Sato's on our next visit to Maui. read more

This hole-in-the-wall restaurant was recommended by a friend. I was sooo impressed by the GREAT service and staff. They were so patient, kind, and had such a welcoming, homey atmosphere. I ordered the dry noodles, which is their signature dish. I ordered an extra large to share and I still had leftovers! The food came very quickly, and the noodles were warm and fresh! It was served with a side of broth to dip the noodles in, it was so refreshing!! I would recommend this to anyone and everyone! A hidden gem with delicious food, great service, and welcoming staff. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Fast, friendly, and delicious! It's no wonder Sam Sato's has been around for like a hundred years now and is frequented by locals and tourists alike. The location is super out of the way and even though the location has been in operation for so long, the decor feels very 90s IMO. I went for the medium size dry noodles with a small side of broth (allegedly the signature dish according to my 2 seconds of google searching). This was enough to share between two people for a decent breakfast/brunch serving size, without getting full but without leaving hungry. Onto the noodles - omg! These were absolutely delicious and hands down my favorite noodle dish in Maui and top 3 of all time, bar none. The texture was amazing and the flavor was slightly salty, definitely greased, and all around yum!! Our server was kind enough to recommend a BBQ beef skewer to go with the meal which was an awesome pairing. When I go back to Maui, I will definitely be returning to Sam Sato's. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Dry noodles double. Pork was so soft and tender. Horseradish mustard was a nice touch on the side. Came with medium bowl of broth. Broth was so delicious and light we ordered another medium bowl. Manju lime- didn't like it as much. Similar texture and dryness to moon cakes read more

Whenever I'm traveling to the islands I seek out thr comfort food I remember when growing up. Saimin is one of those foods. I did not realize that good saimin was so hard to find on Maui. Sam Sato did not disappoint. First, you know if it had no signage and tucked back in a commercial building it was to be good to survive. Set up is like the small family saimin shops my dad took me too when I was small. Service was excellent, locals friendly and the tables were clean. They serve more than saimin, having a full muni's of comfort food. I would have returned to try again, but this was breakfast before leaving for the mainland again. The saimin was good portioned, egg noodles the right kind of chewie. This ain't instant ramen people! Soup broth, pork belly and hot mustard all on point. I will definitely return to try more items when I'm back on Maui. I don't know why, but saimin always tastes better on the islands. Mahalo Nui Loa Sam Sato! A Hui Ho. read more

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Still great. I finally took my little one to dine in together and she loved it. We shared a dry mein, teriyaki sticks and had a side of mac salad. The employees are always so friendly. Support local and check them out. read more

Sam Sato's - Heads up!! - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

One of my favorite spots to visit in Maui for breakfast. Unbeatable pancakes to me. Better than iHop lol. Service is always quick & pleasant. read more

Sam Sato's - Portugese sausage eggs and rice - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Been waiting for years since my last Maui trip to visit here. They seem to always be consistently busy with lots of locals frequenting here. If you're a carb fiend, this is the place for you. The dry mein noodles don't pack too much flavor itself, but adding soy sauce always helps. The soup broth side is light and just savory enough to keep you wanting more. The yakitori chicken unexpectedly reminded me of a Chinese style bbq chicken. Hard pass on the chow fun noodles; incredibly bland and no wok seared flavor. Overall prices were affordable which makes it worthwhile for a visit or takeout. read more

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A friend flew in from Maui and gave me this box of Manju from San Sato's it is a well known item from Maui! People traveling from Maui or People that visit Maui always make a stop to get some Sam Sato's Manju. Onside it is filled with white Lima bean paste not too sweet with a baked crust. Other items are Homemaid Bakery, Tasaka Guri Guri only thing you cannot put it in your carry on it has to be checked in as luggage. So if you ever visiting Maui some ideas what to pick up or try. read more

Sam Sato's - Sam Sato's take out box - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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A local guide recommended Sam Sato's for some homestyle cooking, so we made sure to stop by. This place was BUSY even 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday, but we ordered for takeout smoothly. First, we had the beef stick, which was nice and flavorful. A good snack to eat in the car. Nice kbbq type flavor. We got a large dry mein, given that it is the signature dish here. Unfortunately, the mein slightly missed the mark for us. It is, as the name implies, very dry but also not too flavorful. The noodles are chewy/doughy and honestly just tastes like dough when you have a mouthful. Adding the broth on the side helped the flavor somewhat, mostly by adding salt, but we were still unsure why this dish is so popular when it just seems like underseasoned chow mein. We both remarked that it would've been better with some sort of hot sauce, but alas, we got takeout so were unable to add any chili water. This is a fine side, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat this when there are so many other great noodle options in Maui. The large is a very generous portion. We wanted to try loco moco, but it is only available on the breakfast menu, so we got a hamburger plate. This consisted of two burger patties covered in gravy, white rice, and Mac salad. Solid, savory meal. We enjoyed this more than the dry mein. Overall, Sam Sato's offers some cozy, homestyle, no-frills comfort foods. However, I think there are better options in the area. read more

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A local gem. Feels like being transported back into time when you walk in. Best dry noodles in the area! Lovely service but this place gets busy and expect to put your name down and wait especially on weekend! read more

You can tell this place is an institution. A true community hub. There is so much love to and from their regulars. When we went on a Saturday afternoon, it was crazy busy. We put our name down on the waiting list and sat outside for about half an hour. There was a good mix of locals and tourists when we went, but it felt like they really treat everyone like family. The servers were working their butts off making sure everyone had everything they needed and were having a good meal. The restaurant itself is not fancy. Like most of the island not taken over by big corporations and resorts, it has a really old school homey feel. Things definitely look worn by time but that's a vibe in itself. If you're looking for a light, delicate meal, this is not the place for you. This rearaunt serves food that your grandpa will make you after you got home from elementary school. The portions are huge, the food is no frills. Small dry noodles come tossed in soy sauce and topped with cha siu and a generous handful of roughly chopped spring onions and a small bowl of broth on the side. Say yes to the spicy mustard. The hamburger steak is two beef burgers topped with gravy and two scoops rice. The mac salad is excellent. Make sure you get the BBQ beef stick, that one is a winner, and I would come back just for that, but I would skip the chicken one. read more

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Everything you want out of a mom & pop noodle shop! Everyone is so friendly, the food is delicious and comes out quick, and prices are more than fair. The perfect local stop for breakfast or lunch. Place does get busy quick so come early if you're not in the mood to wait. read more

Sam Sato's - large dry noodles - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii