Our kids really loved the oxtail saimin which included wontons. The oxtail was cooked perfectly and was full of flavor. The soup was warm and comforting, reminding my kids of other Chinese noodle dishes. The crispy shoyu chicken was also another favorite of my oldest. I mean, how could you not love it. Crispy fried soy sauced marinated chicken with a bit of sweetness, yum. My youngest preferred the chicken katsu which was also solid. The banana cream pie was also solid and not overly sweet. The hostess recommended their fried rice and Korea Moco for next time. She noted that they make their own kimchi. read more

Local cuisine with affordable pricing. When we arrived it wasn't too busy. I've been there when it's busy and service was questionable but this time we were taken to our table quickly. Restaurant was clean and ambiance was friendly. Tanaka Special pick 2 entrees and 2 sides. I had crispy shoyu chicken and shrimp tempura with a side order of rice and tossed salad. read more

Getting together with Donna O. for lunch, she took us to Tanaka Saimin. A well-known local spot for comfort food. I'd never actually visited, after all the years I've lived on the island, so I was looking forward to it. We arrived on a weekend afternoon. It was busy, with lots of families or bigger friend groups coming. The ambiance is super casual, not much decor, more just a diner for people to eat and gather. It's bigger than I expected, quite a long restaurant with booths and tables. Service by staff is friendly, and food comes out efficiently. I haven't had saimin in years, so I got the Wun Tun Min. My dish was good, tasted like any saimin. Decent amount of toppings and plenty of noodles. For a size small, I was surprised by how big and, of course, filling. The broth is a bit salty, but what saimin broth isn't. My Dad enjoyed his food. I took a couple of bites and enjoyed the fried noodles. Tanaka Saimin is a watering hole locals come to for a meal. They have a nice variety of items from soups to plate lunches. Prices are reasonable, and there's a decent amount of parking at the Nimitz Center. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka Mix Plate - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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In honor of Asian Pacific Islander History Month we ate here at Tanaka Saimin. Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz Highway is locally owned by Joan and Paul Watanabe. They opened the restaurant in 2010, which originated from the historic Boulevard Saimin founded by Joan's grandfather, Kazuo Tanaka, in 1956. Family style dining here. Great value and large portions served here. Kapuna (Senior) and Keiki (children) meals available for under $10! Service is with a smile and you are treated well here. Do not forget to try the homemade desserts! Support this API and local business here! Bathrooms are available in the restaurant. Notes: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, is celebrated in the United States throughout the month of May. It is an annual commemoration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of people with roots in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Significance of May: The month was chosen to coincide with two key historical milestones: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was built by a workforce largely composed of Chinese immigrants. Scope of Coverage: The celebration encompasses a vast, diverse population, including individuals with origins from the entire Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Origin and History: It began as a week-long celebration in 1978, signed by President Jimmy Carter. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a proclamation expanding it to a month, and it was permanently designated as a monthly observance in 1992. Thank you Wikipedia, AAPI and Google. read more

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We went to have dinner there on Friday, I haven't been there in a while. The Friday special was Hawaiian plate which they said they made everything on their own, so I decided to give it a try. The Lau Lau was not too good and not tasty and the filling was more fat and little meat wrapped in taro leaf in the shape of a cigar. The Lomi salmon was good with good size chunks of salted salmon and diced tomatoes and onions and a little green onion. The chicken long rice lack flavor and the noodles were on the hard side like not fully cooked. The kalua pork was okay, but lack the flavor and smoke taste. The Haupia was good and tasty and the onion was fresh. The chili pepper water was good and tasty and helped with the Lau Lau. Restroom was clean and they have separate men & women restrooms. Entrance to get in you need to enter from Best Buy & Costco's you cannot enter from Nimitz Hwy. read more

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Super yummy, comfort style food. I ordered the fried saimin with crispy shoyu chicken and it was absolutely delicious! Perfect breading and bit of sauce within the chicken itself that drained out perfectly to create a bit of shoyu for the noodles as well. The banana cream pie was pretty good not my absolute favorite and not sure if I'd get it again or not. It seemed to have almost a shortbread dense cake kind of bottom to it with a layer of real cut bananas, banana pudding and whipped cream. Boyfriend LOVED it! Overall 10/10 they accommodated our very large group at a later hour and had solid comfort food! I keep craving the shoyu chicken lol read more

Tanaka Saimin - Banana cream pie - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I dont come here often, but when I do, its always a great experience. The food is ono and the service is always personable and inviting. I love when we get Ana. Shes definitely the best! Always a welcoming smiling face that greets us and any customers shes serving. She's just one of those that remembers your order by memory and brings the food out quick with all the necessary condiments needed. She engaging and always a pleasant interaction. Although the restaurant can be busy at times, the wait isnt too long. I love the local vibes you get once you step into the restaurant, that you're bound to run into someone you know. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It was our 1st visit and was ok - Service is fast - got seated at 4 pm on a weekday- had drinks & water immediately and had to ask for more time to review the menu. I'm sure most people know their menu and can get their order in within minutes of being seated! Saimin w/ one ton - noodles and soup good - one tons are huge and filling! The one ton wasn't a favorite but it was filling for sure. Hamburger- good it comes with all the trimmings - lettuce onions tomatoes and pickles- cheese is extra $1.99 Teri beef - lots of flavor Mac salad good Shrimp tempura - ok more breading than shrimp Overall a ok dinner most- likely won't return since the many other options in the area for saimin read more

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Great restaurant where you find a lot of locals eating in. This place is almost always busy but friendly and fast service. Great comfort food. Must try: 1. Oxtail soup (9/10) 2. Mushroom burger with Swiss cheese (10/10) 3. Tanaka saimin (9/10) 4. Beef stew (9/10) 5. Mixed plate (8/10) 6. Lilikoi chiffon (9/10) Enjoy! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We decided to try something new today. Fried Chicken and waffles and Kids Hamburger Steak. The fried chicken are small pieces, prob the same as their crispy shoyu chicken with four fat mini waffles with powdered sugar sprinkled all over. The chicken is super crispy with a great crunch, albeit a few pieces maybe over cooked a bit as they were dry inside. The waffles were fluffy and great dipped in the syrup. The hamburger steak was a big and fat patty. We asked for gravy all over and son son loved it. Some of our other favorites are the Fried rice omelet with pork adobo, oyakodon, and our almost always usual the crispy spicy shoyu chicken. The servers are always polite and friendly, sort of reminds me of aunties. We'll definitely be back for more meals here. read more

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This restaurant has been here for a very long time serving local Japanese and Hawaiian food. It's a big restaurant and must try! Good portions and good quality of food. I had the oxtail ramen and wuntun. Soup was flavorful and wuntun was chunky. My partner also enjoyed his koreamoco plate. Good food for good price. I'll be back to try out other menu items. There are so many options! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Oxtail saimin with wuntun $26 - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Service is excellent with our exceptional (Hawaiian) waitress. She was very attentive. My teapot was not empty of hot water. Weather has been chilly and cold! The saimin broth was tasty and comforting with five huge wontons, two fish cakes, nori, and big handful of noodles. It helped warm me along with the green tea. The vegetable tempura went great with Chinese mustard and shoyu. I was in heaven!!! The atmosphere was bustling with business with family and friends enjoying their meals in their own deep conversations...good company and food, great combination! Ciao!!!! read more

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I was out here helping my parents and I wanted to go somewhere for dinner that was low key, since I was eating alone, which I like. I decided on Tanaka's because the parking is easy. The hostess was friendly and gave me a booth in the front. My server was great too! He said they had the best custard pie so of course I did that for dessert. I came here three times. I had to have the sizzling steak because it smelled so good when it came out to another table. Poured shoyu and worsteshire on it while it was sizzling. The second time, I had the Tanaka saimin. Came with a fried shrimp, teriyaki beef, and potato mac...sooo ONOOOO! On my third night, I had the combo teribeef and shrimp with fried noodles. I also had a side of potato mac, which my server forgot. I don't think she liked her job that evening...LOL! Someone else also refilled my drink. Oh, I also got the custard pie, which has a mac nut crust. Sooooo good! I had to have the fresh cherry, the owner pits the cherries himself, pie! Delicious! I also had the banana cream too! But if he's made the peanut butter chocolate pie, GET IT! It is sooooooo ONOOO! I love coming here. Lots of friendly locals, no frills, just good homestyle cooking! Mahalo Tanaka! read more

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Nostalgia. That is what I would use to describe Tanaka Saimin. Granted I grew up eating at Dillingham Saimin (formerly called Boulevard Saimin as I remember it) every Sunday with my dad and brother. And although Dillingham has been closed for a while now, Tanaka more than keeps those nostalgic flavors alive today! We've been here a handful time since our move back to the island and it's always a pleasant experience. Service has always been great even on busy nights. The dining space is pretty spacious having a lot of tables. Chatter fills the restaurant but it isn't loud in the slightest. When it comes to their food; we are never disappointed. I won't describe any particular visit, but more so what we've ordered so far! My wife usually likes to order the Korea Moco and for good reason. Their kalbi short ribs are tender and packed with flavor and dipping it in that shoyu sesame dipping sauce elevates it. The fried mandoo also adds a nice crunchy texture to complete the plate. If you're indecisive like me, then the Tanaka Mixed Plate is always a great option. I always enjoy their hamburger steak because their brown gravy brings that nostalgic factor. Their shrimp tempura also tastes just as how I remember it. It is slightly batter heavy but to be honest, that's how I like theirs. Lastly their saimin is their staple and the light yet flavorful broth brings comfort for all Saimin lovers. It's no surprise that Tanka Saimin is always packed. Their service is great from what we experienced so far and their food never disappoints. Whenever we have visitors from the mainland, we usually take them here and they also enjoy the food. So if you're craving some great local comfort food, make your next stop Tanaka Saimin read more

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Walked into Tanaka Saimin on a whim on a busy Friday night and was immediately impressed. Even though they were packed, we were offered counter seating right away as soon as we stepped inside. The service is what truly stands out. Management and every single server were incredibly attentive. The vibe felt homey and comforting -- almost like eating at a family gathering. Servers were calling regulars by name and chatting about personal updates at different tables, and it felt genuine, not forced. You can tell they've built real relationships with their customers. Food came out extremely fast, hot, and delicious with generous portions. Alina, our server, was especially kind and sweet, offering thoughtful recommendations and checking in consistently. We'll definitely be back -- especially to try the dessert they kept encouraging us not to miss. read more

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My go to place when family is undecided and hangry! We went Sunday and hubby ordered Prime Rib-omg it was huge and cooked to perfection! Dad had the butterfish and I always get my katsu But I really came to share the fried ice cream with my niece -very disappoints!! Ramen was also on point ! read more

Since Tanaka Saimin moved to the Nimitz location, they serve more dishes than just Saimin, burgers, mushroom tempura and beef sticks. I like it that they offer a variety of dishes to please the palate of many diners. It's a family restaurant with a lot of tables! We usually come after work on a Friday and place can get pretty packed with customers shortly afterwards. I love the crispy shoyu chicken! It's deep fried dipped in shoyu based with a more chili than sweet chili sauce. I like it and the chicken reminds of the dipped chicken I've once made decades ago. Little different from garlic or Korean chicken. They have a variety of sides that you can choose from such as rice, mashed potatoes, fried noodles, & toss greens. I usually take mashed potatoes and fried saimin. Some may like Korea Moco (like a local moco but with Kalbi ribs on Kim chee rice and crispy wun ton) or Hearty Man (Pork chops, crispy shoyu chicken, spam and rice) . Some friends like the oxtail soup which I also liked. Mondays, their baked stuffed chicken was different and yummy. It was stuffed with shiitake mushrooms, spinach, Mac nuts and topped with mushroom gravy. I rarely come on a Tuesdays, but they give Senior discount! Weekends have brunch specials and even Japanese breakfast! Lately we have been having their Friday Hawaiian plate special! It's really good. All housemade except the poi and lomi salmon. I'm not a Hawaiian food lover, but I do love their Hawaiian plate! Their Lau Lau wasn't dry. It's tasty and they use beef short ribs in their Lau Lau. The Haupia was so creamy and delicious. It also comes with pickled onions, chicken long rice, Kalua pig, lomi salmon, poi or rice. It's even better to add the beef stew for few more dollars. It's one of the better beef stew! It tasted like the stew mom used to make. It's not too tomato based stew. Meat was tender. I really like their affordable desserts too! They have those dessert squares with cookie crust! Homemade pies! Not many places make them anymore! If you come on a Saturdays, they have Dinosaur bone (ham shank with cabbage) special! That's one I would get if I dine in on Saturdays! I did tried their prime rib and sizzling steak platter! They have more variety than Zippy's and I'm sure you can find something to eat. Of course some dishes are okay but they are some dishes I come here for. Nice casual place! Not many Family type restaurants around and you receive great service from waiters and waitresses! They are all nice and personable! Tanaka Saimin have more than Saimin! read more

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Everything is great. It is a popular place. You need to go early,10:20 to avoid waiting in line. The oxtail soup is the best I ever had, chicken papaya soup is excellent. Prices are lower in comparison to other places. Our server, Patricia, is a gem. The banana chocolate pie was so good we took some home and gave one to a friend. We enjoy ourselves when we eat here. Try it! read more

I was here last in 2012, 14 years ago. I ordered a plate lunch which I didn't like. Of course a friend said it's called Tanaka Saimin. Anyways, I went last week and totally enjoyed my Tanaka Saimin! The broth was delicious and had the taste of my childhood, deep in Unami! For reals. Wow my new go to place for Saimin. To hurry things up since there was a line, I asked to be seated at the counter. We were sat immediately. Anyways I'd like to also try the plate lunches again, and a couple next to use ordered breakfast and it looked good! read more

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Basic ramen and meat restaurant. Good for a simple lunch if you want over-sauced meats or bland noodles and vegetables. They definitely have a busy lunch service that seemed to attract mostly local seniors. Perfect for that kind of pallet. A bit loud but no more than any busy diner. Waitress was friendly and accomodating to our 5 credit card bill. Kept my coffee and water full. What else could I need? read more

Tanaka Saimin - Welcome display - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a local favorite. Friday's start the PRIME RIB special and they run out before the night is through often. I got there at 7pm and they had some left. I got the king cut. It was smaller than visits prior and a big cut of fat was left on the king cut that couldn't be eaten but fat is part of the deal when eating prime rib. The flavor was still delicious. My wife selected the miso butterfish and was very happy she did. Service is always with a smile and Crystal is a peach. She's always smiling and makes you feel welcomed. My wife and I appreciate the ambiance as it's a reminder of days gone by. It's not outdated, it's diner style or like FLAMINGO's which is timeless in a way. read more

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We ordered takeout - Tanaka Plate with crispy shoyu chicken, Teri beef and double fried saimin for the sides. Extra side of friend shrimp and potato salad. We found a rubber band in the fried noodles while we were eating. ‍ read more

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Update from the previous visit. The owner apologized for the inconvenience of the issue about reserving the special of the day. At the same time he also mentioned that there are people who reserve the specials and don't come to dine in or pick up. This goes to show how people can ruin it for others. We came for dinner today - and we're able to get the oxtail stew. I particularly like Tuesdays (oxtail stew) and Wednesday (braised short ribs) specials. The staff here are amazing and it feels very friendly and Ohana like. We do dine in often. Casual home style atmosphere- with amazing service.... Glad that we have this restaurant to frequent often read more

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Been coming here for years and still find their food comforting. One standout is the number of locals dining here. It's a popular spot, so be sure to sign in upon arrival. If you enjoy saimin, they offer a wide variety to choose from. And if you're looking for something different, they've got you covered with plenty of other food options. Enjoy! read more

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We love coming here. They are open until 10pm and the prices are reasonable with lots of choices, not just saimin. Although on a rainy day, their saimin really hits the spot! The servers are always fun and friendly. The ambiance is more of a local diner with great local food options. My favorite is the miso butterfish. They also serve a short ribs loco moco with regular or fried rice. Their desserts are Ono with one of our favorites being the lilikoi dessert. We will be back since this is one of our family's late dinner places to eat. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Miso Butterfish - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Had to go Costco, so we came here for lunch first. Been many time before and always good. Very homey local feel. Always want the Dino Bone, but never got it. Still didn't get it. Hubs got the Oxtail Saimin. Good flavor, soft meat, good serving size. I got the Ahi Belly. Don't know why I was surprised it was good. Cooked perfectly 3 nice pieces. Shared 1.5 with baby and hubs. Took the rest home for 2 more meals for myself. Got it with tossed and noods. They always use iceberg which I'm not a huge fan of, but it's good enough. Baby helped eat the harder pieces. I like the green. Noods was okay. Baby ate the kamaboko. Noodles broken/cut into short pieces so that was weird, but tasted okay so good enough. Took most home. I was so full for some reason. Service is good but little inefficient. Best part is they are always soooo happy and nice. read more

It's been years since we last ate here, so we decided to try it out again with our boys. My husband and I were also craving a sizzling steak and since Like Like closed down, we've been on the hunt to find a place that serves one. We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and it was quite busy. We had to circle the parking lot a few times before finally landing a spot! When we walked into Tanaka Saimin, there was a sign in sheet with lots of people waiting. There was also a row of chairs for people to sit down as they waited. We waited patiently and in about 15 minutes, a table was ready for us. Our server was very friendly and accommodating to our family. We ordered a small saimin, keiki spaghetti, sizzling steak with onions and mushrooms, and the teriyaki steak. Everything was pretty good and reminded me of good 'ol local style home cooking. The spaghetti was on the sweeter side to me, but my son enjoyed it. The steak was good and definitely hit the spot. I ordered mashed potatoes as my side, and our server brought out a side of gravy for me. Overall, we had a great experience and would come back again. Very kid and family friendly, which is probably why it was so busy! Happy Eating! read more

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Something nostalgic about this place. Reminds me of old Hawaii diner. Delicious food, no matter what you order. Excellent service! If you're looking to step back in time, come here! Don't forget to order the saimin/ burger combo. As for me, my go-to is the Teri chicken. read more

Tanaka Saimin can be a hit or a miss, sometimes it's great sometimes not so great. I can tell you the beef stew is fantastic as well as the Chopped steak. Both have that old time Hawaiian style flavors. The Terri beef not so much as well as the shrimp tempura. The Terri beef can be dry and chewy and slathered in Teriyaki sauce, and the Shrimp Tempura has way too much batter on it, and a tiny piece of shrimp. Service can be lacking if you go at peek times. But most of the staff are nice. The wait can be long on average around 25-30 minutes if you get there at 5pm If you're not in a rush, then give it a try. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Mix Plate - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I came here for breakfast and it was very satisfying. Good food, good service, and good value! I had the fried rice omelet with pork adobo. Three egg omelet stuffed with their ono fried rice. Nice portion of pork adobo with sauce all over. Delicious! My wife had the Tanaka's special omelet with garlic potatoes. Both dishes cost less tha $18. This is comfort food at its best. Also, portions are large enough that you'll probably have leftovers. Atmosphere is like your typical coffee shop; very comfortable, nothing fancy but nice enough to have a really enjoyable breakfast! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Fried rice omelet with pork adobo and Tanaka's omelet with garlic fried potatoes. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka saimin was awesome, I forgot how saimin really taste like! Living in the mainland we can't find anything like this!! Also the wonton is huge, just as big as the saimin spoon. This was my 1st time eating here. Great food!! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

No gravy on this plate but I will definitely get again this filling Korea moco (1 piece kalbi, kim chee fried rice with 2 eggs and won tons). We also got the oyaku donburi and a fried noodles with a side of teri beef to take home. The teri beef is always so easy to bite through here, just wish it was marinated longer to add more flavor. Parking is a issue on the weekends. I suggest the corner next to Lowe's. read more

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The only reason for 2 stars is because of this big bone hamhock i always come on Saturdays for this ..Today I came for that but decided to have the saimin n burger spesho and order the hamhock for take out for dinner..Well if you look at the photo ITS BURNT! and looks really dry.thats why the 2 stars would've been 1 star ..next time I order take out im gonna check my order first..I would've asked for another one if I seen this..Please do better next time cooks read more

Tanaka Saimin - Big Bone HamHock - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was in town visiting so decided to take the family for dinner at Tanaka Saimin. Food is good. Nothing super fancy. A great family place. Service is awesome. They are really friendly and sweet. Would I go again? Yes, absolutely. I just need to keep trying different things to find my favorite. I had the Tanaka Special with was a large won ton mien, teri beef, shrimp tempura and some potato mac salad. Also we ordered their chicken katsu and mushroom burger. The chicken katsu needed some flavor, my nephew liked hisvmushroom burger. read more

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IYKYK!! Staff super friendly, restaurant clean and lots of seating, and food so good! The menu is pretty big but you can order pretty much however you like. And it comes out really fast too which is a big plus if you're hungry! Gotta get the loco moco, fried rice, and don't forget the saimin! read more

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When Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz first opened years ago, I'll be honest--it wasn't a favorite of mine. But tastes change, and after a recent visit, I'm happy to say this place has grown on me. This time around, I discovered their fried noodles, which I actually prefer over the traditional soup saimin. The noodles are savory and satisfying, and when paired with their teriyaki chicken, it becomes the perfect combo. The chicken is flavorful and balances the dish nicely. While it may not have won me over at the very beginning, Tanaka Saimin has definitely earned a spot back on my list. read more

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Stopped by the other evening to give Tanaka a try. I called in my order and it was packed up and ready when I arrived. The young lady that assisted me at the counter was super sweet. We got Tuna Cheese Melts with Miso Soup, a cup of Corn Chowder Soup and a scoop of their Macaroni Potato Salad. We thought the sandwiches were delicious but would've loved a more crisp exterior. It came with a choice of Miso Soup, Fries, Mac Salad or Toss Green Salad. The Miso Soup was full of tofu and had a good flavor. The Corn Chowder was full of Potatoes and Corn and was delicious as well. Their Macaroni Potato Salad had a great flavor and went well with the sandwiches. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area. If I get the opportunity to return I plan to try the Won Ton Min... that looked good! read more

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My three friends and I stopped by Tanaka Saimin, on Friday, 7/25/25 at 10:15a for a bite to eat. We were greeted promptly and given our water and menus as we sat down. We placed our orders. My friend and I ordered the Tanaka Saimin with BBQ Pork, Shrimp Tempura, and Potato-Macaroni Salad. My other friend ordered the Senior Special that was composed of Hamburger Steak with gravy, Mac salad, and rice. She also selected a small Saimin. My other friend chose the Oyako Donburi plate. My friend and I each enjoyed our Tanaka Saimin. It was very savory and the noodles were nice and chewy. The bits of Char Sui and Kamaboko enhanced the flavor, as well. We had an abundance of wun tun. The sides of Teriyaki were flavorful with a deep rich sweet taste. The shrimp tempura was hot and crispy and the tartar sauce was creamy, and intensified the taste of the shrimp with its rich and tangy flavor. The macaroni and potato salad were cool, creamy, and had a great texture. My friend enjoyed her hamburger patty and her seasoned gravy that accompanied it. She loved eating it with her Mac salad and rice. She also enjoyed the broth and noodles of her tasty Saimin. My other friend had positive comments about her savory and sweet Oyako Donburi with chicken that she had along with her Miso Soup. Our waitress that helped us today was excellent. She was very friendly and always checking up on us. She gave us the opportunity for the 4 of us to have separate checks at the end of our meals. We also had a lot of leftovers and were all given containers to take home our food. We all enjoyed our experience, service, and our meals at Tanaka Saimin. We will definitely come back and try the many other options that they have on their menu. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Oyako Donburi - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Parking: 90 minute parking stalls. Lots of parking. Service: Seated immediately, arrived at the restaurant around 5:30pm. I've come in the past around 7 and had to wait a while. The waitress was quick to take our order. Food was quick to come out. Booth seating which I liked. Food: The food is always good. This time I got the braised short ribs. I surprisingly liked it. Tasted like pot roast. Don't pass on the custard pie! Just get it! It's good. read more

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For those of us who are baby boomers, Tanaka Saimin has its roots from the old Boulevard Saimin on Dillingham Blvd which opened in 1956 by Kazuo Tanaka, and then was taken over by two of his daughters. In 2010, there was a family split between the two sisters: the sister who kept the original Boulevard Saimin renamed it Dillingham Saimin and closed in 2020 due to financial stress of the pandemic. The other sister, Joan Watanabe and husband Paul, opened a new separate restaurant in 2010 named after Joan's grandfather, Kazuo Tanaka, who founded Boulevard Saimin. The new restaurant is called Tanaka Saimin (not to be confused with Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya at various) and is located in the old Weyerhauser Building at the corner of Alakawa St and Nimitz Hwy (next to Loew's) that was being redeveloped by Bale. Tanaka's Saimin menu offerings focus on local comfort food and are extensive: * Breakfast served until noon: hot cakes, waffles, French toast, meat/fish & eggs, omelets, Japanese breakfast, weekend special. * Noodles: Tanaka Saimin with sides, fried saimin, udon, won ton mein, teri beef saimin, oyako saimin, oxtail saimin, oyako donburi. * Plates: mix plate combos, beef, seafood, chicken, pork, butterfish, spaghetti. * Sandwiches: burgers, burger & saimin combo, sandwich combo. * Sides: bbq beef stick, fries, mac potato salad, tossed green salad, yakitori chicken, crispy pork won ton, shrimp/veggie tempura. * Soup & salad: Chinese chicken salad, cold saimin, soup of the day, miso, oxtail, chicken papaya. * Desserts: homemade pies (lilikoi chiffon/banana cream), tempura ice cream, ice cream. There are also weekend, daily, and weekend breakfast specials; and prime rib on weekends. There is 10% off discount for senior citizens 65+ on Tuesdays. Some of our favorites include: * Tanaka Saimin. This is a large won ton mein, with sides of teri beef, shrimp tempura, and choice of potato mac or tossed green salad. Served piping hot, the won ton mein is very filling with toppings of kamaboko, choy sum, green onions, a nori sheet, and char siu; the broth has a nice shrimp flavor that has a satisfying umami taste. The side shrimp delicious tempura is old local style with a puffy batter instead of panko and is served with tartar sauce. * Tanaka mix plate. Two-item combo of various choices. We like the crispy shoyu chicken, yakitori chicken, and teri beef. It comes with two choices of rice, mashed potatoes, fried saimin, potato mac or tossed green salad. The crispy shoyu chicken is deliciously savory with a crispy, caramelized exterior with hints of ginger and garlic teriyaki sauce, which is similar to the yakitori chicken and teri beef. * Sizzling rib steak with mushrooms & onions. It comes with two choices of the same sides as the Tanaka mix plate. Served on a sizzling cast iron platter, the steak is tender, flavorful, and juicy * Banana cream and lilikoi chiffon pie. The delicious banana cream pie has a creamy custard with fresh sliced bananas and a crunchy crust and topped with whipped cream. Also delicious, the lilikoi pie is light and fluffy with a nice balance of sweet and tangy passion fruit citrus flavor with a crumbly crust and topped with whipped cream. Customer service by a somewhat large staff is efficient, friendly, and welcoming, as staff appear to be long-time workers. It does get busy during peak dining hours, so there might be a short wait for your orders, but know that staff are working as quickly as they can. Note that many diners are senior citizens with those using canes and wheelchairs. It is interesting to note that when Tanaka Saimin first opened in 2010, there was much criticism about the quality of the food that resulted in low Yelp ratings that are reflected in its current ratings. After a couple of years, either the cooks were trained properly or new experienced cooks were hired, and the quality of food began improving, with new menu items being added. Today, the restaurant is popular with locals as ever, as every table and booth are taken during peak dining hours, with people waiting for available tables. And the food is delicious and flavorful, as we relate to the comfort food that we grew up with. Outstanding! The dining room is large, spacious, and dated with tables and vinyl booth seating that can accommodate large groups. There is also a counter for those who don't want to wait for a table or booth. The dining area is bright with drop ceiling lights, and the wall décor has framed photos of old-time Boulevard Saimin and of old Hawaii. Hours of operation are Sun to Thurs 7a to 9p and Fri/Sat 7a to 10a. Free parking is available in the parking lot that is shared among businesses in the complex. Tanaka Saimin is on our list of rotating restaurants that we love to return again and again, with so many menu choices, friendly customer services, good local food, and reasonable prices! Support local! read more

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