shige's saimin stand

Had been wanting to check out Shige's Saimin Stand for some time now, but didn't have any reason to go out to Wahiawa to do so...until the other day.

My friend Len had business out there and it was the perfect chance to meet up for lunch there.

Len had their small won ton min. He thought it might not be enough, but it was perfect he said.

Since the weather was a scorcher for all things soupy, I had their fried saimin and BBQ beef stick instead.

I liked the sweet-salty flavor, their noodles are apparently homemade which is why they are a bit flatter and thicker than the saimin noodles at most other places and they had a nice chew to them too.

Their beef stick was a bit "gamey" tasting, but I appreciated it being tender enough to slide off with chopsticks.

It was a good chance to catch-up on things. Thanks for lunch Len!

I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in this area.

Shige's Saimin Stand
70 Kukui Street
Wahiawai, Hawaii
Phone: 808.621.3621
Open Monday-Thursday 10:00-22:00, Friday & Saturday 10:00-24:00

sato's okazuya

Do you like fried noodles? I do.

I prefer them dry, not "wet" like some places serve them. In Hawaii, most places use saimin for their fried noodles.

In Japan they are called yakisoba sometimes yakiudon depending on the type of noodles that are used. And there are "dry" & "wet" types of fried noodles here too.

To me, the "wet" types are on the mushy side.

One day, while I was surfing around, I came across a place in Waipahu that is supposed to serve "the best" fried saimin at Sato's Okazuya.

I had never heard of this place before, but wanted to check them out. So after an errand in Waipahu, we picked up the small size to divide amongst my mom, dad and I for lunch...US$4 + tax.

Their small was rather large because when they measure out the serving, they use a paper tray, no weighing, then just heap it on afterwards.

The noodles are dry, chewy, almost al dente, there is a lot of flavor from the spam, char siu and other veggies that are in there too.

While they do have other items on their menu (which we didn't order), I think this one is their star.

Even if you come before the lunch crowd, be prepared to wait, they are constantly making new batches of fried saimin to keep up with the orders.

Do I think they make the best? Maybe and I would definitely go back here to get some when the craving hits me.

Sato's Okazuya
94-235 Hanawai Circle (Y-H building across parking lot of Waipahu Festival Marketplace)
Waipahu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.677.5503

p.s. today is Umi no Hi (Ocean Day) in Japan, a national holiday, unfortunately, I hear there may be a typhoon approaching the Pacific coastlines of Okinawa & Japan, stay safe you guys!

marukai

I think this may be the last Marukai post for my trip...tried their fried saimin the other day....US$2.69.

Good amount of noodles, ham, kamaboko, some egg and veggies...though it was REALLY salty and the green onions were RAW, which left a really onion-y taste in my mouth.

I tried it...it was okay, don't think I would get it again though...If you get a chance to try this, let me know what you think.