Hamura Saimin

My honest opinion? I regretted I didn't have more time to go to this place for the second time or third time! If you're in Kauai and you love noodles in broth, this is a must-try place, that is frequently visited by the locals. Hamura Saimin has a long history of serving noodles since 1952! The noodles were good and prices were affordable. The chicken teriyaki is highly recommended. I also learned from a local (sitting across me) of mixing the soy sauce with mustard (similar like wasabi in soy sauce) as the dipping sauce. Yum!

Google maps gave great directions to find this spot. We flew in from HNL and got in around 2030 hours so was looking for a quick spot to eat. Found this place was open until 2130 hours so quickly headed to it from the airport which was a 5min. drive. Parked in the slanted stalls outside of the restaurant and walked in using their ADA ramp leading towards the front near the register. When you walk through their screen door, right away I get mom and pop shop kine feels. Super laid back, local, NO a/c so when we came in at night, i'm assuming that was cool for what it usually can be. It's open air jealousy windows. You don't have to check in at front, you just find an open spot on their counters where small brown stools are provided for you to sit on. The counters have all the amenities needed for this saimin shop. Once you take a seat, a server will come over and give you menus to start looking. They offer fountain drinks and can sodas as well. The server came took our orders and within 15min started to bring our food out to us. The broth was hot but not piping hot. The skewers were flavorful however a little on the tougher side and not as moist as I would have thought. Still very good. I ordered a medium saimin, 2 beef and 1 chicken skewer and that filled me up just right. Came out to $20.75. ( I only had water)) The bathroom is a single for all to use and was clean. Since it is open air and windows are open as well there was not a strong smell. The building is smaller and gives plantation home vibes. Cute spot for some ono saimin. Broth was nice and smooth, not being too salty, which I was surprised since we came closer to closing so I would have thought we would be getting the bottom of the pot. Didn't get to try to pie, but did get almond cookies to finish and that was really ono too!

My boyfriend and I went here straight from the airport and it was the best idea ever. The place is cozy and casual, and the food was filling, comforting, and nourishing! We both got the special saimen and loved it. Their banana bread and pie are also notable mentions, although definitely eat the pie there since it’s so light it collapses after a car ride (still delicious!). Overall great atmosphere, kind staff, and delicious food.

super decent local chain to introduce ourselves to Kauai and the noodles were tasting very healthy and the spam as well. not like over hyped up American chains like it feels pretty authentic. it was just a lot of noodles so be ready for that. good start to the trip

Keep in mind this is a CASH ONLY establishment, but our only regret is that we didn't have more cash on hand to get more food because the udon noodles were delicious and the shrimp tempura was perfectly crispy! It was all very fairly priced, but we were cash strapped at the time. It's a nice small communal feeling inside and you can see them cooking 10 feet away in the kitchen and seems family owned. Definitely recommend this place

Delicious bowls of noodles and fast service. Small place but turnover is fast if needed. Don’t forget to try something on a stick and I really likes the pork and wontons in my Specialty Saimin. Important- Cash only!!!!

We may have too high expectations but the food is not as good as expected. Too less servers to make it a long queue. Fried oyster is good. Wonton is not good.

Saimin is a local food that may be mostly appreciated if you grew up eating it. Menu is simple. You go there because you are craving saimin. First timers may not understand the nostalgia esp the dated feel of the place. The non smiling workers can make you feel downright uncomfortable (as my first timer friends did). But I just loved seeing families slurping the noodles as the steam escaped from their bowls. You go in, find a stool at the counter, quickly decide what you want and order. Payment is cash only.

It was raining, so we were craving something soupy and comforting. We stumbled upon this place, and it definitely hit the spot. I loved the unique table setup, almost like a long bar, which gave it a cool, casual vibe. Here's what we tried: Sumo Bowl Saimin Special - What a fun dish. It comes with everything. I'm not sure if it's the best value, but it's definitely huge. We shared it and were both completely full, easily enough to serve 2 to 2.5 people. The broth and noodles were tasty and comforting. (4.5/5) Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - Delicious! Light, airy, and perfectly sweet. A great way to end the meal. (4.5/5) One thing to note: this place is still cash only. They don't charge tax, so the price listed on the menu is exactly what you'll pay. Service wasn't very friendly, I couldn't really get a smile or a thank you, but the food made up for it. Overall, come for the food, not the service. The eats were good, even if the hospitality wasn't very mahalo.

Note: cash only My last meal in Kauai was at this no frills local spot. We came by Monday morning around 11 right before heading to the airport and it wasn't too crowded. Was able to park and get seated quickly. As it's in the name, they're known for their saimin, though they offer some other noodle soup and fried noodle options as well. Seating is all on small barstools, which weren't the most comfortable. I don't recommend bringing large bookbags or purses as there's no place to put them except for on the ground. I got the special of the day, oxtail saimin soup ($20), as well a slice of the lilikoi chiffon pie ($6.50) to go. My friend wasn't super hungry and tried an order of their bbq chicken sticks for $3.75. The oxtail soup was very flavorful and came with 4 large pieces of oxtail. They were pretty fatty, but I think that's how most oxtail is and where the flavor comes from, so I just picked out the fatty bits. The soup also came with some egg and vegetables. To be honest, it was a bit hot to be eating noodle soup and I was sweating by the end of the meal (they only have fans, no AC), but I'm still glad I gave this place a try. My friend enjoyed his bbq chicken skewer. I had the lilikoi chiffon pie a couple hours later on the plane and it was okay. Reminded me a lot of a lemon chiffon pie with hints of lilikoi. I personally thought it was too sweet and wouldn't get it again.

We came on a week day during an off time, 3 pm, as we had a few hours to kill before catching our flight back home. I hadn't been here in years. There was only one other group of people inside. No AC and was a warm afternoon. Just wanted to hurry up eat and jump back in our AC car. There is parking right in front and the ladies working were friendly and expeditious. I wanted to try the Oxtail Saimin but it's only available on Mondays and Fridays so I settled for a Won Ton Min and a Beef BBQ stick, hubby just ordered a small saimin. Everything was delicious, that old school saimin stand delicious, BBQ stick was Ono, thinly sliced skewered beef in a delicious sauce and charred just a little bit. I wanted the Liliokoi Pie but was too full. Anytime we're in Kauai have to stop here at least once!

Hamura Saimin is an institution: I've been eating here since I was a kid. The remodel is nice: the place is much brighter inside than before. It can get really hot inside of its super crowded, but the ceiling fans do a pretty good job. If you like saimin, you'll enjoy this place. The saimin is pretty good, and served with all the accompaniments (chili water, mustard) that you need. The lillikoi chiffon pie is truly extraordinary and famous: it's like eating a deliciously tangy cloud. The meringue is super light, and the flavor is subtle and sweet. I could probably eat a whole pie.

Flew in, got the car, and cane straight here. Got two bbq chicken sticks ( delicious), shrimp saimin, and medium saimin ( regular). Everything was good, medium was more than enough. The lilikoi chiffon pie wasn't as sweet as most lilikoi dishes, and it was super light and tasty. Ate it all there...so much for it to go. It was pretty warm inside, even though the ceiling fans were on. Cash only.

Was looking for some good dinner options in the Lihue area, and Hamura Saimin popped up as an interesting option to check out! I haven't tried Saimin in Hawaii before, and this places looked to be highly rated by the local reviewers and, so we stopped by on a Sunday around 7:30PM and had a 5-7 minute wait before getting seated. There is nearby parking just across the street from the restaurant, and we were luckily able to find a spot. I could see this place filling up quickly on a more busy lunch/dinner rush, but on a rainy night like the night we went, it had a couple of vacant spots. Seating within the restaurant is open - there are not really individually defined tables, but groups of tables where you seat with other fellow diners. The restaurant was quite busy and there were about 2 servers handling like 20 - 25 people. Service is relatively fast - we got our food about 10 minutes after ordering. We ordered the Sumo bowl saimin special for $24 - which I think is solid if you are really hungry and are able to eat lot of food, and I even think this bowl is better shared between two people. The broth has a delicious flavor - it is rich and salty, and you can taste the dashi, which gives it a subtle seafood/pleasant fishy flavor. There is a generous amount of noodles and additions in the bowl - true to its name. The egg noodles were nice and chewy and continue cooking when served to a pleasant softness. Everything in the bowl is carried by the broth, which adds a subtle salty depth to each bite. It definitely feels like a comforting homestyle dish. We also got the Lilikoi Chiffon Pie for $6.50, which looked really enticing from other reviewer's pictures. I think this is my favorite thing here! I haven't had a chiffon pie before, and this is definitely the lightest pie that I have ever had. It's super airy, and carries a faint tart sweet lilikoi flavor. It's like eating a super airy whip cream that just melts in the your mouth as soon as it touches your tongue. In the end, I think that Hamura Saimin is a decent option if you are looking for a comforting homestyle meal here in Lihue. I think the medium/large saimin is enough for most people and it's only $8 - $11. I think the star option that is a must try here is definitely the lilikoi chiffon pie, it's pretty unique and is a excellent contrast in flavor/texture to the saimin. As over reviewers have mentioned, this is a cash only establishment, so make sure to bring some!

I come here every time I come to Kauai! It never disappoints. Most recently went for an early lunch today before our flight and went when it opened at 10am. It had been closed Sept 14-22 so I was relieved it was open! I got the medium saimin and chicken skewers (1 per order). Food is always a 5/5 for me especially considering the price point! Mom loved the lillikoi chiffon pie! Parking can be tricky but no issues today.

The best Saimin I have ever had! I knew it was going to be good the minute I saw the restaurant full of locals and nothing but aunties cooking up magic in the kitchen. We were quickly seated in their cozy throwback diner style space which in all honesty made the food taste even better. I ordered their shrimp tempura saimin and it was like a spiritual experience! I will continue to dream about this until the next time I come back to the island. I noticed their lilikoi pie was a big hit with folks dining in and taking out. While I didn't have it on this visit, I'm definitely planning to have it next time!

So we had to stop by Hamura samin Haven't been here for ever and we got the following items Special saimin Shrimp saimin Wonton min Chicken stick Deep fried Oyster

Went back a second time and love it just as much. I had the special saimin and the wontons. We took a steamed pork bun to go along with the Lilikoi pie. We ate them later and loved them.

Update: 5/22/25 Hamura Saimin is a long standing local eatery that draws customers from away and locally. The prices are reasonable, and your most likely will NOT walk away looking for other places to eat. Their saimin noodles are cooked perfectly, not too soft and not too hard. The broth is tasty, not salty or bland. I've reviewed Hamura Saimin in the past and their quality is consistent. Be aware that Hamura's can get very busy at peak times and the wait can be 1 hr+. I would recommend giving Hamura's a visit for good down to earth local comfort food (saimin).

A super casual cash only restaurant that seems to be frequented by both locals and tourists. Service was quick and efficient. There's no small talk and just business which might be off putting to some. My husband and I both ordered the medium special Saimin. Food was actually pretty good. Broth was clear and light, not overly salty which I love. Portion was just right. Definitely would recommend stopping by if you want comfort food that isn't too heavy!

The saimin is a Hawaiian take on a fusion between Chinese and Vietnamese noodle soups and a Japanese Ramen (which itself actually derives from Chinese noodle soup). Loving all of these individually had me really excited to try the specialty saimin. Unfortunately, what results is all three flavors being a bit more mild, so you end up with a soup that's tastes lighter and none end up being "the star." I very much enjoyed it, but it fell short of expectations in what I would have expected in going for a ramen or noodle soup on its own. It's definitely worth a try for the uniqueness of the dish on its own though. The chiffon cake was surprisingly good being quite a light and fluffy treat at the end of the meal.

Great hole in the wall. Locals love it. Kids love it. Has a nice diner feel where it's set up is bar-style. We come to Kauai every year for our wedding anniversary and always come to the place on the first day arriving. The old aunties are quiet and hard working. Understanding of children. We were able to split the sumo saimin size amongst all 4 of the kids. The only thing is parking. The small lot is usually full and you'll have to find street parking which can be a pain.

Small and friendly business. The menu is simple and the food is the same. There are no vegan or vegetarian options. The soup broth is pork/chicken based. Food is prepared quickly. Staff is efficient. The food was good. Decent local spot.

I'm not a pie person but my niece said I had to come and get the pie. I picked up an entire pie to share with the staff at the Westin Princeville staff

This is a casual hole-in-the-wall, no frills type of spot. I'd never heard of saimin before, and I was excited to check this place out since I love noodle soup dishes. We had a decently large group and we initially waited in line for dine-in, but decided to get takeout instead hoping it'd be faster, since the restaurant seating was full and the space was relatively small. I feel like this was a mistake as the we ended up waiting forever and pretty much watched the entire restaurant seating get turned over as we were waiting in the takeout line to place our order. The staff is hard working for sure, but I think they need a better system for tackling the dine-in vs. takeout lines. I'd say don't come if you have a group of more than 2-3 too...the workers were noticeable frazzled trying to attend to everyone. We ended up waiting an hour for our group to get our takeout orders, and I'd say the first half hour of that was just us waiting to place our order. Note that there is an extra charge for takeout so be sure to have enough cash on hand as they are cash only. Don't expect super friendly or amazing service either, staff was pretty much there just to do their job and get your order to you. Sadly we were all pretty disappointed with our saimin. I'm sure it didn't help that we had waited so long, but ignoring that, I don't feel the food really lived up to the price point. I've never had saimin before so I can't really compare it to other places, but to me it just tasted as if I just got a bunch of frozen and prepackaged ingredients from the local Asian supermarket and threw them all together without adding any additional seasoning or flavor. I don't like to waste food so I made myself finish my bowl, but my friends didn't finish theirs. Those that ordered chicken sticks/skewers said those were really good though. If you use the restroom, make sure to close the shutters in the front and back...both were wide open when I went and seeing as it was nighttime, people could have seen me doing my business had I not noticed and closed them. I'd have to guess they're usually left open for better airflow and ventilation. Overall, I don't think I would return, but it could be worth checking out if you're in the area and see that there's no line. I see all the good reviews and can't help but think maybe we just came on a bad day.

Disappointed in our experience and very confused at the attention this restaurant has. We saw every seat was taken, so we decided to line up for take out. We should've just left at that point. Understandably, there were only 3 women working the kitchen, cashier, and clean up. Of course it would take a long time. However it was the attitude and lack of customer service and urgency that made me feel like we wasted our time. We stood at the cash register patiently waiting, and 15 minutes later, one of the women finally came over and asked if we wanted take out. She took our order and left for another 20 minutes. It was hot and humid inside, so it wasn't very comfortable standing there. They continued to meander around tables, almost dragging their feet. They did not seem to care that they had people waiting to take orders, and there was a mishap with the dine-in line at one point. Customers were confused and rightfully frustrated at the lack of organization. Once we got our order, which was about 45 minutes later, we took our food back to our hotel since there was nowhere to sit. The food was extremely lackluster. I think the waiting time and customer service already left a sour taste in our mouth, and so finally eating the food, I was left wanting more for how long the process took. The noodles were OK, broth was OK, toppings also OK. The skewers were honestly way better than the Saimin. That's the only reason why I'm giving 2-stars because it had a nice char and flavor. If you still decide to come here... if you see a long line, just save your time and effort and go some place else.

After landing in Kauai, you can quickly get a locals meal by stopping by Hamura Saimin! Its a cash only, mom and pop sit at the counter joint with a quick serve, feed your soul saimin. The soup itself is part of the quintessential Hawaii experience and the restaraunt will have you feeling like a member of the community. Parking is tough here so triple check where you're parking is a good space! Smile, soak it in, and slurp your delicious bowl of noodles!

I always make it a point to come to Hamura's whenever I'm visiting. It's an old school saimin spot - there's no flair or anything fancy. Just good ol saimin or wonton min. I also always get the lilikoi chiffon pie while I'm here. The pie is super light and fluffy so you don't feel grossly full after and it's the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Service is good. It's cash only, so be prepared for that. It's all counter seating so expect to end up sitting next to strangers unless you're lucky and come when it's not as busy.

A classic kauai saimin spot! CASH ONLY-- make sure you have cash ready & anticipate a line. Very hole in the wall spot, simple menu but saimin was great & felt home cooked! I loved the chewy noodle texture & adding vinegar to the broth. Good prices & a cozy, nostalgic experience. Aunty working seemed very busy. We ordered the saimin & a Lilikoi pie, but I think our pie got forgotten. We weren't able to get anyone to bring us the pie, but it's okay! We were happy with just the saimin. Seat yourself, just wait for an open spot on someone's table. We came late at night so the wait wasn't too bad, but I heard the lines can be pretty long at rush hour.

Ambiance - 2.5 to 3.0 unless you like old school, then 3.5 - 4.0. Small, counter style, and if you come late you have to wait outside to get a seat. Parking - 3.0 - 4.0 gravel lot with a decent amount of spaces. There's also some after parking. Service - 3.0 - 4.0 depending on your server. Food - 4.0 - 4.5 Oxtail Saimin was great. Oxtails had an awesome flavor and price was very reasonable. Noodles were good and chewy. Oxtails had a lots of fat and were not quite fall off the bone but cooked just enough to be tender and easy to get off the bone. There were enough oxtails that it doesn't matter that there was a lot of fat which I removed. Would eat this again if I'm here on the right days since it's only served on Mondays and Fridays. Hubby got shrimp Saimin. Saimin was great of course. Shrimp came out a few a later, piping hot. Looked ready made but hubs was fine with it. Ordered a slice of Lilikoi pie - this was delicious! Well at least the chiffon and whipped topping. The chiffon was light, beautifully textured, not tart, not sweet but just right. So awesome! Crust was another story. I've heard of a crust like cardboard but this was my first experience where I can only describe the crust as cardboard. But it didn't matter - the chiffon was so delicious you didn't need the crust! Toyed with the idea of bringing a frozen pie back to Oahu - they said they had plenty and you don't need to pre-order. Hmmm.

As authentic as it gets .It definitely is unassuming but I could tell that locals eat here because the place didn't have any shenanigans and just offered 100% delicious food .You enter and they seat you at a communal table with others. There are only a handful of menu items and as a result it doesn't take too long to get your meal out. They cook right in front of you and it felt like a home cooked meal. The food was good ,my husband who was extremely sea sick only a few hours back was not only able to stomach it but also enjoyed it. The restaurant is cash only so keep that in mind .

This place is a must when visiting Kauai. Get the saimin and add on a beef and chicken stick. Don't forget the lilikoi chiffon pie. Food is so damn good. Fast and friendly service...but be prepared to order and move on so the next party can enjoy. This place can get busy and expect to wait. No frills here with the look of the place. Old school counter seating. Enjoy.

Damn... sucks to see the good ol' nostalgia turn bad. My husband had the XL Special saimin and I had the oxtail saimin (only available on Monday and Friday). I was excited since i've never been able to get here on a Monday or Friday before. We waited long time to get seated even though we saw plenty people just sitting and waiting to pay or waiting to get their food but nobody attending to them. It was just a weird mood, usually, it's bustling with the workers running back and forth and serving food and closing out and seating people. This time, it just seemed like everyone, workers and customers alike, was just waiting for something... anything‍ Finally, after we got seated, we ordered our food. Food also took a long time to arrive, like almost 10min (and if you work in food industry like i have, you know 5 mins feels like 15, shiet... we eat a whole meal during break in just 15 min! And still have time for a smoke!). My husband's wonton skin was all broken, the noodles were bloated and had no bite, and there was barely any broth in the bowl, looked like just saimin and toppings in the bowl at first! It was all overcooked! No wonder it took so long for us to get our food. The broth was yummy though, the little bit that he got. The oxtail was good, but they could've trimmed the fat a little bit. It was a little TOO much there. Again, the noodles were overcooked and had no bite. The chinese collard greens were all mushy too. And the broth was SUPER salty! Ohmagawd i thought i was gonna shrivel up like a lihing mui when i tasted it. But it was yummy and i wanted to have some more! But i didn't want to spike my blood pressure. Btw, FYI there's peanuts in the oxtail soup for those who have allergies. Just seemed like EVERYTHING was overcooked. I hope it was just a fluke and this was just a one-time thing. But if not, hope they can turn things around. Sad to see this legacy go down like this.

Our favorite Kauai hole in the wall. Bring cash (no cards) Service is slow here but the saimin always hits. Nothing fancy, but delicious local comfort food.

This little hole in the wall Samin stop is a favorite here on Kauai. It's cash only and has counter and 1 table seating that can sit about 30 people. It's usually very busy but on this visit, we came in at a good time. We got seated at the counter and was greeted by Auntie and Uncle who were working hard taking orders. There was another Auntie who was making all of the saimin orders. We ordered: 1. Small Saimin 2. Shrimp Samin 3. Beef Sticks The saimim was delicious and the broth was tasty along with the beef sticks and shrimp tempura. It hit the spot on that rainy weekend that we spent there. If you've been here you know and if you have never been here, it is worth a stop especially if you love traditional saimin, beef and chicken sticks, and shrimp tempura. The menu is not big but big enough for options and sizes. I will definitely return when I am in Kauai again.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the first stop for my husband and I after picking up the rental car at the airport (only a short drive away!). Food: We both ordered the Special Saimin, although I'd be tempted by the ox tail saimin (only available on certain days of the week) and other options if I was hungrier or had more time on th eisland. The medium bowl is probably a good size if you plan on getting other items too (like the BBQ chicken sticks and/or dessert), but that being said, the XL bowl didn't feel like "too much" food since the soup was tasty but light. For dessert, we shared a slice of the lilikoi chiffon pie (cake? pie?). Note that if you order food to-go after dining in, there is a slight price markup - this isn't a secret though since it's posted visibly on their menus. Service: TBH the service experience varied between visits, in terms of speed, attentiveness, friendliness, and other factors (it was never poor service though). Either way, we were always able to order and receive food quickly enough, and same with the bill. If you enter by the leftmost door and see a line, a tip that a local gave us is to just walk by and seat yourself (or use another door) - he said the line is for pickup/takeout orders, so you can save yourself some time there. I usually try not to go to food places more than once while on vacation, but my husband and I ended up going full circle by both starting and finishing our trip in Kauai with a meal at Hamura Saimin because we enjoyed it that much. One more tip before ending this review is that they're cash only, so don't forget to bring some with you!

Looks better than it tastes This is place is not bad by any means, it just isn't anything amazing. Tastes like a home cooked ramen dish. The wonton, eggs, and veggies felt overcooked. The noodles were a little too tough for me. The broth is just plain chicken broth. We also tried their skewers - the beef one was a bit tough, but the chicken one was juicy and tender. The lilikoi chiffon pie was probably my favorite - tasted like a not too sweet egg custard.

My go to place before my flight home. Good saimin and beef skewers. Their fried wontons are also good. Service was quick! Cash only!

This place is local to its Formica bones. It was exactly the same on my second visit in 2025 as it was on my first in 2006. The nicely charred chicken and beef bbq sticks are a delicious appetizer. We chose the wonton mein, which had delicious homemade-tasting wontons with the standard (yummy) noodles and roast pork. Our server looked like her bunions were really bothering her (or something). She wasn't thrilled when we ordered one soup to share, but it was plenty of food with the appetizers and pie. I wished the pie was a little more tart, but the flaky crust and chiffon texture were perfect. No AC, no credit cards, no BS.

Long line. Slow service. The one lady making the Saimin took her time. It was good though for my first time trying saimin. Got the one with wontons, and would pass as it was noticeably frozen wontons that weren't cooked all the way. The meat, noodles and taste were all really good. It was a nice old diner with rustic experience though. We had a group of 10, and they accommodated everyone as efficiently as they could. Don't pass on that lilikoi chiffon pie! I would come back to Kauai just for that If I could.

This is a bustling small restaurant with a really unique bar that snakes across the room. Don't forget that it's CASH ONLY! There's a bank you can get cash from ~5 min walk away. Not the biggest fan of saimin, I wasn't impressed. The skewers were really tasty! I wish they included some recommended insturctions for the sauces that are left on the bar. I had no idea what the sauces were and how they suggest to use them. The star IMO is the lilikoi chiffon pie! It's like eating a fruity cloud. Super light, moist, and eggy. The lilikoi flavor is pronounced and adds a nice tart flavor.

Tried the special saimin, but the wontons were undercooked and the broth reminded me of cup noodles. It was packed when we went for lunch, but overall, only the affordable prices stood out. It's a lively, casual, well-known local spot. Cash only.

Cute little mom and pop place. Lots of locals. We may have been the only tourists. I had a BBQ chicken skewer, chicken thighs with a light sweet sauce. Very good! We both got the ramen. The broth was amazing, the rest was just okay. Ham lunch meat slices with ramen, fish cakes and green onions. No frills but we loved it. Easily the least expensive meal we had on the island and very filling.

Cash ONLY. Cute little ma & pop saimen stand. Parking was easy for us to find. Once inside, it's seating free for all. Love how it's all counter, & just right there for the Filipino aunties to help you out right away. Short & simple menu, super easy to order & decide. My daughter & I got a medium saimen & bbq sticks that we shared. It was more than enough for the both of us. The food was soooo delicious! It reminds me of the saimen stands my dad would take us to when I was little. It was full of flavor & not soggy or salty. The sticks were filling itself. Juicy & flavorful! Can't wait to enjoy some saimen here again!

Many locals rave about this place so it's pretty safe to say their food is good. Hole in the wall so don't expect fancy. There were two things I wanted to try from here, their popular lilikoi pie and their manapua...well they were sold out of manapuas so I was only able to get a slice of pie. First off, I realized lilikoi is passion fruit lol...I thought it was some exotic fruit until I looked it up lol. The texture is very airy and the taste was light. It was good, not really my first choice of dessert but I'm glad I got to try it! I would definitely say go try it for sure. And even get some Saimin noodles since it's was also highly recommended by the locals!

There are few places in Hawaii that stick out from my trip the way this place does. Something about a cash-only joint like this one just breathes authenticity - nowhere better for Hawaiian-Japanese-style noodles. The portion was overly generous for such an incredibly reasonable price - cash only was a bit of an obstacle, but also kind of added to the experience. My only regret is not trying the Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - but I'll be thinking about that Special Saimin Bowl for a LONG time. Service was solid - especially having walked in 30 minutes before they closed - and overall the ambiance is very "hole-in-the-wall" or "hidden-gem." This place should be so proud of the product they put forward - it's popular for good reason!

It's in a sketchy area, the workers aren't friendly at all and really rude. The food was mid. Wouldn't recommend coming here

I'm a fan of simple, no-frills saimin. I believe that's the only way to eat it. This is exactly that. And a bonus is that they have lilikoi chiffon cake! Food (5/5): Cheap and simple options that hit! You know exactly what you're getting when you order. This is a cash only establishment and it feels like you've been transported to a few decades ago with the diner style foods. We ate the saimin and lilikoi cake, I thoroughly enjoyed both for the price we paid! Service (4/5): There's only 2 people working this whole place, one in the front and one in the kitchen. They are there to get you your food and that's it. I don't mind it, I'm there for the food anyways! Ambiance (4/5): All the tables are a part of a continuous counter that snakes throughout the restaurant. Everyone sits on a stool and there's a possibility you sit next to others.

At the time of writing, Hamura Saimin has a rating of 3.8 stars, which sets the stage for an experience that can swing from decent to memorable, depending on what you order. I went for the Special Saimin, a bowl brimming with an assortment of green onions, ham, fish cakes, vegetables, wontons, roast pork, and an egg. Individually, each ingredient held its own, but together, they seemed more like a mismatched band than a symphony. The components didn't quite harmonize, leaving the overall dish feeling a bit disjointed. Then came the BBQ chicken sticks--an undeniable highlight. Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly charred. For lack of a better word, I found myself "tricked" into buying banana bread. But it was a trick I didn't mind falling for. Moist, sweet, and comforting, this banana bread made for a perfect breakfast the next morning. The open seating at Hamura Saimin means it's first come, first serve, and I can imagine it gets crowded during peak hours. I didn't get to sample the Lilikoi Pie, but it looked like a treat worth coming back for. There's something here for everyone, and despite my lukewarm feelings about the saimin, I'd return to explore more of the menu. (Bring Cash)

Came here based on recommendations and my guy and I just found it to be average. It's good and not crazy priced for what you get, but it's very forgettable. We tried their Special Saimin and we were very happy with how packed it was. The wontons were pretty decent, but the broth was bland despite all the ingredients that were in it. I can see how this would be good if you have nothing to compare it to, but it missed the mark for me.

It's been a few years since I lasted visited but the food is always good. I haven't dined inside in so long (I've always ordered take-out) that I forgot how nostalgic it felt. I usually get my usual which is bbq chicken sticks and the special saimin, and get the large size portion but I wasn't feeling all that well so I chose the medium. I didn't order it this time, but the lilikoi pie is always a great way to finish the meal. Everything about Hamura saimin feels like home, the ambiance just feels cozy. P.S. this is a cash only establishment so remember to withdraw money before arriving.

Everytime I visit Kauai, I always end my trip and head to Hamura Saimin right before heading to the airport. This historical saimin shop is true hole in the wall mom & pop. I always get the extra large special saimin with 2 bbq beef sticks. The portion is hefty and loaded with toppings. The poke belly is plump and juicy, the broth is deliciously salty, and the noodles have a good bite. I always pour in the vinegar steeped with chili's for a nice tang. The beef sticks are good, but they always come out first and are cold by the time my saimin comes out. I also bought a whole lilikoi chiffon cake to bring back to Oahu - it comes frozen, and a paper bag is $1. The staff are always working hard taking orders, serving food, and clearing tables. There's a large table to the left that can fit multiple parties around, otherwise there's a snaking U shape counter throughout the rest of the restaurant. Parking isn't bad, especially on weekends when you can park on the side streets. Note cash only.

you have to get used to very soft (borderline soggy) noodles. the wonton had pretty dry pork in it. Cash only

Everything went well! Save room for the somewhat hidde gem of the lilikoi chiffon cake. It's air fluffy amazing. Ordered almost everything because im a pig Nothing was a let down. Bring cash..

This hole in the wall has been in Lihue forever and I loved it 30 years ago. And back again for Saimin! Got the regular medium Saimin and it was plenty for me. Side of beef and chicken skewers -- a smidgen dry for me but hit the spot after arriving from a flight. The lilikoi chiffon pie was a nice ending to the meal. Cash only!

Solid meal choice! Been coming here for 20+ years for ramen/saimin. Plus, our only meal in Hawaii for under $100 for 5 of us. Tip 1: Bring CASH; they don't accept credit cards. Tip 2: Arrive during "off hours" like 3pm and you'll get right in without a wait. Tip 3: Skip the "famous" lilikoi pie--tasteless.

We used to love Hamura saimin but it has not been quite the same for a few years now. The broth is extremely salty (many people I talked to said the same thing) and the service is nonexistent. The servers look like they don't want to be there and can be very abrupt and rude. Also, portions are small.