the vibes are cute like a diner but it's hot in there!! first time trying saimin so i have no point of comparison. i generally thought the dish was bit of a one note even with the addition of the mustard. i didn't want to really put the vinegar in because the containers that held it didn't look so clean nor safe? it was in a plastic container that used to contain pepper the broth is dashi broth like an udon. noodles are a bit of a mush on arrival. the dish itself is cute like something straight out of anime lol it's good as a junk food snack maybe - i had this about 3 hours before my flight and i didn't feel so hot afterwards service was pretty quick and straightforward! read more

Hamura Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Hamura had always been our favorite when we visit Kauai. We are locals from Honolulu and visit Kauai quite often and have visited the restaurant many times over the years. The restaurant has gotten worse each time we visited, not sure if it has something to do with the passing of the previous owner. It is still very busy; I think it is one of the few ( if not only) places you can get saimin on the island. The menu is the same and the food came fast, but the taste was not good at all. The saimin is ok, but the won tons were overcooked and undercooked at the same time (yes,really); the side with meat was so soft and broken that the filling was falling out, but the end where they close the won ton was so hard, doughy and raw tasting. The won ton filling was this loose weird ground meat. They are the worst won ton I've ever tasted. The bbq beef sticks which used to be our favorites, were also a fail; they were so overcooked and were so tough that's like chewing on beef jerky. The best thing was the pie, which was more like a cake; it still tasted like the old days. The added some new stuff like manapuas, which tasted pretty good, but they are different that the regular ones, with slightly chewy chunky pale pork fillings, not the juicy red char siu that you will normally expect. I wish the restaurant will focus on the roots and the main reasons why most customers come here - to eat good saimin and bbq sticks. The new stuff like manapua and lumpia are fine. But please don't forget, the name is Hamura Saimin, and not Hamura lumpia and manapuas. I am really sad to report that after around twenty to thirty years patronizing the establishment, I DON'T think we will be coming back. read more

This year our island mission is to find the best locals food. This was the most wonderful experience. Aunties are friendly, quick and helpful. Seating is family style. We immediately struck up convo with woman sitting across from us. We told her our mission and she said she would show us the way locals eat Saimin. She taught us how to fix up the pepper water with the shoyu sauce and yellow mustard. It was fantastic. Really took the flavor up to another level. We also tried the Lilikoi Chiffon Pie, which was so light and fluffy. Not too sweet. We were blown away when the cashier told us the lady at our table paid for our lunch! The aloha spirit is alive and well in Lihue. We will most def pay it forward. If you're looking for that place where your kapuna wahine is cooking, THIS IS IT! read more

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This was my first trip to Kauai in decades and my first time trying Hamura's! This is one of the few places most people I know recommend going as a must-visit for those traveling to Kauai. PROS The staff were incredibly friendly aunties and several of them helped us during our visit. The saimin came out piping hot and fresh. Noodles were cooked to perfection! Portions were quite generous. We weren't very hungry, so we ordered small portions and it was the perfect amount for us. Prices are affordable and condiments are readily available on the counter. It's a little unorthodox, but I added some chili vinegar to my saimin and it was delicious! CONS This is a hole-in-the-wall, no frills dining experience. It feels like eating in someone's home kitchen, which is kind of a vibe. The restaurant has no AC, which made it less than ideal for eating hot soup especially during the summer afternoon. Parking is very limited outside with a small gravel lot and street parking. The saimin broth was a little too salty for our tastes, but I was warned by a friend that that's how it is. I also ordered a beef stick, but our server forgot about it. TIPS Come during off-hours if you don't want to fight for parking. Come hungry and avoid the warmer months if you run hot. Try dip some of your noodles into chili vinegar and see how it is! read more

Hamura Saimin - Small portion of the regular saimin still comes with a generous portion of noodles! - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Hamura Saimin came highly recommended, and we were headed this direction to our hotel from the airport, so decided to stop by. The family and I were pretty ravenous considering we left early from California and hadn't had a meal for about 6 hours. Stopped in and the service was great - everyone was very kind, and it's definitely like stepping in another time period with the old fashioned diner style. I do think because of this though it didn't really cater to kiddos (e.g. no high chair). We ended up ordering regular and large saimin bowls so that we could share with the little one, and it was pretty good, but also pretty salty. I also acknowledge that I'm probably coming from a place of foodie privilege living in the Bay Area, but I think the noodles just didn't really meet out expectations from all of the hype unfortunately. I would definitely recommend trying it once while in Kauai especially for a quick meal! Also, please note that it is cash only, and you can pay at the register by the door when you are finished (which is nice that you don't have to wait for the bill) read more

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Got a slice of the famous lilikoi chiffon pie to go and it was excellent though I do wish it was a little thicker (more key lime, less lemon meringue). Cash only. read more

Hamura Saimin - Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Ok, i want to be thoughtful about this review because i have nothing to compare this dish. It was my first time having saimin and i can say it wasnt my cup of tea but that doesnt mean you wont like it. Very salty in flavor but good amount of food. The service was fast and I felt like I was dealing with a loving aunty with hard exterior. She kind of told you to sit somewhere, took the order and gave you food... no smile or pleasantries but i felt home at the same time. read more

Hamura Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Love Hamura Saimin!!! This is our very first stop every time we visit Kaua'i! It's set up the sane wag since I've been visiting as a young girl. The saimin is always perfectly made! We always finish our meal with the Lilikoi Pie! read more

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It's a Vibe. One you have to try. Broth was perfect and chicken tender. Although the beef skewers were slightly well done, I would still recommend them. Cash only. read more

Hamura Saimin - Special Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Went again after a year and this time the broth tasted very salty. I would rather have a light broth like last year so we can add condiments (lots on the table for you to choose). Shrimp tempura is better than the wonton. The wonton wrapping is thick and tough so would not recommend this one. Generous portions and affordable price. Saimin noodles were fresh. Aunty server has a good memory and I was surprised how she memorize everyone's order without writing it down. They have a restroom. Also be careful when you leave the restaurant because of the little drop when you walk out. Overall, it was better last year. read more

Hamura Saimin - Regular Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

The seating for this noodle joint is set up like a single bar that snakes through the available space, which gives it a but if a cafeteria vibe. Not in a bad way necessarily, but it encourages people to walk in for a quick meal and move on. Our order got taken quickly and the food was out in no time. We got their Special Saimin and they did not skimp out on any of the toppings. The portion of the meal as a whole was very generous. The dish was focused more on delivering a comforting, consistently clean flavor, but it did leave one a bit wanting. It wasn't the most flavorful bowl of noodles I've ever had, but maybe it wasn't trying to be. The noodles themselves had great texture. All in all, a 3.5/5 experience, rounded down to 3. read more

Hamura Saimin - Special Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

I haven't been to hamuras in a long time. It wasn't how I remember it. The saimin was kind of mushy. The waitress was not very nice. I'm not sure if that's because it's a small place so busy. Not used to sitting like bar still where everyone In sitting right next to each other. People are standing around by the window waiting so I felt a little rushed like eyeballs was staring at me to hurry up. read more

Haven't been back since last review but decided to give this place another chance. Highly disappointed. I ordered the special at $14.50. One chicken bbq stick at $4. Broth was nicely flavored but the noodles were soft and overcooked. Toppings were generous with won bok and mustard cabbage. It wasn't that busy. Tables were dirty when I first got there. I grabbed a seat and waited longer than necessary to get the table cleaned, my order, water and utensils. Asked for a mustard dish which was plopped in front of me. Rude. Just the whole vibe was one of "you're eating here so you should be grateful." Social media has elevated and over-hyped this mid place with rude service. Being that there are few saimin places for competition, sadly there is no reason for them to improve themselves but I hope they do. Won't be returning. read more

June 2026 We visited the legendary Hamura Saimin restaurant on our trip to Kauai. Parking: hit or miss. Cash only. Inside: The inside is very charming, small and full of people. Fortunately, we missed the big lunch rush by 10 mins. By the time we were done, the line was out the door. Food: we ordered the regular and the special saimin. Broth was delicious. The noodles were chewy and the won tons packed with meat. Afterwards, we had the Lilikoi Chiffon pie and was it airy, light and delicious. So glad we had a chance to eat here. read more

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Our last stop before we headed to the airport and it was the best choice! My dad wanted something simple and comforting on the stomach and Hamura Saimin delivers. It felt like going to Aunty or Grandma's house for lunch. Make sure you bring cash because it's a cash only place. (Word to the visitors: That's when you know the food is legit in Hawaii) Walk in and take a seat anywhere. The menu is simple and straightforward because you can't go wrong with really anything. From their Saimin selection with varying sizes to quench any type of hunger to BBQ Beef Sticks (a local uncle was devouring this near us), Fried Noodles, or Deep Fried Oysters! Our family tried the Saimin, my Dad got a Small Regular Saimin and Mom and I shared a Medium Special Saimin. The difference was Egg and Roast Pork on the Special. Make sure to add Black Pepper and the Hot Mustard for that sinus kick (if you like a little spice like me). Not pictured was their Famous Lilikoi Chiffon Pie!! It was so soft and airy with that perfect amount of tart with a little bit of whipped cream dolloped on top. Devoured it at the airport...it was that good! Make sure you make a stop here if you're in Lihue! read more

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The food is still good but service has gone downhill big time! I called to place a phone order and they didn't even ask my name or tell me how long and just hung up, so I called back to ask if they needed my name and how long only to be told they aren't busy so just come in. I did that and it was crowded so had to wait a bit for my food. I felt like I was getting dirty looks from the 2 female wait staff the entire time too. Such a bummer because they do have good food. The special saimen is my personal fav! It has so many toppings - wontons, pork, kamaboko, egg, cabbage - it's just really hits the spot! The lilikoi chiffon cake is also not to be missed. So light and fluffy with a hint of lilikoi flavor. If you're cool dining with a grumpy wait staff, this place is worth a visit. Old school vibe and you take a seat where there's an opening. Also don't forget, it's cash only. read more

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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. read more

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After perusing multiple social media pages this establishment comes highly recommended but to be frank, the food was bad overall. If you live/have lived in a big city like LA or NY, if you've ever traveled to Asia, if you've ever had a legitimate bowl of ramen/wonton noodles, prepare to be disappointed. We ordered the "Special Saimin" since it came with the most toppings. The noodles were overcooked and soggy. The wontons had thick doughy skin and were also overcooked and ruptured with the gritty ground pork filling spilling out. The roast pork tasted old as if it'd been in the fridge for weeks or frozen/defrosted multiple times. Honestly, the only part I enjoyed were the boiled vegetables and I was not able to finish my food. To summarize, I would not recommend this place. Service was lacking but I didn't mind for this kind of joint. If you must try it for your own curiosity, I'd recommend the regular saimin. Definitely a local fave with lots of native Hawaiians but not sure if that's because food options are limited on the island. This may be my worst meal of the entire trip. read more

Hamura Saimin - Special saimin with broken wontons - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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. read more

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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! read more

Hamura Saimin - Won Ton Min and BBQ Beef Stick after I already started eating it. - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Special Saimin was tasty and authentic. Fried wontons were also very good. I would recommend. read more

Hamura Saimin - Special Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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. read more

Hamura Saimin - Special Saimin xl - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Food was tasty but sever was not knowledgeable. I have shrimp allergy and specially asked for things with no shrimp and turns out the saison has shrimp. Had an allergic reaction after eating. Ambiance was good. read more

Hamura Saimin - Good was mommy but sever was not knowledgeable. Shrimp allergy be warned - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

The food here was terrible. The "special" saimin was special in a really bad way. The won ton in the saimin was THE WORST I have ever had in my life. It was just not edible. It tasted like they mixed plastic into it. The skin was super thick. The saimin tasted like it was left soaking in water for a couple of days. The bbq chicken sticks and bbq beef sticks we bought were not any better. They were dry and super tough. My TMJ ached from chewing so hard on them. The only decent food they served was their pie; it was okay. But they put a lot of sugar in it. I'm definitely not coming back to this place. No thank you! read more

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. read more

Hamura Saimin - Lilikoi Chiffon Pie - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Born and raised on Oahu. Stayed on Kauai for a month and ate at this place 5+ times -- this is the best saimin. The broth is the true star, with the saimin noodles following. I disagree with some reviews that say that Hamura is nothing special. Iykyk, saimin is supposed to be simple. The broth is so clear and pure, I would just get the regular saimin. IMO you can skip the other stuff (e.g. wontons, lilikoi chiffon pie, other saimins). The perfect order would be regular saimin with side order of ebi tempura and/or chicken skewer. Don't forget to grab a manapua if you are lucky. FYI the server aunties may forget your order, so you may need to keep a mental tab and remind them. They are more than happy to get it right for you read more

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! read more

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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 read more

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Got seated quickly on a Tuesday. Only thing is it gets busy at 4 pm, so we did have a wait for our food. The waitresses might have forgotten our food, but apologized for that. I don't blame them because there were a lot of to-go orders they were preparing. I did not mind waiting. The diner is loved by the locals. It feels like a mom and pop shop. CASH ONLY read more

Hamura Saimin - Special Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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. read more

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When in Hawaii, saimin is a must. Hamura Saimin definitely hit the spot. Just keep in mind the place is cash only! Self seating at communal countertops was simple enough. Condiments were readily available. Had to try the Oxtail Saimin especially once we realized it was only available on Mondays and Fridays. Great flavor and generous portions here. The Sumo Bowl Saimin Special was a welcome challenge after the logistical gauntlet of travel and navigation. Food coma status and a much needed rest after finishing. Seeing locals stop in for quick bites was enough to tell us that this was a good pick. While I wish I could give this overall experience a full 5 stars, I have to deduct a bit for the service. Interactions were efficient but a bit abrupt. Food was great, but minus a half star for the vibes. read more

Hamura Saimin - Oxtail Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Have to agree with the haters on this one. Visited based on various YouTuber recommendations. Unfortunately I found this restaurant to be mid to lower tier. Maybe I'm spoiled by really good food in L.A. Environment is fun. Very local vibe with all counter seating. You have to have visited before to know how to order exactly what you want. Not a lot of service or explanation happening here. The beef was gamey, the chicken was over cooked. Broth was flavorful and noodles were fine, but the wontons with doughy and a bit undercooked/hard. The place was full and people seem To like it. Wish I had a better experience. read more

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. read more

Hamura Saimin - Specialty saimin - Japanese Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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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). read more

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Always the small meal for me! Service is quick. A good filling meal. Eating here since I was a kid. read more

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We've been to Kauai a couple of times and had been meaning to come here since the rest of my family has loved this place for years! As expected, the service was friendly and prompt. The lilikoi chiffon pie was really good! The saimin was not quite how I remembered it, but maybe my tastes have changed. The broth was a little meatier than I expected with less seafood flavor and the noodles were a little gummier. That being said, I enjoyed my meal. read more

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Local family owned saimin shop- disappointed that the oxtails saimin already sold out when we showed up at 5:30pm on a Monday.... Everything was tasty! We especially liked the passion fruit pie- so light and refreshing!! My son had 2 slices in one setting!! Small restaurant and cash only! read more

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No matter how long I have been away From Kauai This us a must go to place Food still onolicious and people there are so on it! Pie delicios as always Homemade chicharon soooo good That pie.... Yummy read more

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. read more

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Amazing food and fast service. This is a cash only place, but the soups and appetizers are unbeatable with budget friendly prices to boot. We're repeat customers and would definitely recommend. read more