This place is so unassuming but an incredible "diamond in the rough". Yes it's not easy to find or see if you're a tourist, but once you find it, you won't want to go anywhere else for Saimin. As their name suggests, they specialize in Saimin and their menu shows it. Amazing to see a family run business stick to what they do best and not over complicate their menu. Simple and so ono'licious! The first night I ordered the won ton min. The noodles were perfect. Not too thick and not overcooked. Then the won tons...perfect handmade dumplings that were seasoned perfectly. Overall, the dish was topped off by the broth that was amazingly delicious. I've had Saimin many places and since this was a 5 day business trip, I really wanted to find a place that hit home. This place did the job and exceeded my expectations on so many levels. Especially since staying in Waikiki, you are surrounded by mostly tourist designed junk. I returned a second time and had a regular Saimin and again was not dissapointed. I will make sure to stop here every time I come back and visit family! If you ever come to Oahu and need to try Hawaiian food, this place is a MUST! read more

I'm going to add myself to the long list of Palace fans. My wife and I ate here tonight after what was probably a five year hiatus. Not going to wait that long again! So . . . I whacked the XL Won Ton Min @ $6.25. I swear that buggah was at least 3 lbs. of Saimin heaven. This HUGE bowl was filed with five plump and tasty won ton (cooked perfectly!), char siu, green onions and noodles. That's it, simplicity in a melamine bowl. My wife dined on the small Won Ton Udon @ $4.50 and even this bowl packed four won ton and some tasty udon noodles. Both bowls arrived steaming HOT within 5-minutes of ordering and three BBQ sticks ambled in a short while later. The Palace BBQ sticks reminded us of the ones we used to order at Kinau Saimin. Kinau's take was to cook the marinated BBQ sticks over burning kiawe wood charcoal in a heavy stainless steel hibachi. I miss that place. Found out that Palace gets their noodles from Eagle Noodle and they use shrimp as their soup base. Ono, ono and ono! Like their saimin, Palaces' menu is simply stated with only nine menu items including drinks. They also have a Saidon (Saimin/udon mix) which I'll try on the next visit. Table seating (benches like your uncles garage but real nice!) is limited and large groups may have to wait to seat together. Parking is fun! Only about eight stalls and they were all filled up when we arrived at 9PM. Staff was on the ball, fast, mega courteous and attentive. Palace used to have some funky restaurant hours before. Now it's all business Tuesday to Saturday from 11AM to 11PM. When we left at 10PM there was a line of hungry Saimin aficionados patiently waiting outside. A testament to the wonderful food awaiting the adventurous! Definitely add Palace to your list of Saimin stands and late night good kine grinds! read more

I've had this place bookmarked on yelp for several years now, but we only visit Oahu once a year and something always came up on our last few trips that prevented us from trying it. Today the stars finally aligned and we were so pleased! There's nothing fancy about it, and yet it was easily one of my favorite meals this trip. My husband, two picky sons, and I loved the Saimin and bbq sticks. It was so delicious and totally hit the spot. Our server was so sweet, too. Cant wait to visit again next year (and the year after that)! read more

If you are looking for old school won ton mein, this is the place! This is just what I was looking for when I think old school....flavorful broth, kamaboku, won tons with good filling and of course the chinese mustard/shoyu for dipping. The cement floor, Formica table tops, Diamond Head soda (strawberry) in the soda machine, and the open door to the kitchen area was what this dis-placed local was ono for. The girl who took our order was nice and efficient and the aroma coming from the small kitchen was fantastic. The meat sticks looked and smelled fabulous (even though we didnt order any...next time). I gave this place 5 stars because its clean, nostalgic, great flavors and unique now days. Want to see what it was like to grow up in Honolulu 50 yrs ago? Try this place....I love it and hope its around for another 50 yrs. Thanks for the good memories... read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Hot, fresh, cheap saimin is what this place is all about. It's a small restaurant with limited seating, but turn around is fairly quick. If there is no place to seat, it will only be a short wait. Food is good. I mean, it's saimin, it can only be so good. Ambiance. It don't get more casual or local than this. A great value. Service is prompt and friendly. read more

I absolutely love this place and the B-B-Q sticks are my favorite!! I always get the combo and its huge! It's also a plus that they are open late 10pm I think. The parking is a lil small so that's the only drawback. But I usually get a stall with no problem. read more

Stopped in for a bite to eat, Had the large saimin, teriyaki stick, and macaroni Salad. Hit the spot so ono We will be back. read more

This is the first time I've ever been questioned on the noodles..... it's only this one time it was bad but dang, the customer service was at an all time low...... your family legacy is going to rest bc of you. Tragic.... FIX IT. read more

This is a product of a bygone era, a slice of old Hawaii that I don't even remember truth be told. With that being said, I am a huge fan, I really really enjoyed my time here from the self serve soda fountain to the simplistic menu and of course, the yummy food. I was a little surprised to see that the beef stick prices were so expensive PER STICK but, they are tasty and it helps me to not order more than I should. I'm a fan, I miss the good ole days of place like this (or Sam Sato's on Maui) and hopefully this will still be around when my keiki are running around. read more

The BEST saimin on the island! Better than anywhere else, and I'm serious. Plain, small saimin is what I order. With two BBQ sticks. The saimin comes with char siu and green onions and the noodles are cooked perfectly! Absolutely love the BBQ sticks, especially if it's a little burnt! The best! I've been coming here since I was a child and it's still the same. I like the old style feel of this place. It's as if you're eating at your grandma's house. Oftentimes, you'll find yourself dining next to strangers bc of the lack of tables.... but it's ok. Local style, as we call it. So, I give Palace Saimin 5 stars. Not only for it's ono food, but for being one of a few restaurants that has kept that old school, local dining feeling alive. read more

Having dinner at this historic landmark this place has been here since 1947. Very easy menu with only 8 items on the entire menu. Service was very friendly and very quick with the food coming out the prices are very cheap and the amount you get was great I will be back for more. Lots of Aloha to palace saimin read more

Palace Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Old school noodle place that has been around forever, I only recently stumbled across this place when some co-workers decided to try this out for lunch. Stand is located directly across from the post office, others in my group have parked there and had no problems, I'd rather take my chances finding either on-street or getting lucky and scoring a parking spot in the lot. Be warned, don't get greedy looking for a spot since it can be tough, take what you can. Menu is as simple as it gets, saimen, udon, won-ton min or saidon (a phrase they coined which is 1/2 saimen and 1/2 udon). Small is often enough for most normally sized folks, large if you're feeling beasty and have to tame yourself. Don't forget to order the bbq sticks, probably one of the better ones that I've had. awesome overall value, taste and atmosphere overall. read more

Gosh I'm gonna get a lot of hate mail after this review, but here it goes. Hi my name is Chloe, and I do not like Palace Saimin's saimin. There, I said it. When you see me in public please do not beat me with a stick. Keep in mind that I was born and raised in Hawaii and I LOVE saimin. I could eat saimin all day everyday, but not Palace Saimin. Small Saimin: I think it was $3 something for this. Coolio. The noodles were different from the other saimin places. I wasn't wowed or anything, but I could taste the difference. The thing that really turned me off was the broth. I had to dump the whole thing of chinese mustard to have some sort of taste. Ambiance: I came here on Friday night at around 9 and this place was PACKED with grandmas and grandpas eating saimin. The whole system was really confusing for my bf and I. At first we were going to order take out, but after awkwardly waiting at the counter for about six minutes or so we decided to eat our saimin there. Don't wait for anyone to seat you, just walk in and find a table. As for the actual ambiance, it's old school. Like REALLY old school. Overall: I give Palace props for having the cheapest bowl of saimin in town and being open late. No matter how much my aunties try to convince me it's the best, I just don't care for their saimin. read more

Lived on Oahu for 10 years and have never been to Palace -thanks for technology and apps I found this little hole in the wall....& will be back again with my family one day soon! Udon min with the teri-stick has yummy!! read more

At first I wasn't happy with this place, but then I thought to myself, "Self, you don't need air conditioning or mood lighting at a saimin stand. Be happy you have a place to sit and eat." This place gets five stars because it's exactly what a saimin stand should be. Good, cheap food. I've always gone right before they close and they always accommodate us. Since we go late parking isn't a problem but it looks busy during the daytime. I'm not a fan of the BBQ sticks as ours are usually a little too tough for my taste. The small saimin is enough to fill me up every time and it's my favorite. But you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's as good as it gets on the island. Go go go! read more

This is a no frills kind of place so I'll give you a no frills review. Great BBQ meat stick...you can smell the aroma from the parking lot. Wonderful saimin noodles...great texture and not soggy. Flavorful broth that you just can't find elsewhere. Diamond head Strawberry Soda! Enough said. Great nostalgic feel with efficient and friendly obaachans working. Parking sucks. read more

This is by far one of the best and last standing Saimin stands I have been to! Their BBQ sticks are soooo yummy! And the Saimin is good especially when your sick! Warms you from the inside out! read more

Palace Saimin - Menu board! Awesome prices! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The Bbq sticks are so damn good. This place is a true Hawaii classic. No frills, just the real deal. The simplicity of the saimin: a light but flavorful broth, chewy curly noodles, a sprinkle of char siu and green onions. No eggs, no fish cake, no tempura...not that anything is wrong with any of that, but if you just want simple goodness that harkens back to old school Hawaii, this is the best! And the prices are so reasonable...my large saimin was like $4 something and the BBQ stick was $2.25. Can't beat that with a bat. Parking is limited--we didn't have a problem getting a stall--we came around 6 pm on a Friday. They are open late so try to come at a not-so-busy time and you'll be fine. read more

Everything is so Ono. I tried the combo and was pleasantly surprised. He love their won ton min. Must have item on the menu. The parking is very limited but waiting or searching is worth it. read more

Ahh comfort food :) this hole in the wall saimin BBQ shop has been around for over 75 years and they continue to serve consistent 'ono grindz with fast friendly service. My parents used to go there when they were dating in their 20s. I heard this family business has been passed down generations. My favorite go-to is the wonton min but the normal saimin is a great staple too. The noodles were a good aldente texture and the soup was basic yet savory goodness. Da kine good for the soul:) The place kinda smells like patis which could be off putting for some but that's a homey smell for this pinoy lol. The wonton are bomb! It was probably my favorite part of the meal. The small size bowl was filling enough for me. Also, the barbecue sticks are a must-have addition to your saimin meal. Definitely a locals spot but you might see a few adventurous tourists who made it all the way out to Kalihi. They also do takeout so feel free to order out but there's a small charge for the containers. There's a small parking lot right in front that can fit about 6 cars. There's a few stools outside for you to sit while you wait for a table or for your takeout order, but the table turnover is real quick here so you probably won't be waiting long. All in all, this place is a jem and I hope we'll be able to keep coming back for years! read more

Good simple old fashioned saimin. Not someplace you would take a first date. But definitely someplace you'd go for a simple meal with good friends or after a movie. Wish it was still open late but these days fewer and fewer places are. read more

Small parking. Small restaurant. Pretty hot inside for having soup but the saimin was worth it. Beef skewers were good too. read more

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Parking still is terrible but worth the wait! I had the won ton min and BBQ stick! Ohhhh the simple things! Yummy! Maybe I gotta do take out because it's HOT in here! So serve yourself fountain drinks and serve yourself water :) gotta keep them prices low low low!! read more

Great food. Saimin and the chicken skewers were very tasty. Overall great experience and will be back soon.

The broth had no taste was so ever! Had to add the mustard hot sauce to give it flavor and the beef sticks were hard. Sorry, I heard it was good and its always so busy there. read more

Can't imagine that this was my first visit to Palace Saimin but I wasn't really missing much. I very very rarely put any additional flavoring on my food (salt, pepper, shoyu, ketchup, etc) but this saimin had no taste. The won tons were nice and hefty. The barbque sticks were of ok taste and the meat was a little tough. I've had better elsewhere. Price was decent though parking sucked. read more

We've been to many saimin places, but this one is just the BEST! The food here is so good you will not mind the limited parking, waiting outside for a few minutes to get a table, or the lack of air conditioning! When you go, the food is soooo delicious, that's all that matters! We love their broth - it doesn't have that "fishy" flavor the other saimin places have. And their bar-b-que sticks are just the best - it's so flavorful and juicy! Just remember: it's a hole in the wall and nothing like fine dining, but your tummy will be very happy and satisfied! read more

First time trying Saimin noodles wasn't sure what to expect ordered the small Saimin it came out pretty fast and extremely hot broth. The noodles were cooked well but I wasn't a big fan of the taste of them. The broth was really favorable and I eat it all with the help of my wife . Sadly Saimin is not for me and won't be trying it again although the broth was really good not to salty the noodles themselves I didn't really like they had a strange favor imo. Nice small cozy place the staff were really nice I would still recommend this place still if your a fan or you wanna try Saimin for the first time because hey it's only 6.00 for a small. read more

been to this place for years and still my favorite saimin joint! The prices are totally affordable and the bbq sticks are a total must-have!! read more

This place is GREAT! I thought I've been there before but was mistaken. The Saimin and wonton reminds me of the old Saimin stand on Robello Lane in the 50s & 60s. Anyone old enough to remember that place? The barbecue sticks are the best I've eaten on the island. This is one place that I plan to go over and over again. Parking is a little tight and if you sneeze you'll pass the place as it's just a small mom and pops place but with one the best old fashion Saimin I've ever eaten. No A/C in the place but lots of fans. read more

It's been such a long time since I've had great won Ton min, among all the ramen shops opening around town, i needed a fix for the real original saimin, this place is awesome, with a small menu(its all you need in a saimin shop), it was great, coming back, garens ball barens read more

If you want REAL saimin, you come here. I've been coming here ever since I was a little girl and I will always remember those yellow bowls with the polka dots on them. Now that I am a big girl, I can actually get a small or medium. Their food always satisfies me. The menu is simple with your staples: saimin, won ton min, BBQ sticks. Cheap and amazinggg. I don't know what they marinate their BBQ sticks with but I love it. I didn't think that BBQ meat and saimin would go together either because I always end up putting it in my saimin. Although they only serve water that you have to get from a water fountain, there are soda machines that have DIAMOND HEAD SODA!!!!! If you're a salty sweet person like me, Strawberry Cream Soda and saimin go together like peanut butter & jelly! Cash only and all the old aunties that work there are so nice, always smiling, working so hard. I believe they're still the same ones who work there since I was little. I don't know what the hours are now but before they used to open at 8PM which was really awesome for nocturnal people. They don't have AC but they do have fans. Parking always sucks but I've never had to park super far away from the restaurant before. It was always still convenient. Sometimes there is a line but all you have to do is just stare at the customers eating through the window so that they will feel awkward and pressured to leave. Super casual, like nigh nigh clothes, hammajang & slippahs casual. read more

I've been going to palace saimin since I was a kid! Their saimin is awesome and I absolutely love their BBQ sticks! The parking is tight but it is totally worth the wait! They open for lunch, then close, and reopen for dinner. :) read more

What is a visit to Hawaii without a stop for saimin. Palace Saimin is one of the best. This is not fine dining. In fact, I would say go during the day time because the neighborhood is not spectacular. Best to go elsewhere for dinner. There are only 3 things on the menu. Saimin, udon and bbq stick. The noodles come in 3 sizes and the XL is a carb bomb. It is a huge amount of noodles. Unless you are starving or planning to run a marathon the next day, I would say stick with the L or smaller. Noodles were fresh made, the soup was simple but tasty and the prices were very low. The fact that "stand" is in the name of the place suggests the size and amount of seating. It is tiny, but tables turn over super quick. read more

Best Saimin stand on the island, hands down. They just do this simple dish right. One large saimin and a BBQ stick = YUMMMM. The broth is so tasty. It's simple, as it should be, yet one can taste the time and love the cooks put in it. The saimin noodles are also just garnished with green onions and char siu. They give you the usual condiments on the side (shoyu, pepper, salt, tobasco), but my preference is the hot mustard. Eat this piping hot bowl with a BBQ stick, and you are set for a delicious lunch/dinner. I have been coming here since I was a little girl, and I will continue to come here for years and years and years to come! read more

I've been on a quest to find the perfect saimin for a few months now and Palace Saimin really comes close. The broth is light and clean with green onion and char siu. The noodles are perfectly delicate. It always comes out piping hot and fragrant. I've tried the wonton min as well (which is also very good), but prefer the broth flavor in the original saimin. I kind of don't understand what everyone seems to love about the bbq sticks. It is definitely sweet, bbq beef on a stick. for $2, but it's not like the best bbq I've ever had. It does go well with the saimin though. I'd say the bbq stick is definitely worth a try, the samin is a MUST. Some logistics: parking is scarce seat yourself cash only (atm at the drive in across the street) pay at the register read more

Good service Good old school Saimin Good old school BBQ sticks These places are becoming rare... read more

All in all the food was okay. Its good for a cold day. I got the Won Ton Min.

My family and I have been coming to this restaurant since before I can remember. I have tried MANY saimin houses on the island, but Palace Saimin is my favorite. Whenever we go I always order the BBQ Stick and the Won Ton Min. Their pricing is great considering the portions you get, and every part of the meal is tasty! The BBQ Stick is always cooked to perfection, with the right amount of tenderness/charcoal flavor, perfect for snack sized bites. Their saimin noodles are the perfect amount of chewiness, and the broth is great for when you are sick/cold nights. The garnishings with green onions and char siu are a great simple addition as well, and add to the texture and flavorings of the simple meal. The won ton is AWESOME, noodle is perfect, the filling is great. I can't rave about this place enough. It is a very simple meal, but everything on it is of excellent quality. I only wish they were open on Sundays and Mondays as those are my days off! read more

Pros= BEST Saimin I ever had! Prices are great. Beef sticks are amazing!! Cons: Parking sucks. but i have parked across the street at the post office. Not very many tables All in all, great mom and pop restaurant. read more