Wanted to stray from my normal plan when I visit Maui so decided to try Sam Sato's upon landing. I've so been missing out! For starters old town Wailuku is so cute and full of history. So many good eats options, with Sam Sato's being just one of many. It's a no frill kind of place with a friendly staff. Things tried: - small dried noodles: the noodles were nice and eggy and loved all the toppings! They really hit the spot. I didn't finish took leftovers to go. The next day I reheated the noodles and put a fried egg on top - soo ono! - beef stick: so much flavor and a must try! The beef is nice and tender too. - Lima bean manju: I didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised - I get what the hype is about. Not too sweet and the perfect texture. I ended up getting extras to go. All in all a solid place to try when visiting Maui! I'll definitely be back! read more

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A MUST HAVE WHEN IN MAUI This has been my favorite place to eat so far in Maui, the dry noodle is super delicious & the broth that you eat on the side with is FLAVORFUL. The beef skewers are the perfect texture & flavor. We ordered 4 at first, & ended up ordering 2 more right after. Delicious! Our server Tiffany is soooo nice & attentive. Super sweet & gave us recommendations since it was our first time there. She also recommended the banana pancakes there (come before 11), we will definitely be back to try that before we leave. Overall 10/10 recommend! read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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How have I not reviewed this place yet. It had been years since I actually dined in, but we made it in this time. We waited for a bit & I think our name was skipped a few times. I finally went up to someone as she was looking at the clipboard & asked. She apologized & we went right in. Had to get the drymein of course & the French fries. Nothing changed, dry mein is always nothing short of good. A good amount meat & some soup to add in if you would like. Mine miraculously came without bean sprouts which was great as I forgot to ask. Service was great & coming here is always so nostalgic. Till next time. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

This spot was so so good! I ordered their dry noodles because it was recommended by one of my neighbors and it didn't disappoint. My husband ordered the Hamburger Steak Plate and it was one of better ones that he had on the island. The hamburger patty was super juicy! Definitely a local gem that I highly recommend. Not to mention, their service is super quick! Food showed up nearly instantly! read more

Sam Sato's - Hamburger Steak plate; Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Sam Sato's still gives the feels! I haven't been home to Maui in years, and one of the first places I wanted to eat on my list was from my childhood - Sam Sato's! We made sure to pay a visit on our first free lunch day! Of course, coming during the lunch rush we had to wait for maybe 20 minutes outside before getting a table for 4. Longest 20 minutes of my life LOL! Paid off though when we finally got seated! Ordered the usual suspects: -Dry Noodles (Dry Mein) ($18.95) - DOUBLE sized for 2! Or one Hungry Hawaiian HA! -Cheeseburger Deluxe ($5.95) -French Fries with Mustard/Mayo ($5.95) -BBQ Stick (Beef and Chicken) ($3.75 each) -Manju ($1.25 each) -Turnovers ($1.85 each) I was so hungry I forgot pics of half my order! Shared the Dry Noodles with my Mom but honestly I ate 75% of that double order LOL! Just as awesome as I remember - just needed a dash of the soup, splash of shoyu, dab of Tabasco, and a lot of cracked black pepper! Ugh, so ONO! The Cheeseburger Deluxe and French Fries were honestly not gourmet, but the nostalgia factor brings it up a notch for me. Don't forget to dip into their Mustard/Mayo mix, it's a game changer! The BBQ Sticks were a little overdone this time but I'll let it slide because I do love that char on the edges. And you can't leave without having a manju and turnover (or 2....of each LOL) for dessert! Not much has changed at Sam Sato's over the decades (except maybe the prices, they went up!) and that's the way we like it! Old schoo for an old foo like ME! read more

Sam Sato's has not disappointed me in all my visits. Yes the wait can be long. But when you ono da kine, you can endure. Having saimin here is a must when I visit Maui. Good saimin is hard to get, even with the culinary diversity in Southern California. It's that good. Just as I remember having when I was small kine back on Oahu. read more

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The dry noodles were so tasty especially accompanied by the spicy hot mustard. We came here twice in our 5 night stay in Maui. We also liked the beef skewers and lima manju. I like the old school feel of this shop and would definitely come back. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

It has been a very long time since I went to Sam Sato's Restaurant in Wailuku. It's still delicious way back in the late 90's and now. The food is comforting and good! A very nice getaway! I forgot to take a picture of the lima and azuki bean manju. The people who works at Sam Sato's Restaurant are really friendly and helpful ! Thank you Sam Sato's Restaurant ! read more

Sam Sato's - ham and cheese omelet with hashbrown @Sam Sato's Restaurant Wailuku - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Came here to try out the famous dry mein. Got lucky and were able to be seated immediately as there was a table open, even though the restaurant was packed. Had tons of people waiting for take out as well. Server was super on it and took our order quickly. Got the dry mein, cheeseburger, french fries, and beef stick. Dry mein was delicious. Like friend noodles with some soup on the side. Noodles were flavorful and cooked well and light broth complimented it well. Got to try the cheeseburger as well. So flavorful. Reminded me of in-n-out with the thin patty and the mustard mayo that they gave on the side. The beef sticks were charred super well and had a nice meaty flavor. I ate it so quickly! Got some french fries too and they were hot and crispy! On the way out got some of their manju. Small, but delicious! Will be back again! Parking: Parking in the lot in the front or on the street. read more

Sam Sato's - Dry mein, cheeseburger, beef stick, and french fries - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

Tried Sam Sotos after seeing it all over social and had to check the hype for myself. It's definitely a small, hole-in-the-wall spot that feels very local and low-key, which I actually liked. I ordered the dry noodles with chicken -- flavors were solid and you can tell the ingredients are fresh and good quality. Portion size for the price felt pretty average, nothing that really stood out or made me want to come back. It's good, just not that good. Service was fast, host was attentive. Overall, a decent spot to try once if you're nearby, but honestly you can skip the hype -- not a must-hit. Rating 4/5. read more

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Upon Arriving to Maui we had to check out the Sam Sato's for lunch before it closes at 2 pm. Was recommended by my co- worker who frequently dines there. So we tried the BBQ beef sticks, hamburger steak & BbQ plate which was so delicious! Homemade style just how we like it, also bought a variety of pineapple coconut, apple, blueberry, and azuki beans turnover and manju pastries. It was a 45 min wait to get a sitting, but it was worth it! Next time we gotta try the dry noodles!! Mahalo Sam Sato's. read more

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Today was my first time to this cute hole in the wall. Not many tables but seemed to have a fast turnover. We waited about 15 to 20 minutes. We ordered 2 small dry noodles and 2 BBQ bees sticks. Noodles come with a cup of broth on the side and the skewers came with hot mustard. From my first to last bite, everything was so tasty making me think, I will definitely be returning. Despite ordering a small size, I could not finish it and took the rest home for a great snack! Staff very friendly and genuinely kind. While waiting we saw a lot of to go orders processed which is probably a good option if you don't want to wait for a table. I'll be back! read more

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this restaurant offers traditional Hawaiian comfort dishes such as dry mein (like Saimin but dry noodles), breakfast items like pancakes and loco moco, and diner type foods like burgers and fries. When we arrived around 9am on a Wednesday (new years eve), there were already people eating at the restaurant. They have a takeout counter for takeout orders only but if you want to dine in, make sure your entire party is present, otherwise they won't seat you. Plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Restaurant was very homey and had comfortable seating and booths. We ordered a family style mix of dishes since we came with a local friend and wanted to try all their dishes. I was really excited to try the dry mein, because I love noodles. The noodles were springy and I could definitely tell they were made in house but was a bit disappointed in the flavor of the noodles alone. I enjoyed it more with the dashi broth that they give on the side though. The fried rice and yakitori were also filling. My favorite had to be the banana pancakes. The pancakes were so fluffy, light, and the banana pieces added a sweet kick at the end. The entire meal cost us around $80 for 7 people which is an amazing price point!! I would definitely come back and recommend if you want some comfort Hawaiian food here in Maui. read more

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A nice mom & pop place in Maui. Dry noodles with skewers are surprisingly good combo. Another surprisingly good entree is their breakfast. Pancakes were great particularly the banana. Enjoy read more

Wow what a service. We ordered take out. We opened at home only to find there wes no meat on our noodle. We called and was told that they mixed up orders. We were told to come get it. We had to drove back. We'll they didn't make a new batch, but they gave us a bag of meat. Seriously? No compensation? read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Amazing local dining destination in Wailuku. Limited spots in the parking lot. We lucked out to be seated at a two top upon arrival (8/29/25). We started with half a papaya served with a juicy lemon wedge. Amazingly fresh! The Homie had a small loco moco and then later ordered a perfectly griddled pancake. I ordered a classic breakfast with two overeasy eggs, steamed rice, Portuguese sausage, and an orange wedge. I also glanced at their well stocked pastry case. Note: breakfast is served only until 11am Lunch menu and specials look equally as tasty. It was so tasty, we returned as our last meal before heading to the Kahului Airport (9/2/25). This time we had a short wait to be seated, just make sure to get your name and number in your party on the clipboard. We feasted on 4 grilled beef skewers and a small order of the dry noodles. No frills ambiance, but clean restrooms, and genuine welcoming staff. Genuine ohana and aloha spirit! Highly recommended! read more

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When in Maui must find this place,,, food is delicious and price is very reasonable. Workers are super friendly and very accommodating, it's always packed so the ambiance is fun, but well worth the wait. Go check them out! read more

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The hamburger steak patty was not our favorite and I didn't like the tuna melt as they mixed what taste like relish in it. The dry mien is great as always and the cheeseburger deluxe is my go to, to pair with the noodles. We ordered two orders of fries and it never came out till we were almost done eating so my kids never had a chance to enjoy it with their cheeseburger. When I went to remind the waitress she said it was about a 30min wait. That's a long wait just for fries. She should have told us this in the beginning as I wouldn't have cancelled the ordered. Service was good but a bit too hot for me to dine in. It was really busy and loud and the wait can be very long. The restaurant isn't that big but it definitely needs an A/C upgrade! read more

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Had to come try this place based on all the reviews and recommendations. Was not disappointed. The staff is very friendly, hard working and attentive. Service was very fast. We tried the dry mein and the special Saimin soup, both reasonably priced. The dry mein was excellent with an al dente finish on the noodles. The pork was tender and the accompanying soup was good to add to the bowl of noodles as needed. The special Saimin soup had a different broth than the Saimin we've had on Oahu and Kauai. It was more of a miso broth than a shoyu broth and probably would not order it again. Overall, a great experience and will be back in the future to try some other items. read more

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So happy to have a chance to visit Maui and make our first stop at Sam's! We got here 40 min before closing, but fortunately, they were able to accommodate us! We were all looking forward to try their famous Dry Min and shared the Mac Salad, Saimin, Teri Burger & their famous Teri sticks (tastes like Obon) and Azuki & Lima Bean manju. True Aloha hospitality here especially since you can see all the Aunties behind the weathered screen door, making everything from scratch... and their mac salad is DEFINITELY on point!! Hope to visit again soon! read more

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This place has got to be one of my favorites! The staff is so nice and helped walk me through the menu options. Definitely off the beaten path and not in a touristy area but well worth it. Get the beef stick. They were so good we really thought about trying to take some on the plane home. Do yourself a favor and head over there. read more

Sam Sato's - Wet Saimin noodles - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Since it was my first time ever coming to Hawaii, I had to try some Saimin. Sam Sato's specializes in dry Saimin, and, wow, it was delicious!! I wish I got her name, but our server was so, so helpful and kind! She gave us recommendations and how she likes to eat the dry saimin. thanks to her our experience was 1000/10. The noodles dipped in the Chinese mustard mixed with shoyu followed by a sip of broth - chefs kiss!! The noodles alone were great, but the combo with everything made it perfect. The mini loco moco was simple but delicious! And we finished everything off with their with manju which was recommended to us by our server. Both flavors were really yummy. Sam Sato's was such a great experience during my visit to Wailuku! The homey vibes of the restaurant (so many regulars came walking in), the amazing service, and the delicious food. I will remember it all fondly. read more

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This place has been a family favorite of ours for year... and when I say years I mean YEARS!!!! Over 20 years we've been going and the food never changes. Always consistent and always so good. The dry mein is something that is their specialty and you have to get it. There's something about the dashi that goes with it that just makes the noodles so tasty. Don't be afraid if there's a line, because there will be, they turn tables fast and people are considerate and don't just sit and take up space. I have yet to find a place on Oahu that can even compare to Sam Satos. read more

Sam Sato's - The usual spread - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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I have been a noodle girly since day 1 so Sam Sato's had my name written all over it! This is more of a local spot, so I'm so happy I found it! We came by for a late lunch and had to wait maybe less than 5 minutes for a table. Food came out at lightning speed. The portions are super generous and may or may not put you in a food coma for the rest of the afternoon. Make sure you get the skewers! My mom doesn't look noodles that much so she ordered the beef tomato dish and the beef was really tasty! It was her favorite dish. In addition to really quick service, they create a warm and welcoming environment. Will definitely be back the next time I'm visiting! read more

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Sam Sato's is one of those spots where you walk in as visitors and walk out feeling like part of the neighborhood. My friends and I stopped by and were instantly swept up in the warm, local vibe -- friendly staff, quick service, and an ambiance that feels both classic and comforting. We tried a little bit of everything and honestly enjoyed it all. The cheeseburger deluxe hits that perfect old-school diner nostalgia. The signature dry noodles are a must, and the super dry noodles with vegetables takes it to another level. Don't skip the yakitori -- simple, smoky, and delicious. Beyond the food, what really makes Sam Sato's special is its heritage. From a humble general store in the sugar-cane fields back in 1933 to a beloved Maui institution today, you can taste the generations of care in every dish. It's the kind of spot where recipes and smiles feel like they've been passed down through the family just for you. Whether you're grabbing takeout or sitting in for a quick bite, Sam Sato's serves up flavors that linger long after you've left. "ʻO ka ʻai i loaʻa ke ola" -- food that gives life -- has never felt more true. A must-visit on Maui for anyone who loves great food, great people, and a real local classic. read more

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Food as always onolicious. Service was super fast. Brought friends from outer island they enjoyed it also. Will be back as ok as always.

Sam Sato's is a must if you want a real local Maui experience. The dry noodles are amazing. They instantly reminded me of bakmi in Indonesia, that same simple, savory comfort that hits the spot. Everything is quick, no fuss, and the food tastes like something they've been doing right for a long time. It's popular for a reason, so it's worth the wait. You can tell this is a local favorite, the place is full of locals, and the vibe feels authentic. If you're in Wailuku and want something iconic, go for the dry noodles. read more

Sam Sato's - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Good food at a good price. The dry mein is delicious. I got the broth on the side and it doesn't really have flavor. The cheese burger deluxe was simple and delicious. The bbq stick was juicy and good too. The food was fast to come out. read more

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We went to Sam Sato's with local friends. The line was long during Saturday lunch time and we waited for about 30min. We tried their signature dry noodles, yakitori, and cheese burger with fries. The dry noodle portion was huge and definitely enough to feed two persons or more. I loved the dry middle texture - it was firm and chewy. It was lightly seasoned and topped with Char Siu pork slices and spring onions. We had the dry noodles with their homemade mustard sauce, which made the noodle slightly spicy and added an extra layer of flavor. The yakitori (chicken skewer) had a smoky taste, though the meat was not super tender. The cheese burger was old school but tasty. The restaurant also sold turnovers with fruit fillings such as apple, peach, and coconut. We got some turnovers to go and they tasted great! The outside was super crispy and the filings inside had a generous portion of fruits. I didn't get a chance to snap a picture before they were gone. Overall, this is a great spot for noodles and comfort food! read more

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Definitely where the locals go for good brunch with Asian noodles and desserts. Try the Manju and turnovers all homemade and passed down recipes from original owners. Do take out if you can't wait, otherwise can get busy with 15-30 min wait depending on size of your party. Homey feel with good service! read more

More like 3.5 stars We went with the recommended classics all the way - dry noodles, beef skewers, and manju. The manju were great. I wish we had ordered more. I liked both the white bean (lima or shiro-an) and black bean (azuki) but the white was a little sweeter and creamier. The star, though, was the pastry crust, flaky, buttery, sweet, and crisp. The beef skewers were also excellent. Beautifully grilled, sweet but not cloyingly so, and served with a biting hot Chinese mustard that is reminiscent of what you used to get in old-school Chinese-American restaurants. Too bad the beef is too intense to make a meal of. Which leads us to... The famous dry mein. It's fair to say that I don't get their popularity. The noodles were clearly fresh but I was picking up an odd possibly alkaline taste. Maybe if the noodles were rinsed first? I'm just not sure. Other than that, I felt that the noodles were kind of blah. There was very little flavoring at all. I had read that the "secret seasoning" might include oyster sauce and soy sauce. In no way could I detect any hint of oyster sauce or much else, for that matter. It absolutely helped to either dip or dress the noodles with the provided cup of "dashi." I put dashi in quotes because it doesn't taste much like any dashi I've had in the past. This broth tasted more like a dilute chicken soup but it did add some needed salt to the noodles. The service was friendly and efficient and the decor reflects a casual, "We're a local institution" vibe. This is one of the few places I've eaten here where the majority of the clientele seemed to be locals, not tourists. My low rating reflects my disappointment with their signature dish. Despite this restaurant showing up on every "Best Of" list, I don't believe the noodles live up to the hype. Other dishes might be better. read more

Sam Sato's - Manju - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Yes, this is us eating saimen at 7:30 am on a Wednesday. Got seated right away but as we were leaving BIG line waiting. Nice little hole in the wall in the business district you would not expect there to be prob about the BEST homemade saimen I've had EVER. Couldn't help but get a shirt on our way out. read more

Sam Sato's - Saimen and a beef and chicken teri stick - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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First impression was that we were in the wrong place. Looked like a local crowd with a sort of divey vibe, BUT as soon as we sat down the waitress was extremely kind and welcoming. We ordered the three things everyone else said to get and were not disappointed: Manju, Banana Hot Cakes, and Dry Noodles. YUM! The dry noodles were a 10/10, hard to describe other than filling, yummy, and savory. The banana hot cakes were a 10 as well, perfect consistency, thickness and sweetness. They were better than the ones I had a Kihei Caffe. The manju was a 7/10 but still enjoyable and a new experience. It tasted like a short crust pastry with a bean filling that was good texture. The menu is what they have. If you see things online saying they have other food items other than what's on the menu (like we did) that is wrong. Great value, wish we had more breakfasts, but we discovered this late in our trip. Definitely going back. read more

Sam Sato's - Dry noodles - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

I was told that this was a place to go to when you're in Maui! I loved the yakitori chicken! The skin was cooked SO GOOD and it was reminded me of when get duck by how it looked. I went with a group and we did family style. We got the super dry saimin that had more toppings then the regular dry saimin and then we got the won ton min and that was good too! I like a lot of noodles and I like veggies and other fixings. Atmosphere - It is busy and it has that classic, local feeling place where people go to hang out and catch up on life. Service - Service was good, fast, and attentive! Cost - $12 - $16 depending on what you get, we did family style so you can try more and less costs. We did have left overs of both the won ton min AND saimin so we could have done one less dish :). Parking - They have their own lot that maybe fits around 8 cars so be aware of that. I don't recall if there is street parking, there might be. Location - It's in this industrial/business ish kind of area. At first, I was like where is this restaurant, in a warehouse? HAHA. They had pastries and manju (which we didn't try but someone did recommend to try it). I would definitely come here again! read more

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Sam Sato's is definitely a staple when visiting Maui. Located in a humble plaza, everyone that works here is so friendly and accommodating. They take care of you like they are your family and the food reflects the level of sincerity. The inside is very rustic and cozy. Enough to sit 5 or 6 families at most. The food is delicious regardless of what you get :) read more

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We stopped at Sam Sato's to get takeout for dinner. We ordered dry noodles, chow fun, won ton mein, and chicken yakitori. Unfortunately, we didn't really like any of the dishes except for the chicken yakitori. The chicken yakitori was delicious and far better than everything else. read more

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When we were seated, the table was cleared but it was still sticky. We had to ask the wait staff to please wipe the table. I received "rolling eyes..." I knew it was busy, but there's no excuse for rolling eyes. read more

TL;DR - don't miss out on this awesome fooooood spent most of my childhood and now my summers in maui, this is definitely one of my fav lunch places! - their noodles can't be beat (dry mein on top) & the staff is always SO kind oh my gosh - the portions are also such a bonus, i never leave feeling hungry - i like the family feeling inside the restaurant, not too cramped, but not too formal feeling i highly highly highly recommend. read more

Sam Sato's is a true Maui gem -- and 100% worth the wait! We'd heard great things about this local favorite, so we made sure to get there early -- and it's a good thing we did. We arrived about 15 minutes before opening on a Saturday, and there was already a line of loyal locals and in-the-know visitors forming outside. That alone told us we were in for something special. Once the doors opened, the service was quick and friendly, and the staff was clearly used to the steady flow of eager customers. The restaurant has a down-to-earth, homey feel, and you can tell it's been a staple in the community for a long time. There's nothing flashy about it -- and that's exactly the charm. As for the food? Incredible. I ordered the Loco Moco, the banana pancakes, and of course, their famous dry noodles -- and I genuinely can't pick a favorite because everything was so good. * The Loco Moco was everything you want it to be: comforting, rich, and flavorful with perfectly cooked rice, a juicy burger patty, and an egg with a golden runny yolk, all smothered in a savory brown gravy. It's the ultimate Hawaiian comfort food, and Sam Sato's does it right. * The banana pancakes were light, fluffy, and subtly sweet -- with real banana flavor, not that artificial taste you sometimes get elsewhere. No syrup needed (but it doesn't hurt either). A perfect way to balance out the savory dishes. * And the dry noodles... wow. Now I understand why everyone raves about them. They seem so simple, but they're packed with flavor and texture -- perfectly chewy noodles, a light yet savory sauce, and just the right amount of green onions and char siu to tie it all together. It's one of those dishes that you'll crave long after you leave the island. The portions are generous, prices are very reasonable, and the overall experience was one of the highlights of our trip. Whether you're a local or just visiting Maui, make sure Sam Sato's is on your list -- just don't forget to go early! Can't wait to return next time I'm on the island. Mahalo, Sam Sato's! read more

Sam Sato's - Lunch with the family 9/5/14 - Bakeries Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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I don't think this place every slows down! Mid week, after the lunch rush (or so we thought) and still a line. That shows me it's a popular place! Very popular with locals and their Ohana. Basic decor inside, nothing fancy. Comfortable, bustling--the staff is efficient and quick, but still make time for friendly help. We had the saimin and dry noodles. Oh so good! So much flavor in the dry noodles and the small bowl of broth was a nice add on. Hubby loved his saimin. He ordered Chow Fun to go but, alas, they had already run out. We ordered Manju to go on the way out. Perfect with our afternoon tea! Just an FYI, Sam Sato's is a lunch place and open only until 2 PM. Make sure you go! read more