Tanaka Saimin

158

167

285

4 years ago

First time back here since they opened. I really didn't think it was anything special back then. Today I order the Tanaka Saimin which is a won ton mein with a side of teri beef, fried chicken and mac salad for $15. It still wasnt extra special, but the food was good and portion size was just right. They have a big menu, i might be back again to try something else. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Terry K.

Elite 26 All-Star

682

1883

16467

7 years ago

OKAY!!! This update is long overdue as I've been back to Tanaka Saimin a number of times since my review in 2012. Those who know me will attest that I am a creature of habit. That said, I've been back to dine at Tanaka and ate the same exact dishes as I had on my visit in 2012. The wun tun min combo made a 110% improvement. For the record, they have (5) wun tun in the bowl (compared to the 2 back in 2012). In any case and suffice to say the combo meal was pretty decent. So decent that my lunch partner was glad to select the same thing rather than his club sandwich meal. The service was great and the establishment is clean so what more can I ask for? If I had to criticize, I'd say the parking could use some improvement but then, isn't parking a problem no matter where? Food, Service= Much improvement. Give them a try read more

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Doug L.

2 years ago

My new "go to" for comfort food. Best deal on the Island. Big portions, daily specials, and staff here is always super friendly. Usually a wait during peak hours. The roast pork is awesome but pretty much everything here is good! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Roast Pork w/ Fried Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Mike K.

277

368

4 years ago

Had never been to Tanaka since it opened. What a eye opener. Thought it would be much like Blvd, but it's much more. The place is huge, very clean, nice bathrooms, and a lot more parking then I heard about. About the food, we went kinda early but opted for lunch cause, eggs is eggs, y'know? We had a "Tanaka" saimin, a yakitori plate, and a saimin burger combo. Real old school huh? Everyone was very happy with what they had. My "Tanaka" was very good, and hella filling. It's a large won ton min, with choi sum, a generous dollop of char siu, tender Teri beef strips, a shrimp (like old okazu sweet potato tempura), and a scoop of Mac/potato salad. Nice. The yakitori was described as being reminiscent of New Eagle/Cafe Flamingo like. And the "small" Won Ton Min/burger combo did in the Mrs. said she was just expecting a plain burger but it was a loaded deluxe. Too bad we didn't go here sooner, it's now THE place. One last thing, sounds minor but... they give a generous amount of hot mustard with the noodle bowls. Not the tiny dollop you sometimes get at places. It's enough that when you add the soy, you can actually get some in your saimin spoon as opposed to just wetting the bottom of the spoon cause there's such a manini amount. read more

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Brian M.

677

596

3753

7 years ago

I'm going to have to minus a star and make this restaurant a 3. I remember why I didn't want to come back to eat here, it was because of the Saimin. So for this venture here I decided to give their Saimin another try. The Tanaka Special Saimin comes with a side of Teri beef, Salad and a piece of Shrimp Tempura. Well as if this wasn't Deja Vu again the noodles were on the soft over cooked side and even tho there was steam coming from the bowl the broth temperature to me wasn't hot enough. Maybe because it's a thin noodle, but it just brought back memories of the first time I ate it. Sorry Tanaka's I'm just sticking to your other dishes and hopefully bring back that extra Star. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Adobo Fried Rice - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka's Special Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Jason A.

164

1 year ago

Go to place with the family. Wait is never too long, good variety of food, great service and reasonable prices.

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Gina H.

245

2 years ago

Excellent service, fast, friendly. All kinds of food!!! I love their SAIMIN and Rib eye Steak !!! So delicious!!! You will be back more than twice. Highly recommend!!! read more

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Greg S.

Elite 24

121

146

4 years ago

Surprising good. Ordered the Oxtail soup and sizzling rib steak. Staff super duper friendly Reasonable price Short wait for a table * now the parking. It's ok but I feel like I've been lucky each time I go to that lot - but there is parking and if in a bind, you can park next door (hardware store) read more

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Crisselda Marie A.

Elite 22

3 years ago

Stopped in for brunch on the way to the airport Tanaka Saimin was good broth was flavorful and the noodles and won tun was perfectly cooked. The Saimin came with a side of Mac salad, shrimp tempura and teri beef. The shrimp tempura was huge but mainly batter. I also got the mixed plate it came out cold. If we weren't in a rush to get to the airport I would have sent it back. Service was a bit slow and they weren't too busy. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Mix plate (fried noodles, rice, hamburger and crispy shoyu chicken) & Tanaka Saimin - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Andrea O.

132

356

893

7 years ago

Was on the hunt for dinner and since the bf and I have never been before we decided to give Tanaka Saimin a try. Upon entering I was surprised to see how large this restaurant was. It was a busy night but we didn't have to wait for seating. Pro's : Not a touristy spot, not having to wait and the food was good. The serving portions are generous, and prices aren't too steep we both left nice and full. The food was tasty & they had the food network channel playing which i was watching while I scarfed down my Teri beef. And crinkle fries... enough said Cons: The service wasn't terrible but our waitress was either tired and didn't feel like being hospitable or just not the nicest. I wasn't a fan of the iceberg salad but my bf loves it so I just passed off my salad to him. Would I recommend to a friend if they asked for something to eat in that area? Sure Would I come again? Maybe if someone really wanted to , and if they drove me and paid for it. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Teriyaki Beef and the Mixed plate - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - French Fries - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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San S.

203

502

4 years ago

Food is good, service is good (If you don't mind old school roughness, but nice... I'm used to it. I know some people don't like it). The way they packed the escargot was substandard, not really acceptable. They should've put the escargot in a leakproof container like beef stew. The melted butter was nonexistent bc the container and the toasted (Now soggy) bread soaked some of it. This was the first time they packed it like this. Usually they put it in the leakproof container. I really want to deduct another star, but I like the old school roughness personality I miss so much. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Mixed / combo plate. Shrimp omelette and shrimp tempura. Double fried Saimin!!! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - GARLIC rib eye, only on sundays. DOUBLE friend Saimin!!! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Escargot the container soaked most of the butter and the toasted, now soggy bread did the rest. Was unappealing. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Mixed plate shrimp omelette and shrimp tempura with double fried Saimin. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Mixed plate shrimp omelette (Super ono) and hamburger steak (So so. Was dry and hard). Fried Saimin 2x - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Chopped steak 2 sides. Mashed potatoes and fried Saimin. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Irene T.

144

594

4 years ago

My favorite spot for Saimin, I like their cold noodle when it's hot! Everything I've gotten here has been really good and flavorful. There can be a bit of a wait during dinner so put your name down when you arrive. The wait is worth it and food is very reasonably priced! read more

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Kaitlin S.

2 years ago

I was in search for a good Chicken papaya soup and someone recommended me to try this place. It was so delicious and hit the spot! Soup base was amazing and chicken was flavorful. And they added lots of papaya with veggies! I used to always order their saimin when I was younger, so this place gets 5 stars for me! Great service and excellent food! read more

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Angie M.

Elite 24

193

188

4 years ago

We used to always go go Dillingham Saimin and preferred the relaxing and casual environment over there compared to Tanaka's. Since Dillingham Saimin closed and we missed the classics, we decided to give Tanaka Saimin another go. In the past we had some issues with food quality and service but the improvement since then has excelled our expectations! Note that some nights will be crazy slammed but you might get lucky! Recommend getting there either before or after the lunch and dinner rush hours :) read more

Tanaka Saimin - Prime Rib - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Wun Tun Min, French Fries, Cheeseburger - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Erin Clara L.

1 year ago

We have been coming here since they opened, we know the servers and staff like they're family. The food is always yummy, consistent and filling. Whenever we want a great meal, we come here for our comfort food. The staff is welcoming and the place is comfortable and family friendly. Love this place. read more

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James M.

198

289

8535

7 years ago

Tanaka Saimin is located on Nimitz Hwy, just next door to La Tour. They serve some of the best local comfort food and I am a big fan. The parking can be a challenge but just park in the Lowes parking lot and walk over. Sometimes you have to wait for a booth. But, most of the time you can get in pretty quickly. I love sitting in a booth and enjoying a big bowl of Saimin with a piece of beef teriyaki. I really like the broth and the consistency and amount of won ton. The won ton wrapper is a bit thicker, but I like it. The menu is extensive, with so many options. I like the Prime rib on Friday nights, the mixed plate, and the burgers are amazing as well. I never leave without having the Guava pie or the Lilikoi ki chiffon pie. I heard the fried ice is the bomb as well. Service is always top notch, all the servers are always helpful and accommodating. One of my go to places and I will certainly be back. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Inside seating area - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Mixed plate - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Yum - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Specials today - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Prime rib sandwich and onion soup - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Guava pie, highly recommended - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Prime rib special - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Weekend specials - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Today's specials - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Raeann Y.

460

1476

5 years ago

My child and other kids in the family love this place lol. Updating my previous review to add some pics. Service is good and the food is pretty quick. They found out it was my aunty's birthday today so they gave her a complimentary scoop of ice cream with a candle, so cute! Everyone in the restaurant sang to her happy birthday too, what a nice way to end the year. read more

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Chelsey T.

291

280

1355

5 years ago

Tanaka Saimin is one of the last "supah" local dine in places in town on the island. Parking in front, but check out the signs to make sure you are in the right vendor spot. Spaces are all marked. Park in the right place. As you walk in, sign in to the left and wait to be called upon. The usual Covid checks happen and then you are seated. The menu has some great local favorites. My husband usually gets the Tanaka Saimin which comes with side of tempura, Mac salad, and Teri beef. I like the two choice with beef stew and the Roast pork. Make sure you get that gravy for the Roast pork, it's sooooooo dang good! Yum!!!! Service is good (depending who you get of course). Very quick dine in usually. They get quite busy at dinner time, so go early! read more

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Melissa C.

122

283

5 years ago

Tanaka Saimin hasn't changed. Pretty ho-hum breakfast, and not cheap! I don't think we will be returning any time soon. We haven't eaten here for a awhile, and now I remember why. We walk in for breakfast yesterday, and the elderly hostess was a little too anal about making sure our vaccination card matched our I.D.s, as well as our temperature checks at the door. My husband made a comment under his breath about this whole production at the door before you can even be seated. Funny, she sat another couple after us and took their temperature after they were sat already....what if god forbid that couple had Covid, and now they were already walked across the restaurant and sat down!! Please be consistent in being anal about Covid at the door! Next, my husband and daughter both ordered chicken and waffles for breakfast. It took forever! My omelet came out before their meals. Upon putting the butter on my daughters waffle, I noticed it didn't melt into the waffle, same as my husbands. That was because it was hardly warm. The fried chicken was scorching! No refills on coffee, by the way. I had to ask. So the waitress finally comes to ask how was everything was after we ask her for the check, and we make a comment on the waffles and how the butter didn't even melt and she tells us the waffles are toaster style and made before the fried chicken. WTH!? The hostess is very friendly to everyone leaving, saying good-bye, I wonder why we didn't even get a thank you walking out the door from her? She looked right at me on the way out, could it be she didn't like our under the breath comment about her Covid attitude at the door when we came in? This morning we went the waitress's weren't that friendly, the hostess was ridiculous with her Covid check and really, the food wasn't that great for the price. I think its time to take a break from good 'ole Tanaka's. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Poor butter can't melt on a hardly lukewarm waffle! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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A C.

102

3 years ago

Food: tasty & huge portions. Service: Quick and straightforward. Ambiance: Very comforting, on the old fashion side. Wish there was more light thru the big windows up front but, all the rolled screens were rolled down. read more

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Michael T.

289

4 years ago

Was seeking a saimin place after visiting the nearby Best Buy. This turned out to be a great restaurant! I visited with my brother on a Friday night. It took about 10-15 minutes to be seated. If you don't want to wait they offer take-out as well. There's a lot of variety on the menu besides saimin, such as steak or burgers (we walked by a table that got the steak and it smelled really good). But so far I've only tried the Tanaka Saimin. It comes with wun tun min, teri beef slice, shrimp tempura, and mac potato or toss green salad. We both enjoyed the meal! The serving was also large. My brother didn't finish the whole saimin bowl, and we both didn't finish the sides. Ended up taking it to go! For the price I was happy with what we got. I also liked that this had a nice local feel, and the waitresses were very friendly. Parking was a little weird, the lot is a one-way so you need to enter on Nimitz Hwy. If you enter on Alakawa St, you might need to go through the alleyway to loop to the other side? read more

Tanaka Saimin - Indoor dining - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Jocelyn H.

Elite 25

130

2 years ago

Huge menu. Had the beef stew. It was better than Zippy's but not the best. Also had their pies which were excellent. Parking a little tricky and tight. read more

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Porsche S.

429

5444

7 years ago

Great customer service, affordable prices, mediocre food. Ok we all love a good saimin restaurant with different plate lunch options. It's basically Hawaii in a nutshell. However, you know the quality of food when you place your order and get it five minutes later. I'm pretty sure that's a record for a sit down restaurant. The food is tasteless and seems like a microwave meal. It's a good portion size for the price that you are paying but it's just bland. Not a place that I would choose to visit again. Maybe next time I should just stick with the saimin since that's what their name indicates is their specialty. Parking can be tricky and hard to come by. It is a shared parking lot with la tour and party city. They only have a few stalls reserved for the restaurant and the rest down the lane towards 7-11 are all reserved. Don't make the mistake of skipping stalls at the beginning because you won't be able to park at the end. Lunch time is the most busy and you probably won't be able to find parking. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Teri beef and beef stew mixed plate with mash and mac - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Chicken katsu hamburger steak mixed plate with fried saimin and rice - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Side fries - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Crab, spinach, and mozzarella omelette special - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Pancakes - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Kyle S.

215

474

7 years ago

I've been here a few times but have not written a review. I usually get a type of Saimin so I can't say much about how their other dishes are. This last time I got the Tanaka Saimin which is a large won tun min, shrimp tempura and teriyaki beef. You also get a choice of potato mac salad or tossed greens. I wanted to be semi-healthy so got lettuce! That makes my dinner low-carb right? Ha ha. For $13.25 as of February 2020, it is a good deal considering one bowl of ramen can cost that much. Granted this isn't on the quality level of ramen, just simple local comfort food and a good deal for amount of food. The Saimin had a good amount of won ton which had good flavor, vegetables which I always welcome, fish cake, green onions, char siu, and nori. The problem I had was the noodles were a little overcooked and too mushy for my liking. I like them to be more al dente. The tempura was big and had enough shrimp that I could still taste it even with the thick batter. The teriyaki beef had good sweet and salty flavor, no complaints! It's more bold local style than subtle traditional Japanese teriyaki. Overall a good comfort meal and I'd happily order this again the next time. If they can cook the noodles less I'd bump up my rating. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka Saimin - large won tun min, shrimp tempura, teriyaki beef and tossed green salad (instead of potato mac) - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Johanna S.

245

3 years ago

Fast and pleasant food service. Waitress helped pick items from memu. Food is soooo bombastic! We are very happy & satisfied. Thank you Tanaka's! " read more

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Claire H.

298

1351

4 years ago

We haven't eaten here in a long time. I was craving their teri beef sandwich so here we are. We came for early lunch and didn't have to wait long for a table. Service was prompt and friendly. My son ordered the hamburger and saimin combo. We thought the hamburger was going to be a small burger (McDonald's size) but it was actually a regular burger and the saimin was a nice size small. Other son ordered a teri burger with a side of kimchi... we weren't sure if they'd actually do it but they knew exact what he wanted and my son wolfed it down as soon as the plate was in front of him. Waitress filled drinks promptly. Food is good and service is great! We will be back! read more

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Robert D.

2 years ago

Don't let a review steer you away from here! This place is simply delicious. The decor accompanies the food perfectly. Great people watching and outstanding service. Overall one of the very best read more

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Patti L.

119

114

3 years ago

The food is always good and reasonably priced. It's good old comfort food. The portions are big and worth it. There's lots of variety but my favorites are the Cheeseburger Combo and the Shrimp Tempura. read more

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Kehaulani V.

3 years ago

Food and service was good. It was a busy day Dec. 26. The wait time went fast. Wish they made handmade hamburger paddy, instead of pre box hamburger paddy. I had hamburger plate with mash & mac salad. Love the gravy, it was tasty. read more

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R F.

102

5 years ago

2/16/22 Tanaka saimin This place still doing it right, clean, sanitation great, great service, parking not so good. We had the braised short ribs so delicious one of my favorite meals for lunch or dinner in Honolulu. you must try it so ONO !!!! just to let you know its a special only on Wednesdays, Also the Ono tasty oxtail stew only on Tuesday yum!!!! .. read more

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Anika Shanelle M.

Elite 23

348

162

4 years ago

Always a joy coming here for a quick, simple bite to eat! My fiancé and I love coming here, especially because it reminds us of just simple, local-style food! Food is always reminding us of home, and tastes amazing all the time! This time, my fiancé ordered the calf lifer (lol random meal), and I ordered the Chinese chicken salad. We also ordered a large wun tun min to share. He really liked his calf liver, and my salad was good (not overpowering on the dressing). The saimin was also very nice and a good way to end our meal. Our waiter was this local Asian man that made our meal extra enjoyable! I wish I got his name. We didn't order dessert, but our favorite is alway the fried tempura ice cream! Restaurant is always super clean, and relatively busy (try to go off peak hours). It's a really good place to go for groups since parking is pretty open for the most part! read more

Tanaka Saimin - Chinese Chicken Salad, Calf Liver with Bacon and Onion, and Wun Tun Min (large) - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Susan B.

288

982

7 years ago

The menu has various combinations to choose from and price is right. The volume of their foods is huge, we can't finish our meal. Service is friendly and quick to serve. They also had a group having birthday dinners too! My apology in advance of my photo a bit messy forgot to take photo we was so hungry. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka's Combo: macapotato salad, fried noodles, rice,Yakitori chicken and shrimp tempura - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Fefe J.

3 years ago

The last time I went here was a few years ago. It hasn't changed in a sense that they still have good customer service and ono foods. The design and feel of the place reminds of the old school saimin restaurants, which, if you're from Hawaii, is absolutely not a bad thing at all. They have a variety of saimins and the option of changing your noodle. I love the variety of comforting Hawaii foods, including the desserts. They have daily specials. If you want their special of the day, I highly recommend going early because they sell out. read more

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Nanea L.

951

925

1984

5 years ago

I'm OBSESSED with Tanaka Saimin and take EVERYONE here lol. It's a local spot that has local dishes/plate lunch type of vibe. Everything is good here and everything comes out really quick. The staff are so sweet, gracious, and kind. Their breakfast menu especially always hits and a favorite of mine is the Koreanmoco! YUM YUM! read more

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conglomerate r.

1 year ago

The desserts were good but the entre... oh boy. I ordered the Loco Moco cause i'm a loco guy and I specifically asked for NO ONIONS. They the. proceeded to give me a truckload of onions and a WHOLE WEDGE. I had a seizure and almost died. Worst service ever. I also asked for my egg to be over easy case i love the goey goodness. They gave it to me OVER HARD. read more

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Pauline-Lobendahn L.

154

3 years ago

Oxtail soup still under $20. Had they're chicken papaya soup and it was good. Love to see a lot of local families. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Chicken papaya soup was good. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Amy K.

333

2 years ago

Tanaka saimin has great service, with hard awesome servers like Jas. The food is good and the banana cream pie is the best in the world!

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Gail U.

Elite 26 All-Star

684

2273

45801

7 years ago

Every time I come, which isn't too often, it gets better and better. On this particular nite we had a cute, spunky waitress with a biunce in her step. Always smiling and efficient. You know how some places the teri items are either hard or too salty? Not here. I ordered a combo teri beef and yeri pork. Both were tender, flavorful and a generous serving. I was able to take home andcit made a deliciouscsandwich the next day between 2 pieces of DK bread spread with a dab of maui and sime rimaine lettuce. It tasted just as hood or even better the next day. Loved the sauce they seasoned the meat in. The macaroni potato salad was ok. Left contently full. Found a parking stall steps away from their door. The service and the seasoning was spot on. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Wait, don't take the menu yet... - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Tempura ice cream sounds good - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Pre meal - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Outside, this restaurant has lots of parking spaces with La Tour compared to many other businesses. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Whoa, bambucha! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - There's a glaze and cinnamon on top. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - The waitress said "cut em down the middle, das how." - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Eat fast so can use Party Pass for Chef Flynn - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Curry - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanaka Saimin - Italian sausage spaghetti - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Kurtis F.

Elite 23

126

4 years ago

First off, I love saimin and was searching for the best saimin restaurants on the island. I saw this restaurant while I was getting gas across the street and decided to test it out. On a positive note, the venue is clean and spacious, and our server was extremely nice. Now to the saimin. The flavor of the wun tun min is pretty standard in my opinion. The flavors weren't bad, but I was expecting more for the price that we paid. I visited four other saimin establishments on the island the same week and felt like we got the least amount of noodles here. I was full after eating just the large wun tun min at the other restaurants, but I was actually still hungry after eating a large wun tun min and the teriyaki beef, mac salad, and fried shrimp here at Tanaka's. The rest of my family was still hungry after eating their dishes, so we ended up going to 7-11 right after to buy some spam musubis. I would give it a second shot if I hear that Tanaka's has any positive changes. read more

Tanaka Saimin - Tanaka Saimin, Teriyaki Beef Saimin, Oxtail Saimin, won Wun Tun Min - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Page 7 of 33

888 N Nimitz Hwy
Ste 103
Honolulu, HI 96817
Directions
(808) 524-2020
Call Now
Visit Website
https://tanakasaimin.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Tanaka Saimin open?

Tanaka Saimin opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Tanaka Saimin close?

Tanaka Saimin closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Tanaka Saimin closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 7:00 AM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Tanaka Saimin take credit cards?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Tanaka Saimin have catering options?

No, Tanaka Saimin does not have catering options.

Does Tanaka Saimin have a happy hour?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin has a happy hour.

Does Tanaka Saimin serve alcohol?

No, Tanaka Saimin does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Tanaka Saimin allow dogs?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin allows dogs.

Does Tanaka Saimin have TVs?

No, Tanaka Saimin does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Tanaka Saimin have bike parking?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin has bike parking.

Does Tanaka Saimin have outdoor seating?

No, Tanaka Saimin does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Tanaka Saimin have parking?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Tanaka Saimin wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Tanaka Saimin is wheelchair accessible.

Does Tanaka Saimin have free WiFi?

No, Tanaka Saimin does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Special Hours, Health Score

Tanaka Saimin Reviews in Other Languages

Japanese
5 Reviews

Ask the Community - Tanaka Saimin

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Fun Station

4.5(703 reviews)

4.3 mi

I came here maybe 5-6 years ago when they first opened, mainly to try their famous "flying…read morenoodles," which were such a trend back then. Honestly, everything was just okay--nothing really stood out to me--so we never came back. Over the years, though, I kept hearing friends talk about this place and say it was one of their favorite Chinese restaurants. I was still not convinced... and then my husband started hearing the same thing from more and more people. So, here I am, finally giving them another try! And WOW... the menu has changed and expanded so much since the last time I was here. There are so many more options now, and everything we ordered was flavorful and tasty. The portions are HUGE, and you can definitely tell they don't skimp on the ingredients, produce, or seasoning. We ordered the salted egg chicken wings and the stir-fried ong choy--both were really good! The drinks were also tasty, although they were a little not sweet enough for me, But I'd definitely order one again when I'm feeling healthier. Where have I been all these years?! ‍ This place has officially become one of my favorite spots for Chinese food. Sometimes you really do have to give a place a second chance!

You could drive past this place a hundred times without giving it a second thought. It's tucked…read moreinto a small strip mall, the dining room is no frills and if someone told me it was just another average neighborhood Chinese restaurant, I'd probably believe them. Then the food starts arriving. We ordered way more than we needed and almost everything impressed me. The chow fun was cooked exactly the way I like it. Chewy, smoky and never overcooked. My only complaint was that it leaned a little saltier than I prefer, but it was still very good. The Hainan chicken was the surprise of the meal. Perfectly tender with an incredible ginger sauce that I'd happily put on just about anything. Even the dishes I normally avoid won me over. I've never been much of a lotus root person, but theirs was crisp, savory and honestly delicious. The wontons were another highlight. Since we skipped the noodles, they generously gave us extra wontons instead, which was a really thoughtful touch. What really pushed this place from good to memorable, though, was the staff. We were there with our two and four year old and they couldn't have been kinder. They brought over little toys to keep the kids occupied, checked on us throughout the meal and made us feel genuinely welcome. None of it felt forced. It was just warm, thoughtful hospitality and that's something I always remember long after I've forgotten exactly what I ate. The bathroom situation isn't ideal, you have to use the one outside the restaurant, but that's really my only complaint beyond the slightly salty chow fun. This isn't the place I'd recommend for date night or a long evening out. It's the kind of neighborhood restaurant you walk into expecting very little, then leave thinking, that was a lot better than it had any right to be. We'll definitely be back.

Inside the restaurant.....

Choi Sum & Beef Cake Noodle

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Lamb Bricket Tendon Clay Pot

Marugame Udon

4.5(14.2k reviews)

4.0 mi•Waikiki

Fast lines, great food, close to a shopping mall, ice machine dont work sometimes, I go here at…read moreleast once a month with my buddy and it gets better every time. Great spot if you're looking for a place to fill you up for a cheap price.

I was hesitant to try this since there is one near me and I don't like that location. This one…read morethough was much better. The noodles are cooked well and not soggy. Tempura is fresh since they have constant turnover. Good amount of seating inside, however there are some flies since the door is always open.

You can watch as they make your food!

Kake Udon

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Dining Room!

Wuwei Chong Qing Cuisine

4.3(216 reviews)

2.9 mi

Nice little spot on king st across the Zippy's corporate building. Delicious Chinese, Szechuan type…read moreof cuisine with noodle and rice offerings. I had their pig trotter noodles and the double fried pork noodles with bell peppers! Such great flavors, they really have the sauce down. Must try is the double fried pork noodles with bell peppers. Both pictures were taken after a few bites! I'll be back to try the other items!

Authentic Chong Qing style noodles - really worth to give it a try. Some hopefully helpful tips:…read more1. The noodles only have one size but it's pretty large. Depending on your appetite, two ladies could possibly share. We ordered 2 and it was enough for 3 people to share. 2. Since we do not eat anything spicy, we asked for non-spicy from the get-go at ordering. The owner was able to accommodate. 3. Parking is street parking only but readily available fronting the restaurant. 4. The restaurant space is rather small, so it gets busy during meal time. We often take out by ordering ahead of time.

Unique cr code menu

泡椒鸭爪米线（Duck Feet Rice Noodle）Added Duck Blood (good!! Nice numbing and spicy)

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Pork with green peppers and fried egg

Mian & Bao

4.3(324 reviews)

2.2 mi•Ala Moana

Ward Centre closed down along with multiple businesses…read more Before they closed their doors, I ate at Mian & Bao. My friend and I ordered their fried chicken cutlet, beef pancake rolls, Chengdu dan dan noodles, signature beef fried rice, pan fried pork buns, and pan fried chicken dumplings. The fried chicken cutlet was okay. The side of mayo and sweet chili helped but it was too dry. It would have been better if the chicken cutlet was juicy. The Chengdu Dan Dan noodles which had the ground beef, green onions and spice sauce in the bottom. Mixing this dish before eating was pretty good. The spice made this simple noodles dish, better. My favorites were the beef pancake rolls, and pan fried pork buns. The beef pancake rolls were sliced beef with cucumbers rolled up in a thin wrap. I liked how crispy the wraps were. They were thick and great as a sharing appetizer. The pan fried pork buns weren't full of soup-goodness but it was still fire. The crispy sides from the pan and the great pork flavor. So, good. The service was very nice and refilled our waters. Sad that they had to close down but they were be merging with Chengdu Taste in July.

Wife and I had a late lunch at Mian & Bao…read more Service was fast with no frills. We were seated quickly and ordered via app at the table. We enjoyed shrimp long bao and the fried chicken cutlets with house made mayo. I was surprised that they didn't have steamed rice available on the day but didn't miss it enough to pay up for the shrimp fried rice plate. The bao was served boiling hot and was tasty and soupy. The cutlets were nicely cooked: golden brown and delicious. When I asked to use facilities, I was directed to the bathroom in the strip mall behind the restaurant. Food court vibes. Still I'd come back again if I was in the area for a fast, affordable, tasty meal.

Newbie in the former Peso location

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Lam's Kitchen

4.4(660 reviews)

0.8 mi•Chinatown

Living on Maui, one of my favorite noodle dishes is chow fun…read more The child phone beef dish here made Maui chow look like dog poop. My girlfriend ordered the Singapore bitter melon doodle dish, and it was crazy fantastic. The melon was bitter...It was an odd flavor... But new to my pallete. Once I added hoisin sauce, it took it to the next level. I don't think I could go here every week, because the flavors would probably blend together... But once a month, 100% I am hitting this place. If you're in the area, you need to make it a point to come here. Service was on point.

FIRST time customer - Growing up only 2 blocks away from this location 70 years ago I vividly…read morerecall walking with my POPO and mother headed into Chinatown to spend the morning shopping at the open MARKET and after to have LUNCH at either Char Hun Sut and or Tin Tin - Our favorite order was soup'n noodles , a steaming HOT bowl of "Won Ton Mein" and or "Wor Won Ton Mein" - Mmmmm - After the KAPOLEI Chinese restaurant in KAPOLEI "closed" so abruptly and PERMANENTLY I was shocked and extremely UPSET since very few "old school" Chinese restaurants here on Oahu still cook the type of dishes that my CANTONESE pallet craves and savors - Still reeling from this loss and desperate to satisfy my hunger for just a DELICIOUS bowl of "Won Ton Mein" - So desperate for this specific cuisine I went on line searching "YELP" to search for a recommendation and came across this restaurant "Lam's Kitchen" - I drove from my home in EWA Beach (West Loch Fairways Townhomes) into Chinatown in the old RIVER STREET neighborhood hoping that this restaurant would have something that would satisfy my desperate craving for a great bowl of "Won Ton Mein". I arrived at noon and was very lucky to find a metered parking spot across from the restaurant on the very first try - As I entered I noticed that the room was very crowded and that here was only ONE open table so I sat down immediately and ordered the "Won Ton Mein" as the waitress approached me with a menu - I have to note that although this restaurant was located inside of a very old building the interior was a very sharp contrast - Everything appeared fresh and modern with very basic hand built picnic type bench seating and dining tables constructed of varnished raw wood (very spartan but practical and comfortable) - The bowl of soup was of average size and appeared very sparse with not much color - There was "NO" Pork Char Sui slices, only steaming hot clear chicken broth, a clump of thin Vermicelli white opaque noodles accompanied with a few small pieces of both chopped Mustard, Napa Cabbages and slivers of Green Onions - Extremely simple and basic. There were exactly "4" individual Won Ton that were filled with a tiny chunk of SHRIMP mixed into minced PORK HASH and regular spices (basic Soy sauce and Sesame Oil) - The "won ton PI" was very thin and light and the saimin noodles were made of the same Rice Flour mixture also - The broth was hot and savory but nothing special only because it was so "bland" to the taste. Although the restaurant was crowded to its Maximum Capacity within 15 minutes of my arrival it had practically "emptied itself out" with only myself a one other table of 6-dinners getting their food too. I will probably return to eat at this restaurant if and when I get another pressing urge to satisfy one of my insatiable cravings to drive all across Oahu from EWA Beach to Chinatown in the city of Honolulu . The "PLUS" about this visit is that it was clean and the service was average but not disappointingly "long" despite how busy and crowded the entire restaurant was when I first arrived

So clean and spacious

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Seasons Taiwanese Eatery

4.5(292 reviews)

0.8 mi•Chinatown

By far my favorite Taiwanese go to restaurant!…read more I highly recommend their popcorn chicken, so crispy, so juicy and the leaves not sure if they were basil or sobering else but the way they fry them and get them to also be super crispy is amazing. It's also seasoned perfectly, not too salty and you can add a level of spicy to your liking.

09.02.2026 @ 5:59pm…read more Walk in and placed order of fried chicken wings, pan fried dumplings and a beef noodle to go. The lady service whom took my order was sweet, friendly and gave recommendations. The wings was good with the recommendation of spicy level 1. Perfect for those that can't really take spicy. The beef noodle. Beef was soft and soup base was flavorful and had the spicy mala chili on the side. The pan fried dumplings was ok. I believe it would be a 4 star if we would have stay and eat in as of course anything take-out is not as fresh (especially for crispy foods)

Inside

11. Classic Beef and Tendon Noodle

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New location is around the corner, towards the canal.

Shima Dreams Of Noodles

4.6(7 reviews)

1.8 mi•Kaka'ako

About 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, there was already a line of people placing their order for fresh…read morepulled noodles. We were told that the first batch would be served about 11 a.m. so we quickly put our order in. The first thing that caught my attention, was the savory aroma of their 5-spice ground pork being cooked. You can add this as a topping to the noodle dish. The second thing that caught my attention, was the labor of love going in to each order of fresh pulled noodles. You can watch him stretch the dough ball and slap it on the counter before he boils each batch with careful preparation. The third thing that caught my attention, was their adorable mother, helping to slice the cucumbers and top each dish with crushed iso peanuts. Do not forget to order the side of pickled bittermelon....so good!! From beginning to end, this was an incredible experience of all my senses! To see and hear them at work and then to taste the delicious sesame sauce on the fresh pulled noodles....WOW! The soft noodles, the crisp bittermelon, and the savory sauce....super delish! Seriously, go early to place your order. The wait is totally worth it :) Will come back next time to try other menu items.

Shima Dreams of Noodles is a pop-up, located at Fishcake -…read more This place supposedly has a huge following, and people anticipate for the changing menu of various noodle dishes. When we went, the menu focused on udon: +Hot Yamakake Udon with Quail Egg (a special) +Cold Yamakake Udon (a special) +Hot Udon +Cold Udon The special udon dishes are servied with tororo (grated mountain yam), housemade tsukudani (seaweed braised in a sweet Japanese sauce), crispy nori, green onions, and an option to add wasabi. We went for both the hot and cold udon specials - I think it was a consensus that we would have liked to have more noodles in the dish. This is definitely a sweeter dish, with the tororo and the tsukudani. The place already had a long line, and the best way to enjoy would be to dine-in. Note that if you do order a carry-out, the quail egg would not be included. +ordering online is available +changing menu of noodle dishes +popup at Fishcake

Making fresh udon noodles!

Fresh pulled noodles with sesame sauce, 5 spice ground pork, and side of pickled bittermelon, so yum!

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Noods Ramen Bar

4.3(681 reviews)

5.4 mi

Locally owned & operated

Established in 2020

Gotta admit that I didn't have ramen..but my friend did and thoroughly enjoyed it. I opted for…read moresharing gyoza (got both the fried and the steamed) plus the dynamite-sauced shrimp tempura. I ordered seconds on the yummy tempura. Will definitely have ramen next time...so many options!

3 and a half stars really... Full disclosure, I ordered…read morethrough Door Dash. My food was delivered with 20 minutes, which is incredibly speedy! The flavor of my creamy garlic shoyu ramen was fine. Nothing special, but good enough. However, it was cold (not room-temperature. Cold!) and there was very little of it. "Lazy tax" aside, I could've had a much tastier and more satisfying meal for way less if I had just added some veggies and (very) little meat to a pot of Sapporo noodles prepared at home. I understand times are hard, especially for small businesses, in this economy but pouring more broth would've made a big difference. Even if I had to po it in the microwave myself.

Seating area

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Tonkotsu ramen

Onoya Ramen

This place really tasted like a little piece of Japan! The ramen noodles were nice and chewy and…read morecooked al dente, exactly how I like my ramen. The broth was clean and flavorful, and there was a good amount of noodles. They have a lunch special every day from 11 AM to 2 PM. We ordered the lunch special and added two side dishes for only $3 more. Our total was just $18, which I thought was a great deal. The chicken karaage tasted really fresh and had good flavor. The beef was also very flavorful. The gyoza were just okay--not bad, but nothing special. Service was good and our food came out pretty quickly. I'd definitely come back here again for lunch. For the price, I think it's a great little spot for a quick and satisfying ramen lunch.

This is a small restaurant with issues with food temperature. Three stars because of food…read moretemperature and cooking issues and employees arguing with us. Note: there is an A/C on the wall that is facing the kitchen, it blows directly on the table. Everyone that came in moved from the table. We asked if we could adjust the wall unit, she said no. We waited and moved tables. Beer: We ordered pitcher of draft beer. It was good. Food: Then we started off with gyoza. The gyoza was full of flavor and tasty but the edges were burnt. We ordered Soyu noodles and the spicy tonkotsu noodles. The Soyu noodles arrived early. The initial appearance the egg was overcooked. Took a bite and the egg was stone cold and the broth was lukewarm. Eventually the spicy tonkotsu arrived and I don't mind it arriving later because I want my noodles hot. The egg in tonkotsu is as also stone cold and overcooked. My broth was hot and flavorful. The food has good flavor but some dishes are hot and some are lukewarm. Service: The server eventually came back and asked what was wrong with the Soyu ramen because my husband barely touched it. He said the egg was cold and the broth was lukewarm. They said the egg is supposed to be cold. We explained we have been to Japan and I grew up in Japan and explained that is not how ramen is served in Japan. They came back and said the manager was made aware of the ramen. The server then said many customers complain the broth is not hot enough. I explained if you are aware of this issues, fix it or you will go out of business. Cleanliness: average Bathroom cleanliness: bathroom needs attention below average. Sadly this is our last time here. Quality control issues that staff and managers are aware and have not corrected.

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Vegan Black Ramen... Noodle pull

Mian - Honolulu

4.2(523 reviews)

2.4 mi

Decided to try their new item, cheesy eggplant bliss. Fried eggplant with a drizzle of sweet soy…read moreglaze and shredded cheese. It's crispy, creamy, sweet, and salty-good for sharing. After seeing all the reviews for the cold noodle, I decided to try it with rice noodles, a side order of their delicious beef which reminds me of Mian and Bao's beef, a marinated egg, and their spicy fungus. Would definitely order again. Their egg was perfectly cooked, nice and jammy in the middle. It was a lot of food that reheated well the next day. I found it to be spicy in the sense of warming, and flavorful but not searing off your mouth. Definitely get this with their mung bean soup. It is cold, sweet, and refreshing. Parking: there is a rotating lift with an attendant. I would suggest bringing cash, as other means are not always available. Parking was $2 for the time we were there.

Good Chinese food! But we feel it was better before…read more Food - 3/5 We got the slow-braised beef noodles, pancake beef rolls, and pork dumplings. The pancakes were nice and crispy. The noodles were nice and bouncy and the meat was tender and flavorful. The dumplings were good but they weren't as flavorful as we remember them to be. Service - 5/5 Friendly service! Easy ordering via website. Ambiance - 5/5 Cute modern Chinese restaurant! We parked at Walmart and walked over.

Mian - Honolulu - Crispy fried eggplant strips tossed in a savory-sweet sauce and topped with cheese. Rich, satisfying, and perfect for both kids and adults.

Crispy fried eggplant strips tossed in a savory-sweet sauce and topped with cheese. Rich, satisfying, and perfect for both kids and adults.

Mapo tofu Noodle Set, has mild version and traditional spicy version.

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Mian

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44 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Alexander L.

Elite 9

279

271

9 years ago

This place has a pretty modern feel to it, but the furniture is still classically Hawaiian. It's located in a plaza that makes it a little tough to get to, you have to drive around the Party City and around the entirety of the mall in order to get in the correct direction to park. Once inside, you're greeted by some of the friendliest people on the island, all of whom are really cute workers who make you feel right at home. I got the signature or flagship Tanaka Saimin. The broth was a very clean chicken wun tun soupthat I found pretty neutral overall. The noodles were freshly made and the fishcake and veggies added in were a welcome addition. The saimin was very homemade and I think it's a more basic recipe version than others that I've had. It came with a side of beer battered fried fish, mac-salad, and thin strips of grilled beef. The amount of food was pretty impressive, but it didn't bloat you up like some pho or ramen shops do with salty broth. I also tried the miso butterfish. This dish is definitely on the lighter side of the faire. The fish is steamed then grilled in a slightly hot mustard and miso painted over it. The flavors were clean, but also seemed a little thrown together. This dish confused my palate, and the addition of furukake over rice and miso soup was there to round out a dish that I thought was a little awkward. read more

Art K.

See more unrecommended reviews

120

302

1595

3 years ago

I recently visited Tanaka Saimin with my family, and we were all very impressed with our meals. We ordered the Tanaka Saimin combination, which includes a large bowl of Wun Tun Min, a slice of Teri Beef, Shrimp Tempura and your choice of Mac Potato or Tossed Green Salad. The Wun Tun Min was perfectly cooked, the Teri Beef was juicy and flavorful. The Shrimp Tempura plate I ordered was crispy and delicious, the tangy tartar sauce and squeeze of lemon that was included with the Shrimp provided the perfect acidity and a side of white rice balanced the dish. We opted for the Mac Potato Salad as a second side for our meals. The soft texture and creamy taste was a big hit. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and she made sure that we had everything we needed. She even gave us some recommendations on what to order. The restaurant itself is clean and comfortable. There is plenty of seating and at no time did we ever feel rushed. It was the perfect way to enjoy our meal. Overall, we had a great experience at Tanaka Saimin. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was great. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal in Honolulu. The servings were plentiful and the prices reasonable. read more

Bobby B.

15 years ago

I was looking for a good bowl of Saimin on a cold and rainy night so despite the rather bad reviews that I have heard I decided to give Tanaka Saimin a try. We were seated promptly but had to wait a while for someone to acknowledge us, when the water server came around we asked what the specials were and he said I don't know and walked away. After ordering about 10 minutes later (our soft drink of choice was sold out) and another 10 minutes before the food arrived our Saimin arrived cold and I had to request that they microwave it. I wasn't given a knife to cut my teriyaki and as reported by other diners the noodles were soggy and overcooked. The broth didn't really didn't have a "clean taste". After ordering deserts the waitress went into the kitchen and returned saying that 2 ordered items were sold out and we had to reorder other items. While eating desert we had baby cockroaches crawling up the wall next to our table (which we smashed and killed). I did notice that 1 of the floor managers was walking around asking patrons how everything was but somehow she missed our table. In conclusion I need to agree with other diners and say that this place is terrible and has not earned my repeat business. read more

Julie T.

105

465

2 years ago

Visited Tanaka Saimin on a Friday evening around 7pm and, despite the busy scene, managed to get our name on the waitlist. We were 5th in line and waited about 15 minutes for a table, which wasn't too bad. The parking situation can be a bit tricky during rush hours, but we found a spot relatively quickly. Once seated, we were welcomed by a lively and enthusiastic waiter who clearly loves his job. We were promptly given menus and beverages, and the process of selecting our meal began. After fasting all day, everything on the menu looked incredible, but I was particularly craving fried saimin. Tanaka Saimin did not disappoint in fulfilling that craving. Our food arrived quickly, allowing us to savor our dishes while catching up on a busy week with great conversation. The restaurant had a lively, bustling atmosphere that was perfect for a family outing. As we left, we noticed the line had grown even longer, a testament to the place's popularity. The fried saimin was exactly what I wanted, and overall, the experience was enjoyable. We'll definitely be back whenever the craving strikes again. read more

Sierra M.

168

131

2 years ago

I recently visited Tanaka Saimin, and it was a great experience! If you're in the mood for tasty, affordable food with big portions, this is the place to go. The menu is packed with delicious local flavors that really hit the spot, and the servings are generous, so you definitely get your money's worth. One thing I noticed was the number of locals eating there, which is always a great sign. It's clear this spot has a loyal following, and I can see why--everything we tried was super flavorful and satisfying. The only downside was the service. It took a while for someone to take our order once we were seated, and it also took some time for our drinks to arrive. But the staff was friendly, and the laid-back vibe made it easy to overlook the wait. Overall, Tanaka Saimin is a solid choice for a casual meal. If you're in the area and want to enjoy some good food surrounded by locals, give it a try. Just be prepared to relax and enjoy the atmosphere while you wait for your food! read more

Owen B.

16 years ago

Went there for breakfast and had the fried rice with egg and Portuguese sausage. The rice had too much onion in it and the portions were small. We got there at around 1000 and there were not many people in there. The deliveries were being brought in the front door and through the restaurant. There was a full staff with 6 or 7 waitresses and two hostesses. The kitchen staff was fully manned and there were only two tables used in the restaurant. I don't know how they are going to make it much longer. I heard discussions that they were going to raise the prices already. That would make sense because they are not getting enough people through there to stay afloat. The menu is small and was mostly saimin and burgers. Since it is not busy the waitresses are able to give you personal attention. Our order was served quickly since there was not many people in there at the time. read more

Leighton C.

Elite 19

285

141

269

9 years ago

This place is alright. Service is kinda slow. ordered a large wun tun min.. it's actually small.. like 1 packet of saimin from the store and there's 5 wun ton, green onions and charsu with a lot of soup. All that for almost $10. Come here early in the morning for good parking. The crowd here 98% majority is elderly. There's couple tv's so you can enjoy your food while watching football. There's also new hip-hop and rnb music in the background. This place is huge, a lot of space to walk around. One more thing, the clock needs to be changed. The year says 1996.. it's now 2017 read more

Dahc K.

2 years ago

Disappointing Experience I recently visited Tanaka saimin and was disappointed with how poorly the check-in process was handled. The older woman managing the list was disorganized and seemed to struggle reading names properly. As a result, we were skipped over despite arriving early and having our names clearly listed. It was frustrating to see others seated ahead of us due to this oversight. The lack of professionalism at the front set a negative tone for the entire evening. I hope management addresses this issue to ensure future guests have a smoother experience. read more

Kamahana

3 months ago

Tanaka Saimin is our absolute go-to restaurant, and it never disappoints! Their menu variety for local favorites is excellent. Whether you're craving the Adobo fried rice or the classic Tanaka Saimin Special, their incredible attention to detail and perfect comfort food flavor are exactly what keep us coming back all the time with small groups or the entire family! It's the ultimate spot when you want a satisfying, local-style meal done right. A local gem through and through! read more

Aly S.

9 years ago

I took my grandma here for lunch because she loves old school saimin, not ramen. For me this place was just okay. She liked her saimin, nothing fancy. I ordered a cheeseburger and side order of fried zucchini. Like the saimin, the cheeseburger was okay, nothing special. The zucchini was oily and the batter didn't have any flavor. It's big and spacious and service was okay. Parking is kinda tight (strange parking lot), but all in all, just a very okay place to dine. read more

Ele D.

2 years ago

Well maybe, if your patient w/the service. We ate here tonight & did not assume to get our Check as seniors but I responded to one cashier that we are not. We're 62 & have along time b4 #ss kicks in so when our server gave us the Check I explained we are not 65 (even if we looked it : ( ) so when we paid shrieved came back with the change & we thought. Oh well. So this ismy explanation of why we rated it like we did. Mahalo read more

Cathy L.

16 years ago

The food is pretty good for the two times we've been there. Definitely a place my grandparents would frequent if they were alive. Of those two times there we actually had very good service. So I can't knock them on that. However, I did not care for their tempura. It was just battered shrimp! read more

Jennifer R.

16 years ago

Wanted to try this new place out but waited awhile until they got their act together by the looks of the other reviews they had. Sadly not much has changed. Service was very slow and the food was mediocre, although priced right. Parking was difficult, still feels like it's not finished. read more

John T.

7 years ago

The food here is great. I like to come on Mondays because the specials on that day are stuffed chicken and Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, which are both awesome. They give large portions, and I always have food left over for another meal or a snack. read more

Harry Y.

214

13 years ago

Clean, bright, new, good service, solid saimin stand fare, and family atmosphere. They have ll the Boulevard Saimin favorites with a whole bunch of new items. Can't find any faults except the parking when it's busy. read more

Malcolm Y.

208

13 years ago

The cobination plates offer very good value. The beef stew and shrimp omlet was good. Saimin kind of falls short compared to other Ramen, Saimin places. The parking is very limnited for such a big place. read more

Johnny J.

11 years ago

This is the ... Places I'm not gonna go back again when I go eat them food I get sick right the way this is really bad never go back again dam ... Food!! read more

Ashley M.

10 years ago

A/C not on, service is poor, messed up a simple BLT order on white bread with water to drive drink. They have me a cheeseburger and forgot the water. read more

Hippo A.

15 years ago

Food is ok and reasonably price! Can't ask for much more! They need to expand their daily specials. Their customer service has gotten better. read more

Samantha T.

291

156

12 years ago

Party of 18 and we got sat in about 20 mins food came out right. our waitress was good fun a great place to end a night with great company

Tanaka Saimin - japanese - Updated September 2026

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Kale’s Hale

4.8

(312 reviews)

•$$$

My friend and I tried Kale's Hale for the first time on a Sunday night. The place was packed so I…read morerecommend making a reservation. Cyra (sorry if I'm misspelling your name!) was our server and she was great! I have dietary restrictions and she was very knowledgeable about the food. If there was something she was unsure of, she made sure to ask the kitchen first. I felt very safe eating there. Since I can't have wheat, I wasn't able to try all the marinated meats but I was completely satisfied with the non marinated options. My favorite was the beef belly and brisket. The two sauces I could have were also super delicious. Unfortunately, I couldn't sample the luau soup or the Wagyu laulau but it looked mayjah. I really wanted to sample um so I was able to try an allergy friendly version on my next visit. Shoutout to Chef Kale for making a special order of laulau for me the next time I came. For ambiance my two positive takeaways were the cold AC and clean bathrooms. The AC is kickin in there. I love not sweating while grilling. Overall, the food is great but it's the customer service that really makes me want to come back.

Friday, August 14th @ 5:15pm celebrated my birthday. Lindsay…read morewas such a great server which made our first experience even better! She's respectful with a happy attitude and it was so much fun when she & a group of staff sang 'Happy B-day' giving me a slightly new name (an innocent error... but the situation was hilarious)! I love to 'flame-cook' meats so it worked out perfectly here. The food was so delicious, we enjoyed the selection of the banchan & the complementary side dishes too...especially the luau soup and crab potato salad. This is a great place for families and large groups too. We will definitely be back to 'support local'!

Sugoi

4.1

(783 reviews)

@fortunefoodfinds: "Just CHICKEN in! A Mini Garlic Chicken Plate Lunch, Mini Tonkatsu + Teri Beef…read moreBento, n' a Keiki Bento including Korean Chicken, a Hot Dog, n' Spam from SUGOI located in Kalihi. It's been forever since I had their garlic chicken, which is my go-to. Eating it again confirmed that I missed you! SERVICE: friendly n' fully staffed INTERIOR: step-in to order, walk over to the left side if you plan dine-in, good amount of tables but can get filled up fast during rush hour EXTERIOR: in the same plaza as Ubae n' Kamehameha Bakery WAIT TIME: helped out within a few mins, 10 mins between placing order to receiving food PARKING: free lot, narrow spaces OVERALL COMMENTS: used to come here often for either their regular or spicy garlic chicken. Tastes just the same as before, good garlicky flavor, crunchy, n' even the mini size was enough to feed two. The Mac salad was a good flavor balance. The mini bento that included the tonkatsu was unfortunately dry n' hard. However, the Teri beef was very well marinated n' tender. It made up for it. Got a keiki bento, which had a lil' bit of everything. If you're looking for a bento for your kids, catering, tasty Teri beef, yuMmmy garlic chicken, n' their garlic chicken sauce bottled then this is the spot!

I was expecting a wait time when I ordered my food, but my food came out so fast. I ordered the…read moremini hamburger steak and I couldn't finish my Mac salad and rice. The price was worth the portion that they gave. They have a dine in area and a lot of seats were open during lunch time. I took a bite of the garlic chicken from my co worker and it was so good. Not dry at all. I'm slightly watching what I eat so I couldn't order that

Rinka

4.1

(670 reviews)

Wow! Great sashimi dinner for me and grilled Burikama dinner…read morefor her! And, reasonably priced! In Honolulu? Yes! We loved our dinners at Rinka! First timers. Parking is easy in the Whole Foods parking garage. Then just a short walk to the restaurant. Service was good. Yet they brought out my sashimi dinner before her Burikama was grilled. It would have been better if they held my sashimi dinner until her Burikama was ready. Ambiance is modern. No linens. Paper napkins. This keeps their cost down and they pass those savings to their customers in reasonable prices. Well done Rinka! Highly recommended!

Great little find. Sitting right beside a popular yakitori spot, it would be easy to walk past this…read moreplace, but the food was really good and stands on its own. Ambiance was a highlight, relaxed but still feels intentional. Service was warm too, our server was kind and clearly paying attention without hovering. Would happily come back here on its own merits.

Totoya Aiea

4.6

(64 reviews)

So happy in my tummy Food Very good quality…read more Service very nice Small but clean restaurant Will be back 100%

I wish I could give this place MORE than 5 stars. Excellent all around. Food quality and taste was…read moreincredible. Service was impeccable. Atmosphere made you feel like you're in Japan! I just can't wait to come back!!!! I ordered the signature negitoro bowl with ikura and their homemade shoyu sauce with raw egg. Omg it was to die for amazing. The fresh fish melts in your mouth. It was $26.99 for each meal and it comes with miso soup... or you can upgrade to get udon. For how good it is, I totally think the price is fair. Our server was so friendly, and informative about the menu. He checked on us frequently and made sure we had full glasses of water. I can't wait to eat this again ! Im craving it already!!!

Kyung's Seafood

4.4

(1.1k reviews)

I was a die-hard Sorabol patron.. then I randomly tried Kyung's…read more Love da kalbi, love da meat jun, love da poke and all da sides. This is now my usual go to Korean spot, probably order a plate from here maybe once a month.

One of my go-to spots for late-night ahi and Korean BBQ plates! The service is always fast and…read morefriendly, and while the banchan selection is a little limited, everything is solid. I love the BBQ chicken, meat jun, kalbi, soondubu, and especially the spicy ahi. There's such a good variety of proteins to choose from, so you'll definitely leave happy and full. If you love masago, I highly recommend getting the spicy ahi. It's one of my favorites here! The restaurant itself is pretty small, intimate, and dark, but it's perfect for a quick and casual meal. The portions and prices are also a really good value. Definitely one of those reliable spots I keep coming back to!

Yakiniku Sizzle

4.2

(180 reviews)

Review 35 (2026)…read more There was promotion, 6/2-6/9, 50% off for 4 excellent items. Store owner / server just added 4 items, and regular menu Ishiyaki Bibimbap and drinks. There were 3 original sauce for Yakiniku. He remembered us, we used to order for take out. We are fan of Yakiniku Sizzle. Ishiyaki Bibimbap was so delicious, much much better than anywhere else, the best in Hawaii. Yakiniku meats were so fresh and tendered. We are so lucky we live close by. I want to try lunch menu too. Their recommendation " Omelet " I saw in IG. There are daily lunch specials available. And Happy Hour drinks serve during weekdays. We will be back very soon. Thank you so much.

Called ahead to ask if they do the lunch specials for take out and they do. However, right after I…read moreasked that the guy hung up.... I called again to say I needed 2 orders of the tonkatsu lunch special for takeout and there was a bit of confusion and he hung up again... I went after about 20min to go pick up the order. Confirmed my order was for 2 tonkatsu specials and paid. Then had to wait another 20 minutes to get it. I guess the phone order didn't do much besides give them a head's up that I was coming? When I got it, I was a little underwhelmed. The middle part of the katsu wasn't golden brown, so it could have been cooked a little more evenly. The katsu was quite good tho. Juicy and the panko on the outside was good. Good amount of rice and the kimchi tasted really good. I would try another lunch special again if I'm craving some Japanese food if I have the time to wait for the food. 3/5 for communication. 4.5/5 for food Limited street parking in the area.

Pagoda Floating Restaurant

3.4

(390 reviews)

Stayed at the Pagoda hotel for a few days. Ate breakfast here. For all hotel guests they give a $5…read moreoff breakfast ticket, so food for the most park only costs about $5-$8 per head. Got the fried rice with Portuguese sausage and eggs. And for a $5 meal, it was pretty solid. I'd come here again for the price! Plus their guava juice is amazing and comes with the meal as well!

The food was great. The view was amazing! Get a window seat for sure! Would go again when in Vegas.read more

I Love Grill

3.8

(73 reviews)

We decided to try here after speaking with the owner, Choy.I asked if he could save a table for…read morefive people. Nowadays, most places only seat four. He said no problem and there we are. We got there about 12:30 on Monday. There's about six tables i think and couple benches for people doing pick up. I think more people do pick up them actually dine in. The parking spaces are limited with maybe 7 stalls. Choy did mention that you can park in the back of the service station next door or street parking. I haven't had Loco Moco and beef stew in a while so I got those two entrees in a mixed plate. It was good. I really enjoyed it. Their specialty is garlic shrimp. I will be back to try that with steak. I noticed their breakfast combo. It includes, ham, bacon, Portuguese sausage and spam. That's a carnivore's dream. All the different meats on one plate. Count me in.

Saw the reviews and was in the area so I had to try it!…read more Stopped in and ordered the lemon chicken. This is my standard at these type of places... Food showed up and it was a decent portion and the it looked good! Tried the sauce and it was just okay... Overall the chicken looked good but wasn't crunchy and was a little bland. The sauce was too sweet for me... Overall a miss for me, but maybe other things on the menu are good. Will attempt again if I'm in the area...

Shige's Saimin Stand

4.5

(1.2k reviews)

Update: Go to Wahiawa only once a year on business & first…read moreplace we go to is Shige's Saimin Stand Love their Wonton Mein & Cheese burger Deluxe! So satisfying & delicious! Love their homemade Saimin noodles & their soup broth is so comforting.The homemade Hamburger patty , tomato lettuce & cheese make for a perfect sandwich burger.Look forward to returning sooner than a year! The service by the all women serving staff is outstanding & the cooks are too! The restaurant is small & seating is limited but well worth the wait or go early.Take out available too!

Nostalgic vibes from the moment you walk in. Cool old pictures on the wall and just a classic feel…read more Had the large won ton mein with extra vegetables and you need to get the side of mustard to dip the won ton in. Yum! Won tons were great, the extra vegetables made it healthy, lol, spam and char siu had good flavor. If anything, maybe more spam, char siu and green onions since it was quite a large bowl. Service was great, asked multiple times if we needed anything. Wife loved the hamburger steak, gravy was good! Mac salad was pretty good too. We'll definitely be back!

Okome

4.2

(83 reviews)