Order Tanaka Saimin Takeout or Delivery
Tanaka Saimin Photos
TANAKA SAIMIN ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Tanaka Saimin
Recommended Reviews - Tanaka Saimin
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Updated review Sept. 4, 2026 the food here is amazingly great tasting fresh better than my home cooking and yours. The service is so awesome teamwork makes the dream work here at this establishment. The ambiance so relaxing you can't get any better than this. My husband had the Oxtail Soup he said we will be coming here from now on for the soup I had the mix plate with shrimp tempura and beef teriyaki amazingly satisfied their pies are to die for but we were both full.
Food was ono and came fast. Server Kathy was awesome. She catered to my needs. Hard to find workers like her. Very professional and nice. Please give her some praise for her hard work Tanaka manager and owner. If you get her you won't regret it. And prices are still reasonable.
Getting together with Donna O. for lunch, she took us to Tanaka Saimin. A well-known local spot for comfort food. I'd never actually visited, after all the years I've lived on the island, so I was looking forward to it. We arrived on a weekend afternoon. It was busy, with lots of families or bigger friend groups coming. The ambiance is super casual, not much decor, more just a diner for people to eat and gather. It's bigger than I expected, quite a long restaurant with booths and tables. Service by staff is friendly, and food comes out efficiently. I haven't had saimin in years, so I got the Wun Tun Min. My dish was good, tasted like any saimin. Decent amount of toppings and plenty of noodles. For a size small, I was surprised by how big and, of course, filling. The broth is a bit salty, but what saimin broth isn't. My Dad enjoyed his food. I took a couple of bites and enjoyed the fried noodles. Tanaka Saimin is a watering hole locals come to for a meal. They have a nice variety of items from soups to plate lunches. Prices are reasonable, and there's a decent amount of parking at the Nimitz Center.
In honor of Asian Pacific Islander History Month we ate here at Tanaka Saimin. Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz Highway is locally owned by Joan and Paul Watanabe. They opened the restaurant in 2010, which originated from the historic Boulevard Saimin founded by Joan's grandfather, Kazuo Tanaka, in 1956. Family style dining here. Great value and large portions served here. Kapuna (Senior) and Keiki (children) meals available for under $10! Service is with a smile and you are treated well here. Do not forget to try the homemade desserts! Support this API and local business here! Bathrooms are available in the restaurant. Notes: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, is celebrated in the United States throughout the month of May. It is an annual commemoration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of people with roots in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Significance of May: The month was chosen to coincide with two key historical milestones: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was built by a workforce largely composed of Chinese immigrants. Scope of Coverage: The celebration encompasses a vast, diverse population, including individuals with origins from the entire Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Origin and History: It began as a week-long celebration in 1978, signed by President Jimmy Carter. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a proclamation expanding it to a month, and it was permanently designated as a monthly observance in 1992. Thank you Wikipedia, AAPI and Google.
I dont come here often, but when I do, its always a great experience. The food is ono and the service is always personable and inviting. I love when we get Ana. Shes definitely the best! Always a welcoming smiling face that greets us and any customers shes serving. She's just one of those that remembers your order by memory and brings the food out quick with all the necessary condiments needed. She engaging and always a pleasant interaction. Although the restaurant can be busy at times, the wait isnt too long. I love the local vibes you get once you step into the restaurant, that you're bound to run into someone you know.
We went to have dinner there on Friday, I haven't been there in a while. The Friday special was Hawaiian plate which they said they made everything on their own, so I decided to give it a try. The Lau Lau was not too good and not tasty and the filling was more fat and little meat wrapped in taro leaf in the shape of a cigar. The Lomi salmon was good with good size chunks of salted salmon and diced tomatoes and onions and a little green onion. The chicken long rice lack flavor and the noodles were on the hard side like not fully cooked. The kalua pork was okay, but lack the flavor and smoke taste. The Haupia was good and tasty and the onion was fresh. The chili pepper water was good and tasty and helped with the Lau Lau. Restroom was clean and they have separate men & women restrooms. Entrance to get in you need to enter from Best Buy & Costco's you cannot enter from Nimitz Hwy.
Super yummy, comfort style food. I ordered the fried saimin with crispy shoyu chicken and it was absolutely delicious! Perfect breading and bit of sauce within the chicken itself that drained out perfectly to create a bit of shoyu for the noodles as well. The banana cream pie was pretty good not my absolute favorite and not sure if I'd get it again or not. It seemed to have almost a shortbread dense cake kind of bottom to it with a layer of real cut bananas, banana pudding and whipped cream. Boyfriend LOVED it! Overall 10/10 they accommodated our very large group at a later hour and had solid comfort food! I keep craving the shoyu chicken lol
Fast and cheap eat! Food is just ok but good for the price and they give lots of food; could've shared a small. Tastes like Punahou saimin. Banana pie has big banana chunks but too much whip cream.
It was our 1st visit and was ok - Service is fast - got seated at 4 pm on a weekday- had drinks & water immediately and had to ask for more time to review the menu. I'm sure most people know their menu and can get their order in within minutes of being seated! Saimin w/ one ton - noodles and soup good - one tons are huge and filling! The one ton wasn't a favorite but it was filling for sure. Hamburger- good it comes with all the trimmings - lettuce onions tomatoes and pickles- cheese is extra $1.99 Teri beef - lots of flavor Mac salad good Shrimp tempura - ok more breading than shrimp Overall a ok dinner most- likely won't return since the many other options in the area for saimin
Great restaurant where you find a lot of locals eating in. This place is almost always busy but friendly and fast service. Great comfort food. Must try: 1. Oxtail soup (9/10) 2. Mushroom burger with Swiss cheese (10/10) 3. Tanaka saimin (9/10) 4. Beef stew (9/10) 5. Mixed plate (8/10) 6. Lilikoi chiffon (9/10) Enjoy!
We decided to try something new today. Fried Chicken and waffles and Kids Hamburger Steak. The fried chicken are small pieces, prob the same as their crispy shoyu chicken with four fat mini waffles with powdered sugar sprinkled all over. The chicken is super crispy with a great crunch, albeit a few pieces maybe over cooked a bit as they were dry inside. The waffles were fluffy and great dipped in the syrup. The hamburger steak was a big and fat patty. We asked for gravy all over and son son loved it. Some of our other favorites are the Fried rice omelet with pork adobo, oyakodon, and our almost always usual the crispy spicy shoyu chicken. The servers are always polite and friendly, sort of reminds me of aunties. We'll definitely be back for more meals here.
We both got the king cut prime rib this evening. I like medium rare and my wife medium rare. We were both happy with our choices. Jazel was our server and we got seated at the bar to eat quickly as we wanted to watch the fireworks at the Hilton and so glad we ate at the bar. Jazel was fast, professional and friendly! Got us out of there lickity split! We love the ambiance here! It's a family feel and old school vibe. I love their specials. And we love the Asian dressing for our garden salads.
This restaurant has been here for a very long time serving local Japanese and Hawaiian food. It's a big restaurant and must try! Good portions and good quality of food. I had the oxtail ramen and wuntun. Soup was flavorful and wuntun was chunky. My partner also enjoyed his koreamoco plate. Good food for good price. I'll be back to try out other menu items. There are so many options!
When Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz first opened years ago, I'll be honest--it wasn't a favorite of mine. But tastes change, and after a recent visit, I'm happy to say this place has grown on me. This time around, I discovered their fried noodles, which I actually prefer over the traditional soup saimin. The noodles are savory and satisfying, and when paired with their teriyaki chicken, it becomes the perfect combo. The chicken is flavorful and balances the dish nicely. While it may not have won me over at the very beginning, Tanaka Saimin has definitely earned a spot back on my list. read more
25 days ago
Stopped by the other evening to give Tanaka a try. I called in my order and it was packed up and ready when I arrived. The young lady that assisted me at the counter was super sweet. We got Tuna Cheese Melts with Miso Soup, a cup of Corn Chowder Soup and a scoop of their Macaroni Potato Salad. We thought the sandwiches were delicious but would've loved a more crisp exterior. It came with a choice of Miso Soup, Fries, Mac Salad or Toss Green Salad. The Miso Soup was full of tofu and had a good flavor. The Corn Chowder was full of Potatoes and Corn and was delicious as well. Their Macaroni Potato Salad had a great flavor and went well with the sandwiches. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area. If I get the opportunity to return I plan to try the Won Ton Min... that looked good! read more
No gravy on this plate but I will definitely get again this filling Korea moco (1 piece kalbi, kim chee fried rice with 2 eggs and won tons). We also got the oyaku donburi and a fried noodles with a side of teri beef to take home. The teri beef is always so easy to bite through here, just wish it was marinated longer to add more flavor. Parking is a issue on the weekends. I suggest the corner next to Lowe's. read more
3 months ago
My three friends and I stopped by Tanaka Saimin, on Friday, 7/25/25 at 10:15a for a bite to eat. We were greeted promptly and given our water and menus as we sat down. We placed our orders. My friend and I ordered the Tanaka Saimin with BBQ Pork, Shrimp Tempura, and Potato-Macaroni Salad. My other friend ordered the Senior Special that was composed of Hamburger Steak with gravy, Mac salad, and rice. She also selected a small Saimin. My other friend chose the Oyako Donburi plate. My friend and I each enjoyed our Tanaka Saimin. It was very savory and the noodles were nice and chewy. The bits of Char Sui and Kamaboko enhanced the flavor, as well. We had an abundance of wun tun. The sides of Teriyaki were flavorful with a deep rich sweet taste. The shrimp tempura was hot and crispy and the tartar sauce was creamy, and intensified the taste of the shrimp with its rich and tangy flavor. The macaroni and potato salad were cool, creamy, and had a great texture. My friend enjoyed her hamburger patty and her seasoned gravy that accompanied it. She loved eating it with her Mac salad and rice. She also enjoyed the broth and noodles of her tasty Saimin. My other friend had positive comments about her savory and sweet Oyako Donburi with chicken that she had along with her Miso Soup. Our waitress that helped us today was excellent. She was very friendly and always checking up on us. She gave us the opportunity for the 4 of us to have separate checks at the end of our meals. We also had a lot of leftovers and were all given containers to take home our food. We all enjoyed our experience, service, and our meals at Tanaka Saimin. We will definitely come back and try the many other options that they have on their menu. read more
Parking: 90 minute parking stalls. Lots of parking. Service: Seated immediately, arrived at the restaurant around 5:30pm. I've come in the past around 7 and had to wait a while. The waitress was quick to take our order. Food was quick to come out. Booth seating which I liked. Food: The food is always good. This time I got the braised short ribs. I surprisingly liked it. Tasted like pot roast. Don't pass on the custard pie! Just get it! It's good. read more
For those of us who are baby boomers, Tanaka Saimin has its roots from the old Boulevard Saimin on Dillingham Blvd which opened in 1956 by Kazuo Tanaka, and then was taken over by two of his daughters. In 2010, there was a family split between the two sisters: the sister who kept the original Boulevard Saimin renamed it Dillingham Saimin and closed in 2020 due to financial stress of the pandemic. The other sister, Joan Watanabe and husband Paul, opened a new separate restaurant in 2010 named after Joan's grandfather, Kazuo Tanaka, who founded Boulevard Saimin. The new restaurant is called Tanaka Saimin (not to be confused with Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya at various) and is located in the old Weyerhauser Building at the corner of Alakawa St and Nimitz Hwy (next to Loew's) that was being redeveloped by Bale. Tanaka's Saimin menu offerings focus on local comfort food and are extensive: * Breakfast served until noon: hot cakes, waffles, French toast, meat/fish & eggs, omelets, Japanese breakfast, weekend special. * Noodles: Tanaka Saimin with sides, fried saimin, udon, won ton mein, teri beef saimin, oyako saimin, oxtail saimin, oyako donburi. * Plates: mix plate combos, beef, seafood, chicken, pork, butterfish, spaghetti. * Sandwiches: burgers, burger & saimin combo, sandwich combo. * Sides: bbq beef stick, fries, mac potato salad, tossed green salad, yakitori chicken, crispy pork won ton, shrimp/veggie tempura. * Soup & salad: Chinese chicken salad, cold saimin, soup of the day, miso, oxtail, chicken papaya. * Desserts: homemade pies (lilikoi chiffon/banana cream), tempura ice cream, ice cream. There are also weekend, daily, and weekend breakfast specials; and prime rib on weekends. There is 10% off discount for senior citizens 65+ on Tuesdays. Some of our favorites include: * Tanaka Saimin. This is a large won ton mein, with sides of teri beef, shrimp tempura, and choice of potato mac or tossed green salad. Served piping hot, the won ton mein is very filling with toppings of kamaboko, choy sum, green onions, a nori sheet, and char siu; the broth has a nice shrimp flavor that has a satisfying umami taste. The side shrimp delicious tempura is old local style with a puffy batter instead of panko and is served with tartar sauce. * Tanaka mix plate. Two-item combo of various choices. We like the crispy shoyu chicken, yakitori chicken, and teri beef. It comes with two choices of rice, mashed potatoes, fried saimin, potato mac or tossed green salad. The crispy shoyu chicken is deliciously savory with a crispy, caramelized exterior with hints of ginger and garlic teriyaki sauce, which is similar to the yakitori chicken and teri beef. * Sizzling rib steak with mushrooms & onions. It comes with two choices of the same sides as the Tanaka mix plate. Served on a sizzling cast iron platter, the steak is tender, flavorful, and juicy * Banana cream and lilikoi chiffon pie. The delicious banana cream pie has a creamy custard with fresh sliced bananas and a crunchy crust and topped with whipped cream. Also delicious, the lilikoi pie is light and fluffy with a nice balance of sweet and tangy passion fruit citrus flavor with a crumbly crust and topped with whipped cream. Customer service by a somewhat large staff is efficient, friendly, and welcoming, as staff appear to be long-time workers. It does get busy during peak dining hours, so there might be a short wait for your orders, but know that staff are working as quickly as they can. Note that many diners are senior citizens with those using canes and wheelchairs. It is interesting to note that when Tanaka Saimin first opened in 2010, there was much criticism about the quality of the food that resulted in low Yelp ratings that are reflected in its current ratings. After a couple of years, either the cooks were trained properly or new experienced cooks were hired, and the quality of food began improving, with new menu items being added. Today, the restaurant is popular with locals as ever, as every table and booth are taken during peak dining hours, with people waiting for available tables. And the food is delicious and flavorful, as we relate to the comfort food that we grew up with. Outstanding! The dining room is large, spacious, and dated with tables and vinyl booth seating that can accommodate large groups. There is also a counter for those who don't want to wait for a table or booth. The dining area is bright with drop ceiling lights, and the wall décor has framed photos of old-time Boulevard Saimin and of old Hawaii. Hours of operation are Sun to Thurs 7a to 9p and Fri/Sat 7a to 10a. Free parking is available in the parking lot that is shared among businesses in the complex. Tanaka Saimin is on our list of rotating restaurants that we love to return again and again, with so many menu choices, friendly customer services, good local food, and reasonable prices! Support local! read more
Friendly, pleasant and courteous service. Although it was crowded, the restaurant was still cool and not hot...the A/C was in good working condition . In the early evening, there were busy and a 20 minute wait but we were seated before the 20 minutes was up. We ordered prime rib, Tako saimin and Lilikoi Chiffon. My husband the prime rib rare when it was brought to the table it was rare not medium. Awesome job! It was delicious. I wanted oyako donburi and wanted saimin. Oyako saimin was perfect, got the best of both worlds especially since I wasn't in the mood for rice. It was delicious but couldn't finish it....there were more noodles than I expected. Plus, I wanted to leave room for dessert....Lilikoi Chiffon. The lilikoi chiffon was light, tasty and not too sweet. The crust was light, flaky and delicious. read more
Retro flashback to the 1950s-1970s for this casual non-fancy working man's diner serving Saimin (Hawaiian-style Ramen noodles in a light broth). Simple straightforward entrees served quickly and courteously by waitresses that are true hardworking pros. PRO TIP: To park here, it's best to drive around the back sides of this massive building to park in the one-way angle-spaced parking lot in front of the restaurant. Inside you will find a huge dining room with vinyl booth seating that stretches seemingly to the horizon! Yes, the interior is dated and worn, but that's part of the retro vibe here. :) We had to wait a few minutes after arriving until the parties ahead of us got seated first. Lots of people go with the sizzling steak here which looked great, but I wanted something a little more healthy tonight. I went with the signature entree - the Tanaka Saimin. The Saimin was on point with good ramen noodles in a light broth with slices of Japanese fish cake. The Tanaka Saimin comes with a side plate that includes a few slices of tender and tasty Teriyaki Beef, one "Tempura" Shrimp that is really more of a breaded shrimp (not really the flaky tempura batter) and a bit of a side salad. It was more than enough food for a full meal. I wouldn't mind coming back again.. read more
4 months ago
Tanaka saimin was awesome, I forgot how saimin really taste like! Living in the mainland we can't find anything like this!! Also the wonton is huge, just as big as the saimin spoon. This was my 1st time eating here. Great food!! read more
13 days ago
1 year ago
We knew zippys would be packed after graduation so we came here instead. It was raining that evening so everyone in the 'Ohana was ono for saimin & hamburger. Tanaka saimin is the perfect place for this craving ! Remember to order a side of fries. Got to the restaurant around 845 and it was packed but luckily there were tables available and we were seated right away. Tanaka severs were very attentive despite the busy restaurant. Food came out quickly and cooked perfectly. Make sure to save room for dessert, their peanutbuttahhh chocolate pie was BROKEEEE DA MOUT ! read more
2 months ago
Great variety on the menu of Hawaiian specialties! Saimin is so fresh, noodles cooked perfectly with a rich dashi broth same for the udon. Our cousins love the oxtail soup. Tempura is crispy with seasoned large shrimp. Miso butterfish is delicious. They have a Tanaka combo special where you choose 2 proteins with sides (10 varieties: shrimp tempura, beef teriyaki, hamburger patty, much more). Fried saimin is a local favorite too. Save room for dessert because the lilikoi chiffon pie is da bomb as well as the banana or coconut pie - all homemade in house. They have daily specials from oxtail stew, prime rib (I think Saturday or Sunday) stews and much more. Service is always nice and friendly. No reservations so sometimes it gets really crowded. Casual atmosphere laid back Hawaiian style with local fresh food that is onoliscious!!! read more
9 months ago
Parking is free but can be challenging during peak hours. We came for lunch on a weekend. The wait was about 10 minutes before we got seated. They seated us next to the kitchen which was very noisy. I do not suggest this. The menu is large offering BLD. My lunch date and I both ordered the popular Tanaka Saimin Special. It included a large Wonton Min, a side of BBQ Beef, Breaded Shrimp, and Potato Mac Salad for $17 and change. The Wontons are huge. I wasn't crazy about the Breaded Shrimp. I did not eat a lot so I took the rest home. I was able to make 3 more small meals with the leftovers. The staff is wonderful. Bathrooms are clean. Good for large groups. read more
10 months ago
A local favorite that was suggested by our local friends and this place did not disappoint! When we walked in, it was super busy, but the restaurant was pretty big so we're able to sit a large group of us and our friends. Service was fast and the menu was straightforward. We ordered the oxtail Saimin And also the miso butter fish and both of those dishes were delicious! The portions were very good and the food came out hot. Service was extremely friendly and was an overall great experience. Definitely felt like a local while eating there I would highly recommend it to anyone else. read more
All I can say is, "I've been missing out" all these years. Now, I can make up for lost times...lol. I heard that TANAKA SAIMIN is just like the good 'ole BOULEVARD SAIMIN that was located on Dillingham in Kalihi. Not sure if this is accurate, but the owner of this restaurant is related to the owners of Boulevard Saimin. No wonder the food taste the same...still ono! Just like I remember growing up. The moment I first walked in, it reminded me of BS. A nostalgia, homey and comforting diner with old fashioned booths and open family style tables. My family was greeted with a warm greeting and a speedy service. Our waitress was so friendly, quick and very attentive to our needs throughout our entire service. She also joked with us before leaving the restaurant, she said " I'll see you folks tomorrow " lol. Now, on to the food. Looking over the menu, I noticed that they had a...TANAKA MIX PLATE that was similar to my favorite at BS (Boulevard Special plate) It included the following: Choice of 2 sides- *rice, mashed potatoes, fried saimin, mac-potato or tossed salad. Choice of 2 entrees- *shrimp tempura, shrimp omelette, teriyaki beef/pork, roast pork, beef stew, hamburger patty, yakitori chicken, chicken katsu, or crispy shoyu chicken I chose-fried saimin, mac-potato salad, teriyaki beef and shrimp tempura. This similar plate was my favorite at BS. Let me tell you, taking that first bite brought me back to my childhood. Omgeee...everything tasted EXACTLY the same...on point and so...ONOLICIOUS!!! My taste buds were doin' the HAPPY DANCE! You gotta try this plate! On my second visit here, I decided to try the TANAKA SAIMIN which includes: Large wun ton min, shrimp tempura, teriyaki and your choice of mac-potato salad or tossed salad. I choose the mac-potato salad. This dish was just as amazing! So, if you want yummy, local, comfort food with great service, come to TANAKA SAIMIN on Nimitz. You'll thank me for that! read more
Old time favorite when you just want to bring back some old time memories. My brother and I have been eating here for years and do now when I fly back home we always stop back in to get our favorite Tanaka Saimin. I know it's not the best saimin in the world but , but it's comfort food that hasn't changed. read more
5 months ago
I got the mix plate with shrimp omelet, potato mac salad, and crispy shoyu. Service was fast, which I appreciated, but the place had a bit of a fishy smell that took away from the experience. Solid meal overall, just not quite enough to earn more than three stars. read more
Despite the rising cost of food, Tanaka Saimin has kept their prices affordable and that's so appreciated. My son loved his Japanese breakfast and the hubby and I shared the French toast breakfast "sandwich." Portions continue to be generous and everything tastes Ono-licious!! read more
5 months ago
I was craving eggs benedict and this hits the spot. nothing more to say but overall it's good. read more
1 year ago
Tanaka Simon is always a place I go to when I get home from a long trip. The food is great priced for portion size and they have so many options. Pretty much any local food you can crave is on their menu. Even ox tail! The waitresses and waiters are always attentive and pretty quick. The restaurant has many tables so they can serve a lot of people at once. You never really need to wait long even when they're busy. Definitely a local food must-try! read more
The food looked great but it definitely did not taste great. We were all pretty disappointed with what we got since it looked great! The Saimin had no flavor, felt like they just warmed up the udon and poured hot water in. The Oya mostly had rice in it and as well lacked the flavor it could've had. The Korea Moco tasted very smoky and burned. It didn't even taste anything like Kimchee Fried Rice. I'd say it was more so a Shoyu fried rice because of how strong the Shoyu taste was. We didn't get a single water refill unless you were able to stop a server. Overall we were all left sad at the outcome since we all haven't eaten all day. We ended up stopping at Soul Chicken around the corner since we were still hungry. Parking is good at least and we didn't have a wait time. We are more than likely not recommending... read more
3 months ago
Haven't been here since covid. Walked in and put my name on the wait list. Got called for a table in about 10 minutes on a Sunday lunch rush. Place hasn't changed since the last time I been there. Same great service and friendly service. Second time I ordered the ahi belly and was not disappointed. Well, the first time, my fish was slightly over cooked. But they made up for it this time. Alot of food that comes with miso soup. My lunch partner ordered the grilled mahi mahi sandwich with mac/potato salad. It was delicious, mahi was fresh with soft bun and with lettuce, firm tomato, onion, pickle. The mac/potato salad had too much mayonnaise for her taste. Pro: Always great friendly service and large portions. Con: Knowing it is a large restaurant. Service and food service may take awhile. Potatoe mac salad has a good taste but too much mayonnaise. Would I return? Yes. Great local food. read more
If you are in the Nimitz area, this is a must stop if you need a lunch or dinner that will satisfy your hunger. Let me just say if you go during rush hours, the parking is terrible. So I suggest going at an off time. When you enter, make sure to write your name on the list or if it's not busy just notify the hostess. A real cheat code is if your party is small, ask to sit at the counter if there is open seats. Once my hubby and I were seated, we were friendly greeted by our waitress and promptly take our drink orders. Once we got our coffees, we both got the Tanaka Saimin and my hubby got the corn chowder. Tanaka Saimin: Such a bang for your buck. Not only do you get saimin with won tons (I had like 5 juicy ones) but also a side of Teri beef, fried shrimp tempura, and Mac salad. Talk about yummy and plenty if you ask me. Corn Chowder: My hubby loved it. You cant go wrong with a corn chowder. Just a heads up it was a special for the day so it's not available everyday. Overall, I would rate this experience as top notch. I can see why so many people wait for this place. Ono food and friendly service. I can't wait to go back read more
lots of free parking outside. (note u have to drive around the building and parking is reserved for each venue). signed in at the front. short wait and was seated. the place was packed. shortly after a super nice waitress came and took our orders. Aunteh had the king cut prime rib (med rare) with salad. steak was cooked good had a mean meat to fat ratio. was such a good deal for the price. da mini-me wanted to tax my oxtail but i told her no wayz, get yo own so she got da saimin version. i got da oxtail soup. was nice and hot. broth was flavorful and filled anykine. had long rice, bok choi, shitake, peanuts and choke meat. was cooked good so da meat easy to slurp off da bone. just how i like. side ginger and rice to make da perfect mop sesh. dessert was also mayjah... we had try banana cream pie, creme brule'e, blueberry pie and lilikoi chiffon. all the desserts were good. rush em! read more
First stop in Oahu after landing at the airport! Lots of seating available at Wednesday lunch time. Service was fast as well as the food. Lots of options from combo plates various Japanese dishes to a variety of Saimin options. Prices were reasonable. The consensus is that we will have to come back for breakfast before our flight out as well! read more
3 months ago
The only reason for 2 stars is because of this big bone hamhock i always come on Saturdays for this ..Today I came for that but decided to have the saimin n burger spesho and order the hamhock for take out for dinner..Well if you look at the photo ITS BURNT! and looks really dry.thats why the 2 stars would've been 1 star ..next time I order take out im gonna check my order first..I would've asked for another one if I seen this..Please do better next time cooks read more
They have a lot of different kinds of foods to choose from. I ordered the two choice mix plate. I went with the roast pork and crispy shoyu chicken. The plates also come with a choice of two sides, and I picked rice and potato macaroni salad. The portions were a decent size for the $16 I paid for it. I probably wouldn't get the crispy shoyu chicken again because it was on the dry side. We went at lunch and it was very busy. A very long wait if you wanted a table. We opted for the counter and we're seated right away. The waitresses were friendly and the service was adequate. The noise was minimal, despite it being very busy. The space was clean, cool, and comfortable. read more
Finally got to try this place although my gf has been here several times. Came on a Tuesday around 11:15am so we beat the lunch crowd. However, we had to circle the large building twice to find parking. From the outside, it's hard to see inside with the tinted windows. Once inside, I was surprised to see a lot of tables, high ceilings, and lots of framed pictures along the wood paneled walls that gave it a comfy casual vibe and the recessed, pendant and wall sconce lighting as well as ambient lighting made it feel open and inviting. We were seated right away in the large restaurant that was about 40% full. When we left around 12:05, there were maybe a dozen people waiting to get a table so it is recommended to come here early. The menu selection was huge. My gf ordered the Tanaka Saimin that came with teri beef, shrimp and mac salad. She says it had a generous amount of wun tun in the Saimin and said even the broth tasted good. No complaints about any of her food. I originally was going to order the Miso Butterfish plate but our server suggested getting the Japanese Breakfast instead that included the same amount of miso butterfish plus more food for about the same price since it was before 11:30am. The Japanese Breakfast is a great deal because it included the same portion of miso butterfish plus eggs (maybe 2 cooked like an omelette), konbu(seaweed), rice with furikake on top and miso soup. I was disappointed that the egg was plain- it didn't have any sweetness like a Japanese style egg. Our orders came out fairly quick and we were surprised on the portions of food. My miso butterfish didn't have a single bone in it so that was good. It was average tasting miso butterfish but notable was the portion size was good (2 decent size pieces). Our server was excellent, very friendly and made great suggestions. She checked on us twice after we got our food. We were too full to get dessert but the desserts looked interesting. The business name Tanaka Saimin is misleading because the large menu has much more than Saimin such as pancakes, omelettes, loco moco, burgers, kalbi, ribeye, oxtail soup, and desserts to name a few. They also have daily specials. For sure, way better than Zippy's. Definitely got to come back to try other things on the menu. But I'll be sure to come at off peak times. read more
Food was decent! Not that bad for the price for sure and definitely filling. Lots of great options to choose from. We forsure came here for the fried ice cream haha. There seem to be lots of seats inside. Although the only down side we had was slow service. We couldve been in and out of there if there were more servers. They are definitely short staffed and over worked. They didna great job trying to help one another. We got there around 6, seated by 6:30- and left pretty much at 8:45 or so. Which we spent most of our time waiting. The host was great though, he was kind and funny and informative. Other than that, great place to have dinner if you are in no rush at all. read more
We had an early morning flight from Las Vegas and were glad to find a spot like Tanaka Saimin open. We were seated right away, and there was plenty of space. The food hit the spot--perfect for my saimin craving. I also ordered the side of fried rice, which was very tasty and a large portion. Prices were reasonable, and portions were generous. Our friends got the Tanaka Saimin and really liked it too. The food came out quickly, and our waiter was kind and helpful. read more
Saimin is a popular noodle soup dish in Hawai'i that combines some chicken broth and dashi powder to create a simple clear broth that many locals enjoy for the ultimate comfort food!I told my mom I was craving some, so she brought me to check out Tanaka Saimin in Nimitz, HI! We decided on getting some saimin bowls, along with cheeseburgers and shrimp tempura The saimin was incredibly filling, as they provided a generous amount of noodles topped with fishcake, minced char siu meat and green onion. The cheeseburgers were not oily and the shrimp tempura had a nice crisp to the outside of a soft breading I definitely wanted to kanak attack (sleep) after this! Our waitress was nice and the interior had a Japanese inspired theme. There is not a whole lot of parking, so keep that in mind! read more
1 year ago
Dined here with my brother and his family. My first time here. Restaurant was crowded but we didn't have to wait long for a table. I love the family atmosphere, very warm feeling and the entire staff made you feel at home. My brother had the mahimahi and my sister-in-law and niece shared the saimin and wun tun combo. I had the two choice of teriyaki pork and yakiniku chicken (too hungry to take a picture ). Our food was delicious with generous portions. Overall we had a great time. Look forward to coming back. read more
Located by La Tour and Lowe's, Tanaka Saimin has some parking by the front. The restaurant was diner-like with many families inside. The people working were friendly and the food was ready promptly. There are a good amount of choices that seem to satisfy many local cravings. Many different types of meat, saimin, and mixed plates. We got the fried saimin, fried saimin with yakitori chicken and teri beef, fried saimin with short ribs, and mahi mahi. The fried saimin was tasty and they gave a good portion. The meat was also tasty and well marinated. However, the mahi mahi was a bit dry and lacking in flavor. There was also not as much food in the mahi mahi plate. I would stick with other mixed plate options and fried noodles. read more
More info about Tanaka Saimin
888 N Nimitz Hwy
Ste 103
Honolulu, HI 96817
Directions
(808) 524-2020
Call Now
Visit Website
https://tanakasaimin.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Special Hours
Tanaka Saimin Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Tanaka Saimin
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
44 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
9 years ago
15 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
16 years ago
9 years ago
2 years ago
3 months ago
9 years ago
2 years ago
16 years ago
16 years ago
7 years ago
13 years ago
13 years ago
11 years ago
10 years ago
15 years ago
12 years ago
Tanaka Saimin - japanese - Updated September 2026
Best of Honolulu
People found Tanaka Saimin by searching for…
Trending Searches in Honolulu, HI
Asian Dinner near Tanaka Saimin
Cheap Breakfast near Tanaka Saimin
Cheap Chinese Food near Tanaka Saimin
Chinese Buffet near Tanaka Saimin
Cinnamon Roll near Tanaka Saimin
Coffee & Cafes near Tanaka Saimin
Crab Rangoon near Tanaka Saimin
Ding Tang Fun near Tanaka Saimin
Dog Friendly Restaurants near Tanaka Saimin
Egg Drop Soup near Tanaka Saimin
Hand Pulled Noodles near Tanaka Saimin
Hawaiian Pizza near Tanaka Saimin
Indian Grocery Store near Tanaka Saimin
Japanese Breakfast near Tanaka Saimin
Japanese Steak House near Tanaka Saimin
Korean Cold Noodles near Tanaka Saimin
Korean Soup near Tanaka Saimin
Late Night Sushi near Tanaka Saimin
Mango Sticky Rice near Tanaka Saimin
Oxtail Soup near Tanaka Saimin
Plate Lunch near Tanaka Saimin
Restaurants That Cook In Front Of You near Tanaka Saimin
Salt And Pepper Chicken Wings near Tanaka Saimin
Soba Noodles near Tanaka Saimin
Spring Rolls near Tanaka Saimin
Study Spots near Tanaka Saimin
Sushi Happy Hour near Tanaka Saimin
Sushi Lunch Special near Tanaka Saimin
Teriyaki Chicken near Tanaka Saimin
Browse Nearby
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Restaurants near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Coffee near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Desserts near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Sushi near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Parking near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Things to Do near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Ramen near Tanaka Saimin
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Omakase near Tanaka Saimin
Reviews from Tanaka Saimin
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Honolulu, HI
All You Can Eat Sushi Buffet Deals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Authentic Izakaya Dining Experiences in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Chinese Takeout Options Available in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Dim Sum Places to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Korean BBQ All You Can Eat Deals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Korean Fried Chicken Spots Around Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places for Jajangmyeon Noodles in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places to Enjoy Curry in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Shabu Dining Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Soul Food Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Soup Noodles Served Fresh in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Spring Rolls Served in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Teriyaki Chicken Meals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Vietnamese Sandwich Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Wonton Soup Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Celebrate With Birthday Dinner in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Dumplings Available in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Onigiri Options to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Plate Lunch Options Available in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover All You Can Eat Sushi Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Authentic Bun Bo Hue in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Authentic Filipino Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Buffet All You Can Eat Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Delicious Noodle Soup Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Fresh Ahi Tuna Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Great Seafood Boil Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Sushi Burrito Favorites in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Top Asian Food Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Top-Rated Noodle Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover the Best Chinese Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover the Best Sushi Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Authentic Chinese BBQ Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Authentic Gyoza Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Authentic Tempura Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Authentic Thai Cuisine in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Conveyor Belt Sushi Dining in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Delicious Roast Duck Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Delicious Tteokbokki in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Fresh Soba Noodles Near You in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Hand Pulled Noodles Made Fresh in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Spicy Szechuan Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Sushi Lunch Special Deals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Tasty Chinese Noodles Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy Traditional Bibimbap Meals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy the Best Pad Thai in Honolulu, Hawaii Today
Experience Authentic Omakase Dining in Honolulu, Hawaii
Explore BBQ Restaurants Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Explore Delicious Vegetarian Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
