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Welcome to Hamura Saimin

Hamura Saimin is a beloved Hawaiian-Japanese noodle spot in Lihue, Hawaii, known for its comforting saimin, a unique local variation of ramen. The small, unassuming eatery offers a menu focused on this traditional dish, featuring elements like fish cake, roast pork, and freshly made malasadas on Wednesdays. Customers rave about the flavorful broth, generous portions, and friendly service. The cozy ambiance and affordable prices make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike, with many reminiscing about the nostalgic taste of the noodles. Don't miss out on the lilikoi chiffon pie for a sweet treat after your satisfying meal at Hamura Saimin.

Hamura Saimin: Reviews & Ratings

Dennis C.
Dennis C.

Noodles are great and an affordable price. Love our mother she's the best in the house and so friendly. Another piece of pie please. Ambiance is great and a very popular place among locals too

Shayna R.
Shayna R.

Had the extra large saimin which sounds intimidating but I finished every drop of salty broth and perfectly cooked noodle. Others in my party added soy sauce or chili water but I didn't find any of those necessary. I found the broth so soothing and calming to a mildly nauseous tummy from the travels. I added some mustard and chili water in the small dish and randomly dipped my vegetables in them, but I thought the vegetables, broth and won ton were perfectly seasoned. Writing this review to remind myself next time to get the sumo bowl. Sure it's more than the extra large noodles but when will I be back?! I'm on the plane back to Oahu and already regretting that I didn't believe in my abilities enough to go for that feast and check out their shrimp and extra noodles!

Chris R.
Chris R.

Hawaiians version of ramen (saimin) was light, generous with a toppings, and in a really accessible location in Kauai. Really friendly servers who care about the food and are willing to chat up about the area.

Joyce L.
Joyce L.

Hamura Saimin serves comfort food of Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, they don't serve Hawaiian food. They mainly serve Saimin or Japanese Ramen you can only find in Hawaii. Service is awesome here. We were sat right away. This is a small, old place with counter sitting only. Be prepare to sit in a low, wooden stool. I ordered a small Saimin, $8.95. But really, it was more like a regular size Ramen. This Saimin brought old memories. I used to eat them a lot during my younger days when they were lots of coffee shops in Hawaii. Zippy's serves Saimin still but there's something about eating at a run down place where the noodles are made fresh in a nice broth. Their pink fish cake or Kamaboko tasted so good for some reason. Something so simple but brings you comfort in your mouth. If you're visiting, it's worth a try.

Aimee A.
Aimee A.

Tried it on a friend's recommendation during our visit to the island. We stopped in for a late lunch, after spending a few hours at Waimea Canyon. It hit the spot. We all happily slurped up each of our bowls. My 11yo said, "This is good. We should come back here again." I/we didn't know much about saimin before eating here, so the guy there was helpful and patient and helped us feel at ease. It wasn't until after I got back to our hotel that I googled the place and found that their broth might include meat broth. I'm pescatarian and avoid meat or poultry broths, but I felt no ill effects afterwards. Note: No alcohol. Cash only. Might want to check on the broth situation if you're a sensitive one like me. Overall, I recommend it for a very tasty bowl of saimin at this unassuming, no frills, out of the way place, with friendly staff and service.

Josh F.
Josh F.

Hamura Saimin - Yep, I went full tourist mode in Kauai, and it was totally worth it! The Saimin hit the spot, just like I remembered it as a local Hawaii kid. It's that comforting, quick, and delicious meal that takes you back to simpler times. I can't recommend it enough, and I'm thrilled I stopped by. Just a heads-up, though - they're cash-only, so make sure to have some greenbacks handy!

Jenny X.
Jenny X.

This was such a cool concept! The place is cash only, there are a bunch of U shaped tables, and people are served one dish pretty much - the saimin. Good: - I got the special saimin medium and it was super good - loved how it included fish tofu, some ham, some wontons, and the noodle portions were super generous. I loved the soup as well - You can't beat the prices! Super reasonable - Super fast service - it all comes to you super quickly! Bad: - It's a bit chaotic once you go in, so know your order before you go! Overall loved this place and the way the experience was so different from anything else on the island! Feels authentic and it was packed.

Victoria K.
Victoria K.

We stopped here for lunch on a whim. It was a recommendation on the GuideAlong app, and we were in the area and hungry and decided to give it a try. We're so glad we did! First of all, this is a local favorite. Don't expect anything fancy. There was no line or anything like that when we arrived shortly after noon on a Wednesday. We also had no problem finding street parking in the area. Service is extremely basic but very quick. Our entire visit lasted about 30 minutes from arrival to departure. The food is really affordable and it's cash only so bring cash. You'll be sitting at a counter elbow-to-elbow with others (mostly locals) dining on the most delicious and comforting saimin. They have other items on the menu but we were excited to try the saimin, and even on a sweltering day it was absolutely worth it. We wished we had ordered the large size, it was so good, but medium was still a nice-sized portion. In the days that followed, we kept saying we wanted to go back and get more but it just didn't work out with our schedule. Next time for sure!

Marissa L.
Marissa L.

We had a great lunch here. Out party was sort of big of about six people, but we were all seated right away and service was super quick. I loved the horseshoe counter style and their seemingly unchanged menu. Very small town comfy diner feeling. I got the regular sized special saimin and we didn't have to wait too long for our food. The broth was light and the noodles were cooked perfectly. They were slightly thick, with a good bite. My favorite parts of the soup were them melt in your mouth fatty pork and hard boiled egg. The egg yolk was fluffy and light, and I'm usually not a big fan of egg in ramen, but this one was delicious. The fish cake was sweet and not too fishy, it bring some color to the dish with it's bright pink swirl. My wonton was kind of dry on the inside unfortunately. The greens were slightly bitter, but added a good contrast of taste. We had to have the lilikoi pie for dessert. It reminded me of a lemon meringue pie. It was super light, slightly sour and sweet with a crispy crust. We all had a really great and filling lunch here. I'd totally stop by here again on my next visit to Kauai.

Location

At Hamura Saimin, we take pride in serving up a comforting and delicious bowl of saimin that takes our customers back to simpler times. Our menu features a variety of saimin options, from the classic Regular Saimin to the sumo-sized Sumo Bowl Saimin. Each bowl is packed with flavor, from the savory broth to the generous toppings of green onions, ham, fish cake, vegetables, and more.

The cozy and casual atmosphere of our restaurant makes it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with friends and family. With options for outdoor seating, gender-neutral restrooms, and Wi-Fi, we strive to create a welcoming environment for all of our guests. Whether you stop by for lunch or dinner, you'll be treated to fast and friendly service from our staff who truly care about the food they serve.

Don't just take our word for it - our customers rave about their experiences at Hamura Saimin. From the affordable prices to the mouthwatering dishes, it's clear that our saimin hits the spot for locals and tourists alike. So, next time you find yourself in Lihue, be sure to stop by Hamura Saimin for a taste of Hawaii's comfort food. We can't wait to serve you a bowl of piping hot saimin that will leave you feeling satisfied and coming back for more.