Shiro's Saimin Haven

I love Shiro's Saimin Haven.  I’ve been going to Shiro's in Waimalu ever since I was a little kid . . . it was a spot where my friends and I would go to for dinner during high school, and it’s still a go-to spot for whenever I’m craving comfort food.

I’ve always ordered either a Saimin or Wun Tun Min, and only in my adult life did I start ordering French Fries + Gravy on the side.

Wun Tun Min

French Fries with Gravy

Talk about comfort food!

Double Hula Bacon Burga

Orange Bang Float

It was nice to see so many local families dining, spanning generations, and loved how there were so many people running into others they know.

Shiro’s is a true community fixture . .

Shiro's Saimin Haven

98-020 Kamehameha Highway

Aiea, HI  96701

(808) 488-8824

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Visit Hilo: `Ohana Foods

I love visiting gas stations and convenience stores for fun food finds, and `Ohana Foods in Hilo is no exception.

This gas station convenience store offers plate lunches, and I was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was!

Hamburger Steak

Korean Katsu

The Korean Katsu was really tasty.  The katsu itself was good, and the Korean sauce made it even better.  I really liked the fried rice too (extra cost).

Definitely check out `Ohana Foods for some convenient, reasonably-priced plate lunches!

`Ohana Foods
511 W Kawailani St

Hilo, HI 96720

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Forty Niner Restaurant

Since I had to pick up Da Seafood Cartel products at Forty Niner Restaurant one recent Saturday, I decided to order food from Forty Niner, since I haven't been there in years!

Saimin

I ordered a Small Saimin. It was as tasty as I remember, full of kamaboko, char siu, and SPAM. I had also ordered fries, but they were out that day!

Forty Niner Bento

The Forty Niner Bento included local faves - garlic chicken, teri beef, fish, kamaboko, SPAM, and rice.

Fried Rice Omelette

Hamburger Steak

Da Original Loco Moco

Forty Niner is still a great place for comfort food!

Forty Niner Restaurant

98-110 Honomanu Street

Aiea, HI 96701

808-484-1940

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Papa Kurt's Now Open

It's no secret how much I love a good bowl of saimin, so I was thrilled to have been invited to a media preview of Papa Kurt's. 

This collaboration between Chef Chris Kajioka and Chef Mark Noguchi to honor the late Kurt Hirabara of Hirabara Farms offers the kind of food that many of us crave - especially during these uncertain times.

A huge bowl of won ton min, accompanied by fries, a cheeseburger, and meat sticks evoke nostalgia for so many, and it really is my idea of a perfect comfort food meal.

Everything from the food, to the ambience, to the dishes will take you back to the old school saimin shops.  There are still some that exist today, and I imagine Papa Kurt's will give a boost to that entire niche.

It's hard to go wrong with a bowl of saimin and any of the sides, but I highly suggest you order the won ton min, cheeseburger (seriously one of the best burgers I've had anywhere), and fries.  There's just something about that combo that works.  

Better yet - order all the sides to share.  Prices are very reasonable!

Papa Kurt's is open for pre-order take-out only.  You can order online at https://www.papakurts.com/. 

Papa Kurt's

925 ISENBERG ST

HONOLULU, HI 96826

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TBD... To-Go

I was invited to try TBD...'s new To-Go menu, which features Comfort food, Immunity Boosters, and Family Meals.

I ordered the Mac & Cheese, Mushroom Risotto, and TBD... Bento from the Comfort section, and the Chicken Curry and Pork Curry "Vindaloo" from the Immunity Booster section.

The comfort food classics did not disappoint.  My kids loved the Mac & Cheese, and I thought the Mushroom Risotto was tasty (they did not skimp on the mushrooms!).

The TBD...Bento consisted of Falafel, Hummus, Smoked Eggplant & House Made Flat Bread.  It was a meal in itself!

I LOVED the curries.  The Chicken Curry was my fave of the two curries, but the Pork Curry "Vindaloo" was also very good.  They were both so flavorful, and are ayurvedic meals, which incorporate spices that help to boost your immunity.

The entire meal was fantastic! 

Visit https://www.tbdhawaii.com/ for more information.

TBD...
2885 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Mahalo to TBD... for hosting a portion of our meal.   Gratuity was paid on my own.

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Shoyu Hot Dogs

Shoyu Hot Dogs is one of those foods that I remember having frequently as a kid.  Since we had hot dogs on hand, I decided to make some.

I honestly had no idea how to make them, so yes I had to google a recipe.

I found a very simple one that called for 1 T vegetable oil, 8 hot dogs (I sliced diagonally), 1/4 c shoyu, and 3 T brown sugar.  I also added 1/2 c sliced onions (because I love onions!).

After cooking the hot dogs in the oil on med-high for about 3-5 minutes, stir in the shoyu and sugar, and simmer for another 5-7 minutes.

It was quick and delish!

You can see the original recipe here on What's Cooking America.

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New at Shige's Saimin Stand - Miso Saimin

I love Shige's Saimin Stand.  Saimin is the perfect comfort food, no matter what the weather.  But when it's chilly, nothing can beat a nice bowl of saimin.

On a very rainy, cold day, we headed to Shige's.  I was craving the curry saimin, which was introduced last year along with the curry udon. 

But when I got there, I saw a sign for NEW miso saimin (or udon!).

So of course I had to try - I ordered the Miso Saimin with Wun Tun.

If you love miso broth, you have to order the miso saimin.  It's just like miso soup, but with noodles (and wun tun!).  It's really good.

Shige's offers comfort food at its finest, and the service there is always friendly.

Shige's Saimin Stand
70 Kukui St # 108
Wahiawa, HI 96786-1849
(808) 621-3621

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