Visit Maui: Sam Sato's

When on Maui, Sam Sato's is a must-try if you're looking for local comfort food in a nostalgic setting.

It's hard to believe that I had never been to Sam Sato's prior to our recent family trip to Maui for Thanksgiving. I've been to Maui many times during my life, from small kid time to as an adult, yet I never made it here, until now! Everyone always talks about their dry-mein and manju. 

Upon seeing the entrance, I knew I would love this place. It's just like the old school saimin houses that we used to as a family on Oahu. There are very few remaining nowadays.

As we entered, we could see all the fresh manju and other pastries in the display case.  I was already thinking about what to get to-go on our way out.

Our food came out fairly quickly, which was great because we were hungry!

Check out what we all enjoyed: 

Hamburger (the son orders his burgers PLAIN, no sauces or fixings)

Saimin

BBQ sticks (beef)

Large Dry Noodles

The dashi served with dry noodles 

Vegetarian Omelette

The dry noodles were amazing! The noodles boiled, then tossed in a secret sauce, likely made of oil and soy sauce, and maybe a few other secret ingredients?  The noodles are made fresh on island from a factory in Paia. The noodles are thick and cooked perfectly. 

If you're wondering which one to order - dry noodles or soup saimin, I would go for the dry noodles, only because it's not something that you can get at many places (there are other places that make a version of dry noodles but most are pan fried). You just have to try the dry noodles from here, at least once.

On your way out, don't forget to buy a box of manju and turnovers for later. They often sell out, so to assure that you get some when you come here, I would suggest calling in your order ahead of time.  These are great as omiyage.

Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

__________________

SAM SATO'S
1750 WILI PA LOOP A
WAILUKU, HI 
808-244-7124

1750 Wili Pa Loop A, Wailuku, HI 96793
 

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Visit Maui: Tiffany's Restaurant & Bar

On our recent trip to Maui, I asked my friends if we could stop at Tiffany's Restaurant & Bar for lunch, since we already had dinner plans (and we were only there for a night).  I didn't realize they were only open for lunch on the weekends, but my wonderful friends made sure to make the visit happen, squeezing in a second(!) dinner and driving from Wailea to Wailuku after a full feast!

Chef Sheldon Simeon and his wife, Janice, took over the neighborhood eatery a couple of years ago, and it continues to be a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike.

Fat Chow Funn

I loved the Fat Chow Funn (which is also my go-to at sister restaurant Tin Roof).  The thick, chewy noodles are just packed with so much umami.  Even though I ate so much leading up to Tiffany's and really didn't think I could eat another bite of anything, I ate nearly the entire bowl of the Fat Chow Funn.  I really think I could've eaten the entire bowl myself (next time, I am for sure getting a bowl all to myself!).

We were generously given a plate of the "quickled cukes" with shoyu mayo dip.  Such seemingly simple ingredients were just so delish!

Quick Kine Pickle Cucumber with Shoyu Mayo Dip

Our server said the roasted then fried beets, which were accompanied by greens, strawberries, Funyun furikake, and aioli, were life-changing, so of course we had to try!

Beet Box

The combination of sweet and savory components worked nicely together.

Hamachi

I'm not much of a seafood eater, so I didn't try the hamachi, but my friends loved it, and said the finadene was fantastic.

The entire Tiffany's team was warm and friendly from the moment we stepped in, and the food came out really quickly.

I can't wait to return to try more food!

 

Tiffany's Restaurant & Bar

1424 Lower Main St

Wailuku, HI 96793

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