Nori's Saimin and Snacks
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Nori's Saimin and Snacks

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A beloved Hilo institution serving authentic Hawaiian comfort food and inventive Asian-inspired dishes in a cozy, local atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Nori's Saimin and Snacks

Nori's Saimin and Snacks

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved Hilo institution serving authentic Hawaiian comfort food and inventive Asian-inspired dishes in a cozy, local atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience true Hawaiian comfort with generous portions and friendly service at this local favorite."

TIP

Check Hours Before Visiting

Hours can vary, so it's best to check before you go to avoid disappointment.

Generous Portions

Portions are known to be generous, so come with an appetite!

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 11AM

Cuisine

Asian-Hawaiian Fusion

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(808) 935-9133

Address

688 Kinoole St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Hawaiian Comfort Food

Authentic Hawaiian Comfort Food

Experience the true taste of Hawaiian comfort with a steaming bowl of Saimin, a beloved local noodle soup.

Going to Hawaii? 10 Must-Eat Local SpecialtiesMatthew Gray Writes: Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian FoodBest Saimin Spots on The Big Island+1
Inventive Sushi & Fusion Flavors

Inventive Sushi & Fusion Flavors

Beyond Saimin, discover creative sushi rolls and unique dishes blending Chinese origins with Hawaiian influences.

Where to eat in Hilo
Charming Local Hole-in-the-Wall

Charming Local Hole-in-the-Wall

A beloved local gem with a charming, no-frills atmosphere that keeps patrons returning.

Where to eat in HiloGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Check Hours Before Visiting

Hours can vary, so it's best to check before you go to avoid disappointment.

Generous Portions

Portions are known to be generous, so come with an appetite!

Carryout Only

Please note that this is a carryout-only establishment; no dining in is available.

Don't Skip Dessert

The Chocolate Mochi Cake is a highly recommended dessert not to be missed.

Tips

from all over the internet

Check Hours Before Visiting

Hours can vary, so it's best to check before you go to avoid disappointment.

Generous Portions

Portions are known to be generous, so come with an appetite!

Carryout Only

Please note that this is a carryout-only establishment; no dining in is available.

Don't Skip Dessert

The Chocolate Mochi Cake is a highly recommended dessert not to be missed.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Nori's Saimin and Snacks is a local favorite known for its generous portions of Hawaiian and Asian comfort food, particularly its Saimin and Loco Moco. While many praise the friendly service and late hours, some reviews mention the Saimin broth can be overly salty, and other dishes may not consistently hit the mark. Despite minor critiques, its charming atmosphere and substantial servings make it a go-to spot for many.

"We decided to go here as one of the only Saimin places near Hilo. We were not disappointed. We were greeted with a kind woman who spent time taking our order and explaining things to us. After ordering, we spent some time talking with her, to which she discovered we had driven 2 hours to visit her restaurant. She happily provided us with sushi and dessert in addition to our meals, and some delicious elderberry tea. The food was delicious!! We recommend the garlic Saimin and Mochi cake!

Things to note:
- You cannot eat in, only carryout.
- Note the hours before going.
- Paying for the local cuisine, not the design of the place..."

Emily Mazier

"Nori's was one of my bookmarked places to try but wasn't at the top of the list. Our journey here was a last minute decision as we wanted a nightcap as well as food, and Nori's was one of the few places open at 10pm.

ATMOSPHERE:
They're located in a small strip mall, though the eatery cannot be seen from the road. Seating is a collection of homemade wooden booths, even for the 2-seaters, with two of them being able to accommodate large parties of about 16 each. Decor is very homely, and the place was fairly clean sans for the sticky floors, but to be fair we came at the end of the night, so that's to be expected.

MENU:
Saimin, won ton min, mundoo soup, ramen, cold noodles, stir fried noodles, local plate lunches, hot pot, burgers, salads, desserts. Also sake, beer, wine.

FOOD:
Hilo Style Saimin
All the saimin/noodle dishes are available in small or large sizes, with the option of the "special" which added a few slices of won bok and a chicken skewer. Being the pig that I am, I ordered the large which was loaded with so much noodles that I couldn't finish even half. The noodles were thicker and wavy like dry mein noodles and cooked perfect. The only downfall was the broth which was a tad overly salty which killed the natural dashi flavor. Temperature-wise it was hot but not searing. The teriyaki-flavored chicken stick, unfortunately, was very dry and overcooked.

Local Special
My spouse's dish. This falls under their "Local Moco's" category, AKA loco moco. The Local Special added two eggs and a scoop of macaroni salad to the "hamburger steak" dish. The portion was huge for the price. The forkful I tasted was really good; the patty moist and the dark brown gravy thick and savory. Great deal and it'll fill ya up!

SERVICE:
Our female server, an elder Asian woman, was so sweet and friendly! I didn't get her name but she had on a black shirt with "Nori's" spelled out in sparkly rhinestones on the front. Extremely pleasant and professional!

TIP:
They do not split checks at all, with bright pink signs abound stating it.

OVERALL:
Nice menu with lots of noodle choices and even alcohol, good service, open late compared to other eateries in the area."

Maui World Travelers

"Great hole in the wall eatery offering Japanese Hawaiian cuisine. A local favorite, they offer a mix of everything from burgers to saimin to delicious hot dishes. Due to their late hours and friendly service, this is a regular stop for us. Everything we’ve tried here has been very tasty and in generous portions. You won’t be disappointed!"

Arthur Akau

What People Like

Generous portions
Friendly and attentive service
Late-night dining options

What People Dislike

Saimin broth can be too salty
Some dishes lack flavor
No dine-in option

Frequently Asked Questions

Saimin is a traditional Hawaiian noodle soup with Chinese origins, featuring egg noodles in a dashi broth, often with various toppings.

Going to Hawaii? 10 Must-Eat Local SpecialtiesMatthew Gray Writes: Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Food

No, Nori's Saimin and Snacks is a carryout-only establishment. You can order your food to go.

Google Review

Saimin (especially garlic Saimin), Loco Moco, and the Chocolate Mochi Cake for dessert are highly recommended by patrons.

Google Review+1

Hours can vary, but they are known to be open late, often until 10 PM on weekdays and weekends. It's advised to check their hours before visiting.

Google Review+1

No, the restaurant does not split checks, as indicated by signs in the establishment.

Google Review

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Serious Eats

Going to Hawaii? 10 Must-Eat Local Specialties

Saimin is pure Hawaiian comfort food, and even if it's unfamiliar to you, you'll find it hard not to smile as you sip spoonfuls of the subtle dashi broth spiked with pops of color and flavor from green onions. Pulling noodles out of soup is a near-universal joy, and Hawaii's version is chock full of regional touches, starting with the seafood base, as salty as the never-far-away sea, and stretching to the fresh noodles made in the shop or sourced from the area's numerous local noodle factories. Calling saimin "Hawaiian ramen" is a bit of an oversimplification.

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Hawaii Food Tours

Matthew Gray Writes: Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Food

Saimin (rhymes with eye-bin) is Chinese in origin but has blended over the years to be truly unique to the Islands. According to Hawai’i Magazine “One of Hawai’i’s most traditional local foods, saimin is an iteration of a Chinese egg-noodle soup that was developed during the Islands’ plantation era. You can taste how the recipe has been touched by Hawai‘i history’s different immigrant groups, primarily the thin Chinese chow mein-inspired noodles wading in a Japanese dashi broth.

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Hawaii Magazine

Where to eat in Hilo

This casual hole-in-the-wall has something for everyone, from Korean hot pots to saimin soup, desserts, locally-grown coffee, Shrimp Krackas and, yes, Hello Kitty items. Nori’s has to-die-for chocolate mochi cake and cookies, as well as good traveling snacks like beef jerky. The more substantial entrées—teri beef sandwich and calamari steak—are pretty great, too.

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hawaii-guide.com

Best Saimin Spots on The Big Island

Why You’ll Love It: Nori's would be in it if there were an official saimin hall of fame. Known for its handmade noodles and deep, savory broth, this Hilo institution serves up a bowl that locals swear by. The noodles have just the right chew, the broth is full of umami, and the toppings—like char siu and kamaboko—combine beautifully.

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maybeitsjenny.com

Nori’s Saimin & Snacks – Hilo, HI

We didn’t complete our research in full and missed out on bringing home omiyage from Nori’s Saimin & Snacks. Yes, this trip I missed out on my favorite Chocolate Mochi Cake. Maybe it’s for the better, I probably would have gobbled that thing down before sharing it with anyone.

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Honolulu Magazine

Go, see, eat: Big Island

Comfort to the max, Nori’s on Kinoole Street is the perfect first stop. Umamilicious shrimp and kombu dashi-based saimin broth sets the mood for a lazy Friday night. Add a dab of hot mustard on your char sui (sic) and slurp away.

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reddit

Best Ramen on the island : BigIsland

Nori’s Saimin & Snacks (Hilo) - Another local place geared to the locals. I don’t mind the Saimin, but their ramen isn’t ramen. They doing something right cause this place is always busy.

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