Sam Sato's - Wailuku, Maui, HI

Sam Sato's is located in an industrial-looking area nowhere near the tourist centers of Maui. It is a place known to locals and those few out-of-towners who know of its existence. The specialty here is dry saimin--chewy, toothsome ramen-style noodles slicked in flavorful oil and topped with scraps of pork.

It's eaten, or rather, slurped, with a side bowl of plain hot broth, and ideally accompanied by a beef BBQ stick, which is akin to something you get at a Filipino joint. The meal is filling, satisfying, and won't cost you more than $10 per person--it's the best food deal on Maui by miles.

You might be tempted to label the place as Japanese because of the name, but it's not--it's Hawaiian, or more specifically, Mauian, a hyperlocal, hyper-good place that comes with no hype; just great, simple, reasonably priced food for those who know where to find it.

Sam Sato's
1750 Wili Pa Loop
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 244-7124

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