Noodles in Honolulu, HI

“Lam’s Kitchen – A Traditional Chinese Noodle Shop in the Heart of Honolulu’s Chinatown

Lam’s Kitchen is a small, old-fashioned noodle shop nestled in the bustling Chinatown district of Honolulu. The place seats only about 30 people, so even though we came during a regular lunch hour, my family and I had to wait around 20 minutes to get a table.

I ordered the fish noodle soup – the broth was clear and light, with a clean, subtle flavor. The fish was not fried but cooked directly in the soup, making the meat firm, fresh, and pleasantly mild. It’s a good choice for those who enjoy traditional, light flavors.

My husband and child had the stir-fried beef rice noodles – a more memorable dish. The wide, chewy noodles were stir-fried hot with tender slices of beef, and the dish carried a distinct smoky aroma from the wok – adding a layer of depth and authenticity.

Lam’s Kitchen may not offer groundbreaking cuisine, but it delivers an honest, traditional Chinese dining experience. If you have time while visiting Chinatown, it’s worth trying at least once.“

“Very generous portion for the price. Pho soup came piping hot. The noodle was cooked perfectly al dente. The broth was not overly oily, great taste. Beef balls had great texture, not too soft not too chewy. Hu tieu was delicious with the fried garlic in the broth. Would definitely come back to try other menu!“

“The food was amazing and everything we expected after we saw the video on You Tube. The prices and portions are good and filling.“

“My favorite place to get freshly made Pansit, Miki soup noddles, and Won Ton Wrappers. They also make various noodles and wraps such as Chow mein, Chow funn, Saimin, Mandoo wrap, Udon, Suimai wrap, and their new: Kaigushu noddles. Each items are fairly priced per pound. Recommend coming here for freshly made noddles/wraps.“

“While browsing through Island Grocery Depot's Kahului store, I came across a pack of Sun Noodle's Tonkotsu Ramen. Already loving their Shoyu version, I was hesitant about trying it because I'm not a huge tonkotsu fan, mainly due to it's color and creamy flavor. Luckily, this bet paid off!

TONKOTSU RAMEN:
The 2-serving pack comes with separated fresh noodles and 2 packets of base. When I make ramen using fresh noodles, I always use 2 pots, one to boil the noodles and the other to boil the dashi, then throw the noodles in to have a searing hot bowl of ramen, the only way to eat it. The directions state to dilute the base in 10-12 ounces of water, 12 was perfect. The flavor was really good - creamy, porky, and is a little thicker than traditional broth. I wish I could've decorated it with toppings but this was just a quick lunch in between my day-off list of chores.

OKINAWA SOBA:
These fully-cooked, thick, white noodles also comes in a 2-pack tray. Even though the noodles are pre-cooked, most folks will want to boil them a little longer as they are super al dente. The dashi flavor is a mix of bonito-beef-shoyu. It's a different, unique flavor that I could probably get used to.

YAKISOBA (PLAIN):
The 6 ounce package of full-cooked yellow noodles doesn't come with any dashi, so it's up to you to find your own seasoning. Luckily for me, my mom has tons of dashi packs from the Saimin noodle bags, so that goes perfect with these noodles as a stir fry. Toss in some sliced Spam, bean sprouts, shoyu, and oyster sauce for added flavor. You'll definitely need at least 2 packs to feed one person.

YAKISOBA WITH SAUCE:
This 11.5 oz. package is the better of the two, mainly because it comes with powdered seasoning. I pan fried some Spam, fried the noodles for a bit, added 1/4 cup water, then added both packets of seasoning, which wasn't overly salty at all. Delish!

SAIMIN:
They offer 2 styles, one with a thicker noodle in the white bag, the other thinner in the clear & orange bag. Both are 2 servings in 1, and come with dashi packs. I love these both ways, either as traditional saimin or stir fried.

SHOYU RAMEN:
Our local Costco sells these as a 4-pack, so I get 8 servings of piping hot, salty shoyu ramen on demand! They freeze well and I don't even have to thaw the noodles to cook. The packets of shoyu-oil thaw out in no time, and the end result is ramen shop quality & taste. Just add your own toppings.

MISO RAMEN:
Having had horrible-tasting miso ramen in many-a-restaurant, I was hesitant to try this. I'm happy to report that their version rocks! The broth was full of flavor and depth, and when combined with their eggy-flavored noodles, sent this baby into orbit! Highly recommended even for the miso hater!

FACT:
Ramen Lab in NYC was ran by Sun Noodle, and featured guest chefs that cooked in front of you while seated at a traditional ramen bar. Wish I got to try them!

OVERALL:
Another winning product from this now nationwide company that started out in the 808. Can't get good ramen at a restaurant, like on Maui? Head to your grocer's refrigerator and grab a package of this diamond in the rough good stuff and settle that craving!“

“Great Chinese noodles and Won Ton wrappers. I especially like their Egg Chow Mein noodles. Much better than what you can find in the supermarkets. I buy 3 pounds of noodles at a time. It lasts a couple of weeks in the refrigerator and can be frozen if you need it to last longer. Prices have gone up a little but always a good buy.“

“Phenomenal Hotpot Experience! This hotpot restaurant exceeded all expectations—ultra-fresh ingredients, richly flavorful broths, and impeccably attentive service. The variety of meats and vegetables was outstanding, and the house-made dipping sauces elevated every bite. Clean, modern atmosphere with cozy vibes. A must-visit for hotpot lovers!“

“We had a lovely experience during our visit. The food is amazing, the sushi was very fresh and the fried rice was also very good. And the service was spectacular! Highly recommended!!

If you are a Korean and are traveling to Waikiki, definitely stop by!! It's really delicious and the owner is very kindㅜㅜ“

“One of top places I miss being able to walk to for lunch when I worked in downtown. The noodles are bouncy and delicious and definitely fill you up. They’re quick, courteous, and very affordable for the quality of food. So thankful they’re open weekends even in the downtown location. Strongly recommend!!“

“I was ono for some sushi and soki soup combo. So good.. just like baban used to make.?“

“Please support your local businesses! This is a hidden gem and the food is delicious. The lady that waited on me was wonderful and informative. I had the Salmon Donburi (poke bowl) with the Miso soup (about 1/2 cup). For those of you who like the aesthetics of a meal, it was prepared in a delightful and beautiful manner. I felt bad that I had to eat the beautifully prepared dish. The soup was good and the Salmon donburi was salted to a perfection and the rest of the bowl (avocado, cabbage, greens) complemented it well.“

“Our family LOVES Junpuu! Our favorite restaurant ❤️“

“Found this place last minute when I was around the area. I'm so glad I did! Hole in the wall, local gem, mom and pop shop. The food was so delicious! I got the Wongton min, that one comes with noodles. The wonton soup just comes with wonton only FYI. I also got a bbq beef stick.
The day I went, it was really hot, humid I was craving for something cool but stumbled on this place cuz I was craving noodles. The broth was so good and really just soothed my soul. Everything was amazing and I wish I got the larger bowl.
The follow day I took my friend and she said this was the best wonton soup she had in a very long time (since her mom passed). We both really enjoyed this place and recommend, will be going again next time we visit Oahu!

This place is small and parking is limited but ppl don't stay long. The ppl who work are really nice and this place is always busy so be patient if they don't sit you right away, even if a table is open. They got you, they know what they are going if they have been in business for 79 years! 😬“

“Best tsukamem! Large portion of noodles with excellent dipping sauce. Neighbors eating fried chicken and fries which looked delicious. One wait staff took care of the entire place with great efficiency. Would go back again.“

“Awesome and tasty Vegetarian food, and I'm not vegetarian 😁“

“The Best! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌴 Vietnamese’s Crispy Chicken Wings With Lemon Wedges, Salt Pepper, Sautéed Onions On Top! Are My Favorite Here, Always Great Food, Mommas Broths! & Open Until Midnight!!“

“Our first time here and wished it was at the beginning of our visit because we would make sure we ate there again. This will definitely be our go to place when we visit the island again.“

“I like their Hainanese chicken but their pork hash is the best! my friends love the pig ear.“

“I remember going to this restaurant thirty years ago as a child of about seven with my dad. I remember it being small, but cozy and two older, silver haired aunties working inside. I confess, I wasn’t a picky child and liked everything that I ate here, especially the steamed rice. Having found it still open and in the same location I had to try it with my wife. We arrived at the perfect time to find a parking spot and went inside to be greeted be two older aunties, not quite silver haired. One took our party size and we were sat within moments. I remember seeing a chef on the menu and looking through the pages. After a few minutes we ordered the house fried rice, shrimp and pork spicy sauce wonton, and the shrimp and pork pot sticker. Unfortunately, of the three, my wife and I only liked the house fried rice. The wontons had a healthy dose of cilantro in each and as a garnish overpowering the dish. The potstickers would have been good, but the sauce at table side was heavy with toasted sesame. This may have been my fault as a lack of understanding on my part, but it killed the flavor unfortunately. It was a good memory relived, but I may prefer going to a more well understood dining experience.“

“Excellent Ramen and friend rice“

“Went here for lunch, the food was super good (and that’s coming from a Vietnamese person), all the food came out really fast, there was a short wait to get in though. The only issue I have is that since it is in china town it is super hard to find parking. Other than that it is a great Vietnamese restaurant and I highly recommend it.“

“Rich and umami sesame and miso broth that isn't too salty, perfectly balanced, with springy noodles and fresh greens (just as for no egg and the vegetarian ramen is instantly vegan), the perfect comforting bowl of ramen with the Daikon Salad on the side (just ask for no Bonito Flakes).. I don't know WHAT the previous reviewer was going on about calling the ramen bland, it was great and I'm glad I went (will be back for sure). The Diakon salad is super refreshing, service was phenomenal, don't overlook this hole-in-the-wall! It gets busy because it's so good!“

“Stopped by the other evening to give Tanaka Saimin a try. I called in my order and it was packed up and ready when I arrived. The young lady that assisted me at the counter was super sweet. We got Tuna Cheese Melts with Miso Soup, a cup of Corn Chowder Soup and a scoop of their Macaroni Potato Salad.

We thought the sandwiches were delicious but would've loved a more crisp exterior. It came with a choice of Miso Soup, Fries, Mac Salad or Toss Green Salad. The Miso Soup was full of tofu and had a good flavor. The Corn Chowder was full of Potatoes and Corn and was delicious as well. The Macaroni Potato Salad had a great flavor and paired well with the sandwiches. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area. If I get the opportunity to return I plan to try the Won Ton Min... that looks good!“

“お蕎麦はもちろん今回は雲丹、いくら、帆立の海鮮丼がとても美味しかったです。 ランチセットがリーズナブルです👍“

“The food is amazing and the service is always with Aloha 🥰“

“Came here for breakfast and ordered a bowl of wonton saimin. The broth was light and comforting, while the noodles were pleasantly chewy. I enjoyed the wontons, which were perfect “one-biters,” well-seasoned, and delicious. Service was friendly and engaging. The place has history and has been around for a long time, making it fun to visit and see locals enjoying their meals. Parking can be difficult, but it is worth it for the food. Also, it's cash only so leave the cc tuck away.“

“Friendly and good service! Delicious oxtail soup!“

“The only thing I didn’t like were the metal chairs and the noise. Service, food, and even the wait time were incredible. (We didn’t make a reservation and they still got us in quickly.“

“I'm a regular customer here and come often because the food is amazing and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. I went there tonight and there was group of rude people saying they re going to leave a bad review and ruin the restaurant reputation @Yang Xu, but if you're going to leave a review at least be honest about what happened. The person writing that review skipped everyone in the line waiting outside then sat themselves down at a table I'm guessing was reserved because they got asked to wait outside like everyone else. I got sat right before them and when they sat down the older man in the group threw a menu across the restaurant (in his review he said they gently moved it to another table, LIES), and demanded priority over everyone else who was also waiting patiently. The staff asked them to be mindful of the other guests and they started being disrespectful and giving attitude to the waitress who then refused service to them. That's when they left saying they're going to leave a bad review. The staff deserve credit, not unfair criticism !
You guys handled that situation amazingly!!!“

“Wow…we loved our meals. We stopped here by quickly on our way from Waikiki to the airport, and easily found street parking. The vermicelli bowls with lemongrass chicken & tofu (and a banh mi with pork + chicken) were so fresh, so filling, and really high quality. Delicious Vietnamese iced coffee. The service was kind, as well. Highly recommend for a relaxed & high quality meal!!“

“Good food. Great people. Been here 3 days straight for lunch because of my picky son. :-) And my Mom and Aunt are vegetarian. If you are here visiting and want good Vietnamese food. Give them a try.“

“You must eat here! Fantastic food and very friendly service. It seemed that everyone was a local and all of the food we ordered was 100% amazing:

- Iced Coffee was a must have!
- cold vermicelli noodles had an amazing house fish sauce. The chicken and spring rolls were tasty!
- pho was the most fragrant, delicious broth!“

“Great Pho. Tasty and great service“

“Hamamatsu style gyoza is awesome delicious! Ramen is great. Love those tonkatsu bites! Sapporo on tap. This is going to be our new favorite ramen joint!“

“came to this amazing chinese restaurant anticipating the best and it was the best .. i got 2 orders of the spicy beef noodles for take out and it was amazing . i didn’t think i would say this but it is better than ichiran in brooklyn .. the broth is absolutely delicious and soo flavorful it’s very easy on your stomach , and if you eat different ramen places you know what i’m talking about haha .. the noodles held the broth very well the beef was very tinder and cooked to perfection.. inside was very small there was maybe 5 tables to eat at and it was very crowded , not really anywhere to eat so i’m glad we got it to go .. i will most likely go back before this trip is over , if your craving chinese food of any kind come here .. you will not be disappointed“

“Located at the end of the stix Asian market, this restaurant offers Taiwanese style beef noodle soups. I tried the combo noodles of beef, tendon, and tripe. The broth was beefy and not too fatty, although it came with some orange lard product on the side that dissolved into little oil droplets on the surface when added. The beef was not chewy, but not super tender either. It had a good flavor. The tendon and tripe both had good texture, a bit chewy in a satisfying way and with unique flavor. I was glad I got to try them. There are 3-5 pieces of each type of meat and I wish there was a little bit more since the flavors and textures were great in the soup. The noodles were also a perfect hand-cut texture and right between bouncy and soft.“

“Super delicious rice noodles with the juiciest, most flavorful lemongrass chicken. Just such a delight to eat crispy veggies and herbs on a hot day here. The owner was so sweet too and chatted with us. This spot has been around for ~20+ years, too!“

“Very friendly and good food! Best dish I had during my 8 day stay.“

“Their bento is really good on the go and the food is fresh and great. Luv it!“

“Haven’t been here in a while. Food is still delicious. Hubby got the ice Thai coffee, yellow chicken curry and chicken satay. I got the Thai pho and the spiciest papaya salad. Normally,we get our own because I like it spicy and hubby does like spicy food. This time the papaya salad was super spicy so I took it home and mix it with other stuff I had at home to balance out the spicy flavor. Server was nice and quick. Nice quiet place to dine in for dinner. It gets crowded around dinner time.“

“This pho spot is a hidden gem! The food is always amazing — super flavorful broth, fresh noodles, and a generous amount of meat. They’ve got a ton of sauce and topping options too, so you can really customize your bowl just how you like it. The staff is always kind and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. It’s usually nice and calm during the day, but it definitely gets busier after dark — even then, I’ve never had to wait long. Definitely worth checking out if you love good pho and chill vibes.“

“Excellent Korean BBQ! It was recommended by a local- great service and delicious food, great quality, decent portions at a decent price! Need reservations by calling restaurant.“

“日本料理が恋しくなって 連チャンで伺いました。 奥さんはカレー蕎麦 御汁がたまらなく美味かった 自分は納豆ぶっかけご飯 店員さんも可愛い日本人で 愛想もとても良かったですよ“

“Lee Ho Fook is a fantastic spot for authentic flavors! The fish cake soup was absolutely delicious—rich and flavorful, making for a comforting start to the meal. The mini chicken cake noodle with gravy was also amazing, with perfectly cooked noodles and a savory gravy that ties everything together. Highly recommend for anyone craving satisfying and well-prepared dishes!“

“Love this place! amazing food and service!“

“This restaurant is a small 9 table dining area with some tasty options and good costumer service. It was busy when we went that a few ppl had to wait for a table. I recommend the tan tan ramen and the sashimi platter. Street parking available. It is free after 6pm.“

“A generous bucket of fresh tofu-fa for just $4, served with a delightful ginger sugar sauce. This place has been a staple for 20 years, though they now only open on weekends. The owner, a kind and welcoming Chinese lady, adds a personal touch to the experience.
Located next to Troy's Enterprise, the local fish market.

Vegetarian options: Tofu-fa“

“TL;DR: This is a hidden gem in Chinatown! Authentic, old fashioned massive portion of Cheung fun for an amazing price! You won't be disappointed if you check it out!

We stumbled on this place while checking out Chinatown in Oahu.
This is not a restaurant, this is a Cheung fun factory, they make the fresh rice rolls wholesale for other restaurants!
We made soup noodles out of their plain noodles (look fun) it was incredibly fresh and delicious. The noodles held their shape, they are made in the very old fashioned Cantonese way!
We really appreciate the attention to authenticity, much better than all of the Chinatowns in other parts of the world that we have visited!
We loved our first visit so much, we returned to buy 2 char siu and 1 ha mi Cheung fun!
They are massive and for the price, it's an insane deal! They're tasty, they're fresh , they have the perfect bouncy texture! They did have small packets of soy sauce to eat with it as well!
It's just like the old fashioned, dim sum restaurant in Asia.
I don't think you can find this anywhere else!
This is a hidden gem, and we hope they will continue to be here for a long time!“

“One of the best bowls of ramen and most delicious takoyaki I’ve ever had!! I tried the Vegan Tantanmen ramen with added tofu. The broth was so good-rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Great portion as well. The takoyaki was perfectly crispy on the outside, with a soft, smooth inside and balanced umami taste. Can’t wait to go back!“