Lani--you are correct, Zippy's saimin is basically S&S brand.

As for Mini Garden....my parents say it's not quite the same as it was several years ago, but it tastes the same to me!! I guess it depends on whether you are a 'regular' there or not, to be able to taste the difference. I still like it. (Stewed noodles with duck rules!!!) However, I noticed a few weeks ago that Mini Garden has renovated and expanded all the way to the corner (I guess to get more foot traffic and to combat the new competition from Little Village)--it's bigger and roomier, but I have no idea if the food has changed yet again.

By the way, Lani--while in Paris last year I went to a place called Mirama, which was near the Latin Quarter. Their food reminded me of Mini Garden.

What is the difference between Saimin and Ramen?

You can always get a bag of Taro chips and a coke at an ABC store. Let me know if you have trouble finding one.

Saimin is ramen.....not sure how the name evolved, but it's a Hawaii thing. If you went to Japan and ordered Saimin, they would have NO idea what you were asking for. Same goes for shoyu.

An alternative Paul would be to go to Daie or Shirokeya and wonder down the Japanese snack section. I did this with kids I was trying to get enthused about foreign food they had fun. We bought too many snacks but it was so fun to have them get excited about trying new treats when they were only use to snickers bar. Trying to get them to try a tasting menu at on Chinese restaurant did not go so well.

Oh and don't even get me started on the great Japanese desert section at Shirokiya. Hey Melissa do the still have those elegant Japanese deserts upstairs. The bakery downstairs is something different.

Off the ethnic side I had a great meal at Kincaid's on this past trip. It is located in Ward Warehouse and well worth the trip! Not really in the cheap category but it was comparably cheap to the same quality of fare in NYC.

found this website for out of towners looking to see about shipping. Do not know that this site will help but it looks like a useful link. I would email manufacturers directly.

http://www.foodsofhawaii.com/product...ctsPage12.html

Hmmm. elegant?? In Shirokiya, St. Germain Bakery is downstairs and Delite Bakery is upstairs, but I don't usually classify Delite as more elegant. Maybe it depends on what you are looking for? The food & bakery sections of the store have evolved a bit within the last couple of years.

Aloha Rebecca, I agree with Melissa on Aoki's for shaved ice. Also, I used to love Mini Garden (in the seedy part of downtown), but they recently renovated, the food was not as tasty, and the prices were higher. Still good though, but maybe not worth a special trip. For Korean food I like Camillia (sp) restaurant on the corner of McCully and ...Algaroba I think (anyway, about 5 minutes out of Waikiki). It's a buffet with cook-your own meats, including kal-bi. Prices are very reasonable with tons of food & great selections. Excellent value for the money. The only thing is, be prepared to smell like BBQ after stepping out of the restaurant! You probably already know about Makai Market at the Ala Moana Shopping Ctr. Great variety and prices can't be beat. I don't really care for Hungry Lion...kinda greasy. May want to try the Oxtail soup at Kam Bowl (yes, it's a little coffee-shop in a bowling alley). Grace's rates high on my list for best Chicken Katsu plate lunch...they now give you two types of salads with every plate lunch. Did I mention Chow Fun under the Katsu? L&Ls is o.k. but too Chinese-y. Would rather have Chinese food instead. Zippy's quality is probably best, although the portions can be small. Excellent saute mushrooms. Anyway, I could go on and on! It really comes down to a matter of opinion though...happy eating!!

Hi again, After reading about ramen, you have got to try Goma Ichi on Keeaumoku st. near Tower Records. It's a small place that serve excellent TanTan ramen...it's a sesame-like broth. Very unique and delicious. I highly recommend it...just save a seat for me because it can get crowded during peak mealtimes. Hey Lani in England...want me to bring some up for you?? Will be in England hopefully soon...dying to see those Moors and maybe stay in a castle. Aloha!

Melissa, Shirokiya use to have Japanese desserts section on the second floor. I understood the desserts to have been flown in from Tokyo. Actually this is what the store clerk told me and yes this was about 5 years ago. You could also ship these anywhere you wanted. They were expensive, very decorative with a box look and several multi colored layers although there were different designs (yes designs)and shapes. They use to show case them in what looked liked a large jewelry display case. Too bad I guess they did not find a market for them. Maybe this was only a seasonal item. I know you can find all kinds of fancy cakes at Daiei on New Years.

Ooooh, I think I know which ones you mean! I am going to Ala Moana today, if I remember I will go to Shirokiya's 2nd floor to see.....there is a small counter on the second floor that has Yoku Moku brand cookies and some fancy mochi things from Mikawaya, but I don't think they have a full-blown dessert counter. I could be totally wrong, of course, as I am usually just snarfing other snacks there.

MEANWHILE: For Chinese foodstuffs, try emailing Anthony Chang at [email protected]! Or check out his monthly column at www.hawaii.rr.com, or http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/rev...g/csmshops.htm

OK, maybe it was because I was pregnant at the time, but I loved Fatty's (in a little side alley in Honolulu) chinese food. The saimin there was great. Inexpensive, too! Geez, I'm getting hungry!

BTW "Unlike ramen, saimin noodles contain egg and they aren't deep-fried. At their best, they are crinkly in appearance, served fresh, slightly al dente, in broth, with garnishes. In the Islands, saimin is cheap, fast, relatively healthy comfort food." from http://www.spiritofaloha.com/dineapril.html

Sigh, I know I am lucky to be here with a darling baby girl, but can't help envying you in Hawaii. Aloha and enjoy!

Hi Melissa...thanks for your referral to the latest hawaii.rr.com columnist....Anthony Chang, Esq.! I'm benefitting just as much as anyone else from your tips here. I will now expand my culinary repertoire another notch....Mui kwai cheung, a new must-try addition to fried rice. (rose vodka?)

Although not in the budget category, did you happen to read the review of Tokyo-Tokyo? Sounds fabulous. We're still fans of the new Little Village on Smith Street. Maybe not traditional, but fresh and interesting. And what do you think of the spicy ahi poke at Safeway Beretania? Roll it up with nori and a little rice....ono!

eh, huuui! Hi Kalena! Funny, huh, Anthony's photo there was obviously taken BEFORE he ate all that Chinese food!!! ha ha I wasn't sure what he was talking about with the pork and rose-flavored vodkas....I wanted to ask, "Is this 'fact or crap?'"--a game they play on the radio sometimes. hahaha

I saw that review of Tokyo Tokyo, but my eyes went straight to the price and I figured I might never get to taste that stuff unless I win big in Vegas. boo hoo

Ummmm...I gotta try that poke, sounds good!!! I haven't bought poke for so long, believe it or not. Is it better than Yama's or Tamashiro Market?

Aloha M'liss ! It is hard to beat Yama's and Tamashiro's for freshness and variety, and we are fans of Vinnie's too. But I haven't seen spicy ahi w/ the little tobiko eggs except in hand-rolls at all the ubiquitous locations (at 5x the price.) At Safeway B you can buy it by the 1/4 pound, etc. and make your own. They have perfected the recipe, and it *is * spicy! (Plus it's on my way home from work.) .......Pau hana!

SOLD! I think I will go there this week.

I am going to the Willows tonight and Maple Garden tomorrow night as we have relatives in town and you know how you have to take them to eat, etc. For me, this is the CHEAPEST eats of all, because my mom pays! ha ha

Kalena--that was some ono poke!!

Check out the latest column on good eats at
http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/rev...fbreakfast.htm

Hi Melissa, good to hear from you! T. Chang's column was once again so interesting! I was thinking he might enjoy checking out chowhound.com. I haven't logged on recently, but it's usually fun reading. Given T's culinary bent, he might even become a regular.

And I know where *my* family is heading for Sunday breakfast....Thanks!

If you do not mind eating at McDonalds once in a while for a quick meal, they have coupons in all the Fall tourist booklets that promote Big Mac's (two for one--about $3) Shakes (two for one--$2) or one dollar off on Great Value Meals (around $4) They never asked for our out of state ID's as required. This is really cheap, and taste as usual. Also, they are everywhere.

Topping for Rich.