Shiro’s Saimin Haven
Saimin, poetry and memories
Shiro’s Saimin Haven honors its founder Franz Shiro “Mistah Saimin” Matsuo with a Founder’s Day special on Tuesday, April 9 – enjoy the Small Saimin with Garnishes for only 94 cents all day long. The dish is normally priced at $3.85, but Shiro, who passed away last May would’ve turned 94 last month, so the…
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A Haven for Flavors New & Old
As many will remember, Shiro’s Saimin Haven has been in the same spot in Waimalu Shopping Center since the 1970s. And the restaurant, which opened its first location in Aiea in the 1960s, has been serving up many of the same goods since then. Throughout the years, Shiro’s has remained a go-to spot for saimin…
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Oh, Wow, Lau Lau!
In the eyes of a devout food enthusiast, nothing says “Hawaii” more than a festive spread of “ono kine grindz,” including a bowl of sticky poi with a lot of texture, lomi salmon bursting with refreshing flavor, hearty kalua pig and, of course, you gotta have the lau lau! Imagine earthy and rich luau leaves…
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A “Haven” of Great Food
With the cold weather persisting, revisit the warmth of a steaming bowl of saimin at Shiro’s Saimin Haven — you have 65 options to choose from. Not to mention, you’ll feel right at home. “The one thing that patrons will notice are the poems on the wall, and those were all written by Shiro himself,”…
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Shiro’s Saimin Haven
Always wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience. This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoops from Shiro’s Saimin Haven’s head chef…
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Livin’ for Liver
Turkey, stuffing, cornbread, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping … Wow, flashbacks of your Thanksgiving feast, right? Are you full yet? Because I sure am! Since when has Thanksgiving gone from being a day when we give thanks for all that we have to a day when we eat everything in sight?…
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Stubborn as an Ox for Oxtail
It could be because I was born in the Year of the Ox, but I just can’t get enough of oxtail — oxtail soup, oxtail stew, oxtail saimin, you name it, I’m all over it. As a local culinary standby, oxtail is adored by generations. Usually served in a soup or stew, oxtail is the…
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A Whole Lot of Slurping Going On at Shiro’s Saimin Haven
Just when you thought saimin was simple, think again. Shiro’s Saimin Haven is a thriving saimin monopoly that has put a spin on your local legendary noodle dish. With its restaurant headquarters in Waimalu Shopping Center in Aiea, Shiro’s has been serving generation after generation the ultimate best in comfort food — everything from its…
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Shiro’s Salute to Tasty Appetizers
What’s not to like about Shiro’s Saimin Haven? The walls of the famed family eatery are covered with the art work of dozens of keiki who recreate their favorite bowl of steaming noodles in crayon. Next to those are the collection “best of” winners plaques and the inspirational messages that remind us we won’t be…
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Saimin and Beyond
Shiro’s Saimin Haven has given what used to be a simple noodle dish personality. Franz “Shiro” Matsuo or Mistah Saimin, who died recently at age 93, glamorized saimin, making it artful and personalized. Shiro’s Saimin is consistent in its use of ingredients, making sure freshness is key. Even with dozens of affordable and unique saimin…
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