Slurping Up Oodles of Tasty Noodles

The Old Saimin House, where saimin and other local favorites rule the menu, is a nostalgic landmark for many locals who can’t resist the charm and tasty grinds offered here.

Tomizo and Mitsue Ikei, whose parents emigrated from Okinawa, opened the doors to The Saimin House in 1962 on North King Street. Today, fourth generation family members operate this family-run business, and although the name has changed to The Old Saimin House, the menu remains the same.

“We specialize in old-fashioned saimin,” says manager Lois Ikei. “We follow the same tradition of the local, old-fashioned saimin, which a lot of people are familiar with — it’s not ramen — but just the curly noodles with a bit of texture.

“Our menu is very simple, we try to promote simple, comfort food, and we’ve added additional selections to the menu as well,” she explains. “The Old Saimin House is a family-friendly restaurant — everyone loves saimin!”

In addition to the original saimin, diners can enjoy Wun Tun Min, Wun Tun, Udon, Wun Tun Udon, BBQ Sticks, Fried Saimin, Fried Udon, Fried Soba, Musubi and more.

“Our customers say our wun tun is very exceptional, and we have a lot of loyal customers who frequent the restaurant,” Ikei says. “They (patrons) come back time and time again for our fried noodles and, of course, our saimin.

“Our saimin broth is homemade and our noodles are brought in from Eagle Noodle Factory.”

Comfort Cravings

Serving the best in comfort food, The Old Saimin House has everything to satisfy every local craving.

Wun Tun Min (small $5.75, large $6.25, extra large $7.50)

Homemade wun tun (3 pieces, small; 5 pieces, large; 7 pieces, extra large) dumplings filled with pork and other secret ingredients, which Ikei makes and wraps herself, served in a bowl of saimin. The dish is then garnished with green onions and char siu.

Fried Saimin ($8.25)

A tasty favorite of fried saimin with savory pieces of char siu, kamaboko, cabbage and Spam, perfectly flavored with shoyu and other seasonings. No MSG.

BBQ Stick ($1.90)

Four tender pieces of teriyaki beef cooked on a Japanese charcoal hibachi grill is a favorite among customers and a must-have with a piping hot bowl of saimin.

The Old Saimin House