Nakai Saimin is a newly opened saimin shop on the outskirts of downtown Honolulu. Opened in Aug. 2007, Nakai Saimin offers fresh, homemade noodles, both fried and in broth, along with a selection of plate lunches, burgers, sandwiches and deserts. It is located at 1329 Nuuanu Ave., one block makai (north) of Kukui Plaza and directly across the street from Hosoi Mortuary. It is also across the street from Harris Methodist Church, going makai (south) toward Papa John's and the row of restaurants, shops and bars.
Since it is one shop in a row of okazuya places, florists and other small establishments, the interior of Nakai Saimin is not the most spacious. There are four tables that seat four and two 2-person tables. From the threshold of the establishment, the kitchen's entrance can be seen, although it is blocked by a Japanese-style cloth door, parted in the center. On the left side of the restaurant a shoji door has been placed in an indentation in the wall and adds a little more ambiance to the rather spartan decor. The restaurant is air-conditioned and has a stationary fan that is angled down on the right side of the room.
There was only one woman working the dining room when I went. She had a thick Japanese accent and served as our hostess and waitress. From the lack of other workers, the place had a Mom and Pop feel. (When I asked her later if her husband did the cooking she said, firmly, that it was not her husband in the back.) |
