Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [104]
4201 Rice St., Lihue. 80 8/245-4991. Main courses $4.50–$8 breakfast, $7.50–$8.50 lunch. MC, V. Mon–Fri 5am–1pm; Sat 5–11am.
Genki Sushi SUSHI This affordable chain is a great place to take the family: The sushi is inexpensive, and it’s fun to select as it circulates the counter on a conveyor belt. Prices are based on the color of the plate containing the sushi: Gold plates (which have items like tamago, a green salad, miso soup, and tofu) are $1.55; green (ahi poke, spicy tuna, mochi ice cream) $2.30; red (hamachi, ahi, ebi sushi) $2.90; silver (dragon roll) $3.95; and black (ahi sashimi, ikura, rainbow roll) $4.95. The sushi is continually made fresh and added to the conveyor belt.
Kukui Grove Shopping Center, 3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy., Lihue. 80 8/632-2450. Sushi plates $1.55–$4.95. MC, V. Sun–Thurs 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm.
Hamura’s Saimin Stand SAIMIN If there were a saimin hall of fame, Hamura’s would be in it. It’s a cultural experience, a renowned saimin stand where fans line up to take their places over steaming bowls of this island specialty at a few U-shaped counters that haven’t changed in decades. The saimin and teriyaki barbecue sticks attract an all-day, late-night, pre- and post-movie crowd. The noodles come heaped with vegetables, wontons, hard-boiled eggs, sweetened pork, vegetables, and condiments. We love the casualness of Hamura’s and the simple pleasures it consistently delivers.
2956 Kress St., Lihue. 80 8/245-3271. Most items less than $9. No credit cards. Mon–Thurs 10am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–midnight; Sun 10am–9pm.
Hanamaulu Restaurant CHINESE/JAPANESE/SUSHI When passing this restaurant, you’d never know that serene Japanese gardens with stone pathways and tatami-floored teahouses are hidden within. You can dine at the sushi bar, American style, or in the teahouse for lunch or dinner (the teahouse requires reservations). At lunch enter a world of chop suey, wontons, teriyaki chicken, and sukiyaki (less verve than value), with many other choices in budget-friendly Japanese and Chinese plate lunches. Special Japanese and Chinese menus can be planned ahead for groups of up to 60 people, who can dine at low tables on tatami floors in a Japanese-garden setting. Old-timers love this place, and those who came here in diapers now stop in for after-golf pupu and beer.
3-4291 Kuhio Hwy., Hanamaulu. 80 8/245-2511. Reservations recommended. Main courses $6–$15. MC, V. Tues–Fri 10am–1pm; Tues–Sun 5–8:30pm.
Kalapaki Beach Hut AMERICAN Tricky to find, but what a savings for your wallet! (Hint: Look for an anchor chain in front of a blue building.) Opened in 1990 by Steve and Sharon Gerald as Kalapaki Beach Burgers, the tiny eatery started adding more items and then evolved into serving breakfast. This “hut” has window service, a few tables downstairs, and more tables upstairs (with an ocean view out the screen windows). The basic fare is served on paper plates with plastic cutlery at cheap, cheap prices. Breakfasts are hearty omelets, pancakes, and numerous egg dishes. Lunches are heavy on the hamburgers (prepared 10 different ways), lots of sandwiches, a few healthy salads, and fish and chips. Kids get their own menu in a smaller portion size. This casual restaurant welcomes people in their bathing suits and slippers.
3474 Rice St., Nawiliwili. 80 8/246-6330. Breakfast $4.50–$8.50; lunch $5–$9. MC, V. Daily 7am–8pm.
Restaurant Kiibo JAPANESE Neither a sleek sushi bar nor a plate-lunch canteen, Kiibo is a neighborhood staple with inexpensive, unpretentious, tasty, home-style Japanese food served in a pleasant room accented with Japanese folk art. You can dine on sushi, ramen, sukiyaki, tempura, teriyaki, or the steamed egg-rice-vegetable marvel called oyako donburi. There are satisfying, affordable lunch specials and teishoku specials of mackerel,