Visit Maui: Sam Sato's

When on Maui, Sam Sato's is a must-try if you're looking for local comfort food in a nostalgic setting.

It's hard to believe that I had never been to Sam Sato's prior to our recent family trip to Maui for Thanksgiving. I've been to Maui many times during my life, from small kid time to as an adult, yet I never made it here, until now! Everyone always talks about their dry-mein and manju. 

Upon seeing the entrance, I knew I would love this place. It's just like the old school saimin houses that we used to as a family on Oahu. There are very few remaining nowadays.

As we entered, we could see all the fresh manju and other pastries in the display case.  I was already thinking about what to get to-go on our way out.

Our food came out fairly quickly, which was great because we were hungry!

Check out what we all enjoyed: 

Hamburger (the son orders his burgers PLAIN, no sauces or fixings)

Saimin

BBQ sticks (beef)

Large Dry Noodles

The dashi served with dry noodles 

Vegetarian Omelette

The dry noodles were amazing! The noodles boiled, then tossed in a secret sauce, likely made of oil and soy sauce, and maybe a few other secret ingredients?  The noodles are made fresh on island from a factory in Paia. The noodles are thick and cooked perfectly. 

If you're wondering which one to order - dry noodles or soup saimin, I would go for the dry noodles, only because it's not something that you can get at many places (there are other places that make a version of dry noodles but most are pan fried). You just have to try the dry noodles from here, at least once.

On your way out, don't forget to buy a box of manju and turnovers for later. They often sell out, so to assure that you get some when you come here, I would suggest calling in your order ahead of time.  These are great as omiyage.

Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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SAM SATO'S
1750 WILI PA LOOP A
WAILUKU, HI 
808-244-7124

1750 Wili Pa Loop A, Wailuku, HI 96793
 

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Visit Hong Kong: Kee Wah Bakery

Kee Wah Bakery has multiple locations throughout Hong Kong, offering all sorts of baked treats.  We picked up a bunch for omiyage.

Kee Wah Bakery originated in Hong Kong and opened up locations in California. 

They had so many different types of cookies, but we ended up getting seaweed, almond, and gingerbread cookies. 

And of course we had to get some Panda cookies!

Kee Wah Bakery is a great stop for omiyage in Hong Kong!

Kee Wah Bakery

Shop 39, 8 Argyle St

Mong Kok, Hong Kong

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Visit Tokyo: Seibu

Seibu is an omiyage-lover's dream.  This department store chain offers typical department store offerings (clothes, accessories, etc.), but the basement in the Ikebukuro location was the only floor I needed to go to.

I primarily went to stop at the KitKat Chocolatory station, but as I was looking for it, I passed station after station of glorious treats - cookies, wafers, chocolates, and more.

I stopped at my favorite - Yoku Moku, and picked up the popular cigars.  

Then I stopped at many others, including Audrey (a new-to-me fave), Sugar Butter Tree, and Berne.

And yes, I did get KitKats (the selection was minimal compared to the Chocolatory in Ginza).

The staff members were all so nice, and the more I shopped, the more my number of bags grew, and with each stop different employees would give me bigger and bigger bags to help me hold all of my purchases.

Shopping at Seibu was a highlight of my trip!

Seibu
1 Chome-28-1 Minami

Ikebukuro

Toshima City, Tokyo 171-8569, Japan

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Visit Hong Kong: Jenny Bakery

Jenny Bakery's crispy, buttery cookies have gained such a huge following, that extremely long lines form at the bakeries.  These long lines spurned a black market in Hong Kong.  You'll see "imitations" at pretty much every grocer, convenience store, and souvenir shop in Hong Kong, as well as Jenny Bakery's actual cookies being sold by "scalpers," but marked up really high or near their expiry date.

There was a Jenny's Bakery location near our hotel, so we decided to check it out.

It opened at 1000am, and we got there at 1015am. The line was already over 100 people long! I was astounded!

As I walked down hallways and turned corners, it seemed like the line never ended.

We stood at the back of the line, and almost immediately my kids wanted to go back to the hotel. Undeterred, I got one of my kids to stay in line with me.

Thankfully, the line moved really quickly, and it only took 15 minutes to get to the front, where the line broke up into 4 lanes to speed things up.

It's cash only, and I ended up getting a couple of tins of butter cookies (I would see other customers leave with 10 tins at a time).

I thought they were good - really buttery and not too sweet.

I don't know if I would stand in a line longer than 15 minutes for them, but it's worth trying to see what all the fuss is about.

Jenny Bakery
Mirador Mansion
號舖, 彌敦道62號，

美麗都大廈1樓42, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

 

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Choco le'a: April Specials

Thank you to our sponsor for the complimentary products!

Choco leʻa is one of my favorite small local businesses on Oahu. Not only do they make high quality and unique chocolate products, but every time I've visited the shop, it's been such a pleasant experience. 

The shop is located in Manoa, a block from Manoa Marketplace. 

Inside you'll find all of their chocolate offering neatly displayed.

In March 2024, they debuted soft cream....

Japanese soft cream, to be exact, made with Hokkaido milk powder! Choose between Choco leʻa Chocolate, Hokkaido Cream Vanilla, and swirl. If you want to take this up a notch, ask for their  housemade chocolate cut up (sauce).  It's so refreshing, creamy and delicious!

But the main reason for my coming here today was to pick up a bag of chocolates to share with you all. Ready for it?!

Here it is, the specials for the month of April!

April Specials 

 

Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookie

3 PC Truffle Box

Solid 72% Dark Chocolate Bar

Dark Chocolate Melts

Dark Chocolate Nut Mix

Oreo Cream Cheese Cake Pop

Here's a closer look at each item:

Chocolate melts - dark chocolate ganache pieces, dusted in fine cocoa powder. These are really rich!!

Oreo Cake Pop (with chocolate melts bottom right)

Shortbread Cookie - this is a collaboration with Hokulani Bakeshop, another small locally owned biz!)

3PC truffle box - Macallan 12, Orange Creamsicle, and Melina - all yummy!

72% Dark Chocolate Bar - according to their website, this is soy-free, dairy-free, and packed with health benefits! 

Dark Chocolate Nut Mix - salty pistachios, soft pecans, and crunch almonds - more health benefits! Those who like the sweet and salty combo will love this one!

You can buy the April Specials Bundle for $59.99 which includes one of each item. You can also purchase the items separately. 

With Administrative Professionals' Day coming up on April 24, 2024, purchase the bundle for the hard-working, deserving APs in your life, or buy it to thank yourself - you deserve it! :)

Current Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Shipping to the neighbor islands and continental U.S. is available.

Visit their website for more information. 

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Choco leʻa
2909 Lowrey Avenue

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