Prices have gone up! Almost $15 for such a small portion of fried noodles. Not worth it. Best to go elsewhere. Also, almost $17 for 8 pieces of chicken wings. If craving fried noodles, drive to waipahu and head to leeward drive inn for more for your money. Also, cashier isn't the most welcoming person. No smiles at all. Disappointing but at least I know not to ever go back.
Lynn H.
Mochiko chicken and chicken wings are delicious. Some of the banchan are delicious but some not! Service is excellent, they never make a mistake on your order. Pretty lady at the counter knows her stuff!! She no fool around man!
Charla Tsukada
The food is great ? Pick up a pan of their chicken wings if you're going to a pot luck gathering. It's delicious and everyone will love them. The mochico chicken and the fish jun are good too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher T.
I've wanted to try Sam's for quite a while now but the parking can be challenging. We finally found ourselves nearby late one night and there was parking right in front. I tried their Meat Jun and Chicken Katsu. Both were great. Katsu nice a crunchy. The meat jun very tender. Best of all the banchan had taste. You don't really have choices with the Kim Chee restaurants and you're lucky when Yummy / Pearl have any taste. Hope I get lucky with the parking again, soon.
Robert E
It was ok. Got a mochiko chicken plate since a lot of people seem to have good things to say about it. It was pretty average. The portion size was decent for the price, but the taste wasn’t very memorable. The sides were as expected, except for the kimchee. It was very watery tasting. I tried my friend’s meat jun and that one tasted pretty good. If I ever return again, I would get the meat jun.
Cobey Y.
Food is good but portions could be a little bigger for the price. It's conveniently located in Nuuanu but parking is very limited.
Garrett N.
Good Korean takeout. Favorite is the chicken wings. Super tasty, Crunchy, and meaty. Always get the 4 mondoo for$1.69 more, and no rice, extra veggies. If you call, the lady isn't the friendliest, but that could just be because she's always busy. She was really nice when she talked to my 7 year old daughter. Idk why Korean food is so expensive these days, but I would say their prices are competitive. With the convenience of being close to downtown, it's a winner.
Haley A.
I've been past Sam's countless times but never felt compelled to go in, mostly because the parking situation is not ideal. However, Frolic Hawaii published an article that listed Sam's as a favorite place for chicken wings. As someone who loves chicken wings, like literally crave it a few times a month, I just had to go see for myself. Like most small run shops, you might not always find the friendliest service, but doesn't bother me too much if I'm just looking to get my food and get out anyways. The lady rushed me a little bit but I knew what I wanted anyways: the chicken wing plate. The plate comes with 6 pieces and 4 sides but the ala carte comes with 8. It took roughly 10-15 mins, but the smell was mouthwatering and well worth the wait. The chicken was hot, amazingly crunchy, and undeniably juicy; literally perfection. And the pieces were huge! I was able to go turn my plate into two large meals for myself. The sides were alright, nothing amazing, but I will be dreaming of this chicken. I heard the kalbi and meat jun is amazing here too, I'll be braving the parking one day again soon.
Harold Bray
MOCHIKO CHICKEN!!!THIS HOLE-IN-DA-WALL IS DA LUNCH SPOT,AND THEIR PLATES ARE VERY HEFTY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa A.
Lots of compliments when we served pans of chicken wings & meat Jhun. Really happy they were able to do one pan all wings and one pan mix for the chicken wings.
One of the food ordered was the tofu soup. Numerous times, we asked that the soup not be spicy or mild when we ordered. Upon tasting it at home, it WAS spicy (mild). This wouldn't be a problem if I was the one eating it but food was meant for someone who can't consume spicy foods. Aside from that, the food portion was very disappointing. Meat jun was decently sized but the fish Jun was extremely thin with only 4 pieces. A lot has changed in the past decade as far as pricing and food portions that this restraunt had to offer. We'll never come back here again.Parking: Limited narrow parking stalls in front of restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fish Jun and Meat Jun
Wendy N.
No smile, no welcome when you walk in to give the business business. Since I haven't been to Sam's for three years, I decided to give it a try. Ordered the Teri Pork. The pork was tough and a little burnt. The side dishes of macaroni salad, long rice, kimchee, and seaweed were ok in taste. The macaroni salad was macaroni with Mayo.The prices have gone up. Handwritten new prices covering the old prices are pasted all over the menu. Boxes are piled up high. The restaurant needs a good cleaning and organization. After this experience, I don't plan to return.
Dresma D.
I've been coming here for years but because I moved out of a Liliha area I don't frequent the establishment much but when I do food is always on par. I order the family pack #1 or #2. Food is worth and feeds the family for 2 days. Prices went up but so is everything. Owners are always there and very nice. So limited stalls but you can definitely park in the back too. What I like is fast service you phone in they tell you 15-20 minutes and the food is done not that time. I don't hesitate to go to places with fast and friendly service.
Tee M.
I don't go anymore because the parking sucks. For years I would park in the former Walgreens parking lot and had no problem. Now Walgreens is closed and the parking lot is empty but for some reason a security guard told me to leave last time I parked there. The parking in front is limited and is so tight. Google Earth it and you can see how tight it is. The electric pole is in the way and sometimes a big truck will park and I can't even pass to park. Sad because the food was good but not so good that it was worth playing Russian Roulette with the parking every time. I prefer going to someplace where there is guaranteed parking. Sorry Sam. Maybe try talking to the management at the shopping center.
Robert
Although the staff may come off as unpleasant and pushy at times, the local Korean style food is very good. Not the besr place to sit and eat but the take out plates are superb. Your guests will not be disappointed if you order the party platters. The Korean fried chicken wings are one of the best on the island.
Prices have gone up! Almost $15 for such a small portion of fried noodles. Not worth it. Best to go elsewhere. Also, almost $17 for 8 pieces of chicken wings. If craving fried noodles, drive to waipahu and head to leeward drive inn for more for your money. Also, cashier isn't the most welcoming person. No smiles at all. Disappointing but at least I know not to ever go back.
Mochiko chicken and chicken wings are delicious. Some of the banchan are delicious but some not! Service is excellent, they never make a mistake on your order. Pretty lady at the counter knows her stuff!! She no fool around man!
The food is great ? Pick up a pan of their chicken wings if you're going to a pot luck gathering. It's delicious and everyone will love them. The mochico chicken and the fish jun are good too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've wanted to try Sam's for quite a while now but the parking can be challenging. We finally found ourselves nearby late one night and there was parking right in front. I tried their Meat Jun and Chicken Katsu. Both were great. Katsu nice a crunchy. The meat jun very tender. Best of all the banchan had taste. You don't really have choices with the Kim Chee restaurants and you're lucky when Yummy / Pearl have any taste. Hope I get lucky with the parking again, soon.
It was ok. Got a mochiko chicken plate since a lot of people seem to have good things to say about it. It was pretty average. The portion size was decent for the price, but the taste wasn’t very memorable. The sides were as expected, except for the kimchee. It was very watery tasting. I tried my friend’s meat jun and that one tasted pretty good. If I ever return again, I would get the meat jun.
Food is good but portions could be a little bigger for the price. It's conveniently located in Nuuanu but parking is very limited.
Good Korean takeout. Favorite is the chicken wings. Super tasty, Crunchy, and meaty. Always get the 4 mondoo for$1.69 more, and no rice, extra veggies. If you call, the lady isn't the friendliest, but that could just be because she's always busy. She was really nice when she talked to my 7 year old daughter. Idk why Korean food is so expensive these days, but I would say their prices are competitive. With the convenience of being close to downtown, it's a winner.
I've been past Sam's countless times but never felt compelled to go in, mostly because the parking situation is not ideal. However, Frolic Hawaii published an article that listed Sam's as a favorite place for chicken wings. As someone who loves chicken wings, like literally crave it a few times a month, I just had to go see for myself. Like most small run shops, you might not always find the friendliest service, but doesn't bother me too much if I'm just looking to get my food and get out anyways. The lady rushed me a little bit but I knew what I wanted anyways: the chicken wing plate. The plate comes with 6 pieces and 4 sides but the ala carte comes with 8. It took roughly 10-15 mins, but the smell was mouthwatering and well worth the wait. The chicken was hot, amazingly crunchy, and undeniably juicy; literally perfection. And the pieces were huge! I was able to go turn my plate into two large meals for myself. The sides were alright, nothing amazing, but I will be dreaming of this chicken. I heard the kalbi and meat jun is amazing here too, I'll be braving the parking one day again soon.
MOCHIKO CHICKEN!!!THIS HOLE-IN-DA-WALL IS DA LUNCH SPOT,AND THEIR PLATES ARE VERY HEFTY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lots of compliments when we served pans of chicken wings & meat Jhun. Really happy they were able to do one pan all wings and one pan mix for the chicken wings.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the food ordered was the tofu soup. Numerous times, we asked that the soup not be spicy or mild when we ordered. Upon tasting it at home, it WAS spicy (mild). This wouldn't be a problem if I was the one eating it but food was meant for someone who can't consume spicy foods. Aside from that, the food portion was very disappointing. Meat jun was decently sized but the fish Jun was extremely thin with only 4 pieces. A lot has changed in the past decade as far as pricing and food portions that this restraunt had to offer. We'll never come back here again.Parking: Limited narrow parking stalls in front of restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fish Jun and Meat Jun
No smile, no welcome when you walk in to give the business business. Since I haven't been to Sam's for three years, I decided to give it a try. Ordered the Teri Pork. The pork was tough and a little burnt. The side dishes of macaroni salad, long rice, kimchee, and seaweed were ok in taste. The macaroni salad was macaroni with Mayo.The prices have gone up. Handwritten new prices covering the old prices are pasted all over the menu. Boxes are piled up high. The restaurant needs a good cleaning and organization. After this experience, I don't plan to return.
I've been coming here for years but because I moved out of a Liliha area I don't frequent the establishment much but when I do food is always on par. I order the family pack #1 or #2. Food is worth and feeds the family for 2 days. Prices went up but so is everything. Owners are always there and very nice. So limited stalls but you can definitely park in the back too. What I like is fast service you phone in they tell you 15-20 minutes and the food is done not that time. I don't hesitate to go to places with fast and friendly service.
I don't go anymore because the parking sucks. For years I would park in the former Walgreens parking lot and had no problem. Now Walgreens is closed and the parking lot is empty but for some reason a security guard told me to leave last time I parked there. The parking in front is limited and is so tight. Google Earth it and you can see how tight it is. The electric pole is in the way and sometimes a big truck will park and I can't even pass to park. Sad because the food was good but not so good that it was worth playing Russian Roulette with the parking every time. I prefer going to someplace where there is guaranteed parking. Sorry Sam. Maybe try talking to the management at the shopping center.
Although the staff may come off as unpleasant and pushy at times, the local Korean style food is very good. Not the besr place to sit and eat but the take out plates are superb. Your guests will not be disappointed if you order the party platters. The Korean fried chicken wings are one of the best on the island.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3