I came across Star Noodle on Tripadvisor (ranked #10 in Lahaina) and with pretty decent reviews on Yelp (4/5 with 509 reviews) and Urbanspoon (92%), Star Noodle seemed like a good choice. Its website also indicated that Star Noodle's Chef Sheldon Simeon has recently won "The People's Best New Chef" in the Northwest & Pacific region from Food & Wine Magazine. Their online menu shows tapas-style plates with a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai ingredients, and with chef Simeon's Hawaiian background, I was excited about Star Noodle.
Star Noodle is located at a really remote area away from all the tourist-y shops and restaurants in Lahaina.
Food & Wine Magazine displayed at the entrance.
A long communal table in the middle with smaller tables surrounding the perimeter.
At the bar.
We waited for around 20 minutes for a table. We were surprised at how busy it was considering it was a Tuesday night.
My friends' cocktails:
Sweet Tea Cooler (left) - Sweet Tea Vodka, Shochu, muddled lemon, sprite
Red Lantern (right) - Lychee liqueur, Nigori Sake, cranberry juice
My Gekkeikan Nigori ($13)
Our server explained to us that the menu items are meant to be shared. I asked how many plates he recommend for three people, he told us around four to five. We were three very hungry Asians so we ordered eight dishes in total =)
Local Saimin - Wafu Dashi Broth, Spam, Kamaboko, Green Onions ($8)
Namul - Kimchee, Watercress, Takuan, Ogo, Shiitake ($6)
Organic Buckwheat Soba - Daikon, Wasabi, Scallion, Ginger, Tsuyu ($9)
Karaage Chicken - Su Miso Mustard Sauce ($7)
Brussel Sprouts - Pan roasted, Bacon, Napa Cabbage Kim Chee Puree ($9)
Steamed Pork Buns - Duroc Pressed Pork, Hoisin, Shiitake, Cucumber ($10)
Served hot, these buns were really soft and fluffy. The pork was fatty, juicy and well seasoned.
Vietnamese Crepe - Shrimp, Pork, Bean Sprouts, Nuoc Cham ($12)
Malasadas - Chocolate and Butterscotch Caramel Sauces, Peanuts ($5)
We were all stuffed and very happy with our meal last night. My favourites were the Steamed Pork Buns, Vietnamese crepe, Brussels Sprouts and the Malasadas, dishes that were also highly recommended by online reviewers.
Extremely good value at Star Noodle as their portions were huge; three big pork buns for $10? The Vietnamese Crepe, packed with pork and shrimp for $12? The ginormous plate of Karaage chicken for $7? Dessert for only $5? I cannot imagine Toronto charging the same prices for these tapas. No way. And our bill, after taxes and before tips, came to $107. For three people with alcohol and food, and most importantly, in Hawaii, we all thought our dinner was phenomenal. Tummy and wallet both satisfied! =D
