Category Archives: Paia

Wabisabi Paia Soba and Sushi

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I’ve only been to Wabi Sabi twice now, but I’m really liking this place. And I think the name is pretty accurate too. It’s an unusual outdoor space between two buildings, but worked out with intention and thought and made very comfortable. I love just being in there. Even the bathroom is pretty wonderful in a cute way.

Primarily Wabi Sabi is known for their soba noodles. I’m known to really really like soba noodles. That’s what first drew me in. And the soba was really pretty good. But could it be a bit thicker? I mean, they’re the soba experts. But, I mean, just a little bigger? I’m not saying these should be udon noods, and I’m not like the Soba King here at all. I just like soba. So, like, maybe offer two sizes? I’d really dig them more if they were just a little tiny bit thicker. OK. But that’s me. Maybe not you. But if I could choose, I’d say thicker. Just sayin.

Cold Soba

Come for the soba for sure – it’s got a nice kinda rough texture and some definite bite and the few versions I’ve tried have either a light cold broth or a dark hot meat broth – both really tasty. I prefer the cold, especially on a hot Pa’ia day. And my pro tip here – even though I’m not a soba pro! – is to pour just enough soba sauce into your bowl so that you don’t have too much at the end. Then, you can drink up the last part after you’ve chopsticked all of your noodles out. You’ll find some strands of nori, maybe a few sprouts, some tempura crumbs, and, if you ordered well, a wisp or two of that silky bright orange yolk from the onsen egg that was sitting on top. That last slurp, lip to bowl, really seals the deal.

Beyond the soba, there’s really a decently large menu. There’s sushi and sashimi – all very fresh and tasty, Like any restaurant serving fish on Maui, I with they’d call out which is local. Do we really need to be flying in fish to Maui? Anyway, the cooked mackerel is fantastic!

Mackerel

And the veggie winner is for sure the tofu salad (apparently the tofu is from Japan, which maybe be why it’s so light and fluffy, but that seems a long way for refrigerated food).

Tofu Salad

I wasn’t really as enamored of the nasu (eggplant) miso as I was hoping – the version over at Nuka pretty much blows this one out of the water.

Nasu Miso

The vibe is a really relaxing mix of well-executed Japanese restaurant on a backdrop of chill Pa’ia. I think they kinda nailed it, frankly. I know this is a relative newcomer on a street of bars and pizza and ice cream, but in a lot of ways it just feels most right here.

Wabisabi Pa’ia

Website: https://wabisabihawaii.com/php/restaurant.php

Address:

161 Hana Hwy

Paia, HI 96779

+1 808 318-3342

Paia Fish Market – Paia and Kihei

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Paia Fish Market has occupied a prominent corner in Paia for as long as I can remember, and always pumped out dependable food. Sometime in the last decade, they multiplied out their simple formula and opened additional locations – and they work just as well.

The deal here is pretty simple: Choose a type of fish and a preparation, and then sides. I recommend always checking to see what’s local and fresh – it’ll taste better, support local Maui fishermen, and probably be healthier fish.

If you don’t want a piece of fish with slaw and sides, you’ve got a few other options like burgers and fish or chicken tacos. Again, all dependably good if not earth-shattering or unusual.

The best burger is the off-menu Obama burger – I think it’s blackened ono with butter. He knew what he was doing here.

I don’t consider this place gourmet, but it’s not too expensive and it’s also great for take-out. It’s also much better than the a lot of the restaurants along Kihei Road, so if you’re in Kihei looking for a casual, reasonably priced, dependable meal, you could do a lot worse than Paia Fish Market.

Here’s the Paia location:

100 Hana Highway, Paia HI 96779

And here’s the Kihei location:

1913 South Kihei Road, Kihei HI 96753