Tia's Taste of Samoa — Restaurant in Honolulu

I'm from Pago Pago, AS so this place we found in Kalihi is worth the trip! We're practically regulars at KS Mart and Tammy's - both stores look like they have Samoan cooks. The people operating Tia's Taste of Samoa restaurant are what I remember about mom & pop/family businesses in Samoa. Very friendly, super kind & always throwing in an on-the-house treat just for stopping by to see them.

This is my 2nd time at this shop & our go-to are the German buns (jam-in-buns) because they're the big ones, the mini plate of taro & corned beef brisket, large plate of fa'i, sapasui, kale mamoe & samoan sosisi. Got some cold Coca-Cola to finish off the home-made meal. The couple gave us a mini-pan of pagipopo, fresh out of the oven & on the house.

And we just had to grab suafa'i and pagikeke Samoa to take home for our parents! Prices are exactly what I expect because with all the food plus 3 drinks, our total was less than $60.

Also enjoyed our conversations with the couple & finding out that they moved here a little over a year ago.

Ohhh and before I forget, they had beautiful puletasi's hanging for sale! So we will be back for food and samoan puletasi's - some are the stretchy material and some are of the classic/original printed materials.

DOWNSIDE - you're parking on the side of the road but if you know your way around, there are so many options. Park in front of other buildings ae la'a la'a ifo i le Tia's Taste...

Passed by this little hole in the wall and luckily found street parking. If there wasn't parking, I would've kept driving. I've never had Samoan food so this was a first though I was not getting for me, but a surprise for the Mr. I was warmly greeted by the owners. It was around 10am and no customers yet. All plates come w sapa sui. I'm Thai and we make something similar but not similar w the noodles. I chose Luau mamoe for the one entree as well as the taro. I don't eat meat but the Mr said it was good (he's half Samoan). Apparently the lamb stew is the top seller, but I love taro and wanted to try a part. As I was leaving, the owner beckoned me and offered a couple sweets (similar to Okinawa rolls. It was good! Also another danish-type with coconut. Their hospitality is what will keep me coming back if I'm looking for...

Stumbled upon this place today & I’m so glad we did! This is a family owned restaurant & the couple that served us was so sweet and had great customer service.

The samoan oka was so good! The fish was so fresh we literally went back for seconds. We also had the ulu (breadfruit) & sapasui and both did not disappoint. Definitely a delicious taste of home. Also, the restaurant doesn’t open until 9am but we had gotten there right before 8 and they still took our order. We went back later for the kale mamoe (lamb curry), taro, povi masima (brisket) & chop suey. I highly recommend this place. We’ll definitely be...