Tajima Ramen Maui — Restaurant in Maui

Delicious ramen and some vegan options, too!

This place came recommended on some Reddit chats and based on the good reviews I decided to give it a try. I was happy to see a variety of options on the menu, including a vegan option. The prices are also incredibly reasonable given how much food they give you. My partner and I both left stuffed and we each only had our meals, no apps or sushi rolls.

Service/atmosphere: The moment you walk through the door you’re greeted by every staff member in the front of the restaurant. Makes you immediately feel welcomed. The second thing I noticed was the smell. The broth from the ramen perfumes the entire dining room. It smells rich, warm, and complex. They say we eat with our sense and I found this to be particularly true - based on the smell alone I couldn’t wait to grab my seat at the bar and submit my order.

Cleanliness: The entire restaurant was very clean, which is a feat given how packed and busy the place was.

Food: The ramen was a treat from beginning to end. The broth is fragrant, rich with umami, and seasoned well. The noodles have a great texture and filled with a subtle wheat flavor. The corn adds sweetness, the mushrooms give texture and a grounding earthiness, and the pork was tender and rich. The fried garlic was more like garlic chips. They added a lot of texture to the meal and a slightly bitter taste. I found the entire meal to be balanced, filling, and enjoyable.

At the end of my meal I was so full, even though I wanted to order more to try additional items, I couldn’t order more. I ended up having the yuzu sorbet. It was truly the perfect ending to the meal. The brightness of the citrus cleansed the palate and was super light.

Overall: I’d definitely go back to Tajima and am excited to think about what else I’d order. If you’re a local or just passing through on vacation I’d give this...

Tajima Ramen was founded in 2001 in San Diego, CA. This is their sole Hawai'i location.

ATMOSPHERE: Located in Kukui Mall, they've taken over the former Thailand Cuisine spot. Counter and plenty of low top seating, in a modern and bright design. An open-view room off to the side proudly displays a processing machine for their homemade noodles, though it wasn't in action during our dining.

MENU: Izakaya-style apps, ramen in two broths, rice bowls and desserts. BYOB.

FOOD: Takoyaki (8 pcs.) Of the two pieces I had, one had the tiniest piece of octopus inside while the other had nothing. The majority of the insides were a pasty fish cake-like filling that seemed to be underdone.

Gyoza (6 pcs.) Though not the thickest of dumplings, they had a good sear to the skins and moisture-rich filling.

Pork Chashu Fried Rice This recipe is definitely in my top 5 of best fried rice dishes. Crazy flavorful with savory bits of chashu, frozen mixed veggies that worked and silky rice. Highly recommended.

Tajima Black Served piping hot, the creamy broth had a flat taste, with the burnt garlic oil not adding any enhancement. I almost nixed the corn but glad I didn't as they were sinfully buttery. The thickest chashu ever to don a bowl was also flavorless, but the half gooey egg was the best of any ramen shop on Maui. Lastly, the thin "HM", or homemade noodles, I'm guessing, not my favorite as they lacked that eggy flavor I crave. The spouse and I call these kind of noodles "spaghetti" due to their similar flavor profile.

SERVICE: Immediate and welcoming greeting (and farewell). Everyone was friendly, gracious and professional.

TIP: Their San Diego locations serve egg noodles.

OVERALL: Fair pricing. I'd come back for...

Tajima Ramen Maui is a local treasure that I can’t get enough of. Every bowl of ramen is pure perfection, starting with the broth—a full spectrum of flavor that’s rich, savory, and utterly addictive. It’s velvety, comforting, and crafted with such care that you can taste the layers of complexity in every sip. It’s the kind of flavor that lingers in your mind and keeps you coming back for more.

The noodles are always cooked just right, with that perfect chewiness that absorbs all the deliciousness of the broth. The toppings are top-notch, from the tender, melt-in-your-mouth chashu to the creamy, soft-boiled egg and crisp, fresh greens. You can tell the team here prioritizes quality and consistency in every detail.

As a Maui local, I’ve tried ramen all over the island, but Tajima is in a league of its own. It’s my go-to spot, whether I’m craving a cozy dinner after a long day or picking up takeout for the family. The service is fast, friendly, and efficient, and even when they’re busy, everything runs seamlessly.

Tajima isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Each visit feels like a treat, and the food is so good it’s become part of my weekly routine. If you’re in Kihei and haven’t been here yet, you’re missing out on the best ramen on Maui. Highly recommended for locals and...