Palace Saimin began with the vision of a young entrepreneur, Kame Ige, who immigrated from Okinawa in 1924. In 1946, Mrs. Ige opened her restaurant and named it after the nearby Palace Theater on the corner of Keʻeaumoku and Beretania Streets. The restaurant later moved to Kalihi, eventually settling into its current location, where it has become a beloved local institution.
In 1980, Mrs. Ige passed the restaurant to her trusted waitress, Setsuko Arakaki, who carried on the tradition until 2010. Her daughter, Susan Nakagawa, and husband Scott then took the helm, continuing the legacy with deep respect for its history.
To preserve the heart of Palace Saimin, Susan and Scott meticulously documented the cherished dashi recipe measuring every ingredient, timing every step, and learning directly from Setsuko. With guidance and honest feedback from Setsuko and longtime waitress Yoshiko Takahashi, they brewed multiple pots daily for four months until the recipe was perfected and approved.
Today, Palace Saimin remains committed to the same consistency, care, and quality that have defined it for generations.
