Maui Manapua

Didn’t like it much. Not my favorite here on the island. The black pepper noodles were good though so I’d give that a 3 ½ stars if I could choose which food to post about.

Greasy pork hash and the manapua was very lopsided… mostly bao on one side and meat on the other. Chow fun was also on the greasy side and pretty flavorless. Prices were expensive considering the quality. I asked about any specials for buying more and the person helping me was very clueless. If you’re going to bring any stuff from this place off-​island, there are no specials. They only «pack it carefully for you.» Those were the worker’s exact words. Don’t know if I’d give this place a second chance.

I love me some manapua… Love the location at the maui lani shopping ctr & theres plenty of parking, very small & limited choices.
I had the baked charsui & steamed kalua pig… I was very disappointed due to being very dry inside & served kind of cold.
It was my first time going there to try their manapua, we dont have much places down here that sells manapua. Chun Wah Kam is my all time fav place to get my manapua (sadly its only on oahu), so im hoping next time i do a stop by there it will be better then my first time.
$ 1.99 per manapua …

When I need a manapua fix, I come here. Baked or steamed. Seems since the store opened the management has made improvements based on feedback from customers. The only feedback I have now is that it would be awesome if they also sold coffee so I wouldn’t have to go two places or choose if I’m pinched for time «coffee or manapua?» I would probably reroute my way to work and come by more often if they did.

My husband and I stopped in yesterday for a late lunch before barbecuing last evening. We each got a steamed char siu manapua, and shared a large chow fun. The lady behind the counter was very friendly, and filled our order quickly and efficiently. There was no line on the Maui Manapua side, and a HUGE line for shave ice at Ululani’s. Makes sense; it was around 3:00 PM.
The manapua were good; the bun itself was fresh-​tasting, and the char siu was good. I like it a little sweeter and saucier, and this was a little drier, with more prominent garlic flavor. This is just personal preference, though! I still demolished it.
The chow fun, however… I could NOT put it down! Wide, long noodles, with the perfect amount of sauce, and generous pieces of pork. The amount of sprouts were perfect too; not too many, but just enough to give it some bite every once in a while.
For an inexpensive lunch, we’re lucky to have Maui Manapua in town!

I cannot give them enough stars! I work close by their shop, so I’m always there for lunch when I don’t pack any the night before. And let me tell you, with everything I buy there– I’m never disappointed!
From pork hash, Manapua & now even plate lunches! The hamburger steak & mochiko chicken is delicious! Comes with 2 scoops of rice and Mac salad! And there kimchi fried rice is great for lunch/​breakfast on the go & for just $ 1 you can add an egg on top anyway you want it!

Never heard of manapua before. It was really good. Menu was very small though, kim chi was dull. Only seating is outside.

Excellent service.
Kalua pig manapua is top notch awesomeness. The people at the counter were very polite and offed what seemed like a meals worth of samples to my son.

Cute place. Got Pork Belly in Bao Buns, Pork Hash, Baked Char Sui Manapua, Baked Adobo Manapua, Baked Kalua Pork Manapua.
Honestly, just «Eh.»
Baked Char Sui was the best out of all of them, but not the best I have had. Pork Hash was oily as heck and very little flavor. I honestly like the ones at 7-​Eleven so maybe that might not say very much. Adobo Manapua did not taste like Adobo. Kalua Pork Manapua very dry.
Service was quick and girls were friendly.

The last time we were at Maui Manapua for lunch we tried the roast pork that came with rice and a delicious rich gravy which was the special for the day, very yummy. Our other favorites are the chicken curry manapua, steamed buns, fried rice and garlic noodles. Then of course we had Ululani’s Shave Ice for dessert. Absolutely the best in Maui!

Not that bad. Pork belly steam buns were good. Don’t waste your money on the noodles or fried rice. Sam sato is known for that. There pork hash was very dry and there chow mein had no flavor at all. Just stick with the steam buns.

Despite a lot of what seems to be an attempt to protect your buddies business by writing outrageously negative reviews against these guys… I am again and again extremely happy with both the food and service while stopping by Maui Manapua. The pork belly steamed buns are hands down my favorite choice there as well as the kalua pig manapua. I would advise anyone looking to try a good product to do so themselves and not worry about someones «biased opinion».

I want to waste my time the money push a really dense and dry. Pork hash had no flavor.

Went here after a friend suggested it. To sum it up this place may end our friendship.
The chow fun was NO fun it was Chow BAD :(don’t eat it unless your trying to get out of work early.
Threw away $ 30 of inedible manapuas. It was a waste not only of money and food but my time. I would rather battle Chinatown traffic with no parking then subject my tastebuds to this torture again.
Spare yourselves people there are better manapuas at the lower main place.
On a further note their shave ice is still good, so that’s what I reccomend getting here.

Let’s see…
From really nowhere to go on Maui for decent Manapua, to 2 new places in less than 2 months?! Wow! Cravings kicking back in!
Had to check this place out, as I read the review for Ululani’s Shave Ice at the new Safeway Center in Wailuku, and the reviews mentioned Manapua… and pork hash! WHHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!!! I gotta go see what this is all about, especially since the parking there is pretty plentiful.
So I walk in and see a display warmer with a bunch of buns inside! On the top of this warmer are signs, each indicating what type of Manapua is below. They have baked char siu, steamed char siu, baked beef brisket, baked kalua pig, baked chicken adobo and several others. Hmmmm, which one or five should I get?! Hmmmm, how much pork hash should I get? Hmmmm, how much are these buggahs? Hmmmm, big sign above with all the prices. Char siu manapuas are $ 1.99 each. Some of the other are $ 1.50 each. Pork hash is 4/​$ 4.75. Damn, can I get just one?
Two customers ahead of me and one dude talking loudly on his cell phone. Service on this side a little slow… took them about 20 minutes to get to me, and the other 2 guys in front only ordered one box each. If this were Chinatown or Char Hung Sut, I would have been served, paid, eaten and crapped my bao out by the time I got served here!
Okay, small kinks expected. The young gentleman acknowledged me. I asked if they had more baked and steamed char siu Manapua, since the guys in front bought them all. He checks, comes back with a tray, then asks the lady behind me for her order! WHAAAAAATTTTT?! Hey man, I waited patiently for 20+ minutes only to be passed over for the better looking customer?! At least try not to make it that obvious! If I had my way, I’d have had the good looking local girl serving me anyway, so there!
So, to the taste… not like the dim sum places in Honolulu. A little harder bun, but the meat inside was decent, but lacking. Maybe I expected too much? For 2 bucks, YES!!!
Overall, not a bad place to go to satisfy your Manapua cravings, especially if you live on Maui, but hopefully, the kinks have been worked on and improved. The shaved ice place is very nice, and decent. That’s another review, however.
The place is clean, parking ample and very convenient location. Closed on Sundays, though, which is a bummer, since I think they would do well with locals wanting to start a Sunday morning breakfast tradition!

Poor service. I was the only one there and it took a little while for them to recognize me. When asked what I wanted. I replied. Whats good here? I don’t know. I don’t eat anything with a face, the gal replied. Um… Awkward. I ordered the kalua pig baked manapua and a charsiu baked. I love manapua. That my friend was not manapua. Its like someone hollowed out a dinner roll and stuffed meat into the center. I believe in 2^nd chances. Maybe they’re having a bad day.

Once upon a time there were zero manapua shops on Maui. Come 2015, there are now two lol.
ATMOSPHERE:
The shop is part of Ululani’s Shave Ice and shares the same space. The spot is roomy but has no indoor seating, only unprotected outdoor tables with a pretty nice view of the central valley and Haleakala.
MENU:
Noodles, manapua (baked and steamed,) pork hash.
FOOD:
Pork Hash — They’re a bit pricey at $ 1.50 each, but they’re larger than what you’d find at other places. The filling is a little peppery and could use a pinch of salt for better flavor. Good but I’ve had better.
Pork Adobo Manapua — Delish! What a tasty twist on the staple. The taste was perfect with the right amount of shoyu and vinegar, and stuffed into the bun and steamed.
Char Siu Manapua — Good job guys. The filling isn’t skimpy by any means! The flavor is traditional sweet and savory and the bun steamed perfect.
SERVICE:
Staff were very friendly and service was quick despite the lunch hour rush.
OVERALL:
They’re gonna do really well. Lots of parking, okay pricing, great service, and good taste.

Maui went from having no manapua to having two places over the course of a month! I’ve been to both and while they each are a step above what was the previous option (steamed to death at gas stations), I think the Manapua Bakery is the better of the two. I got the kalua pig and the chicken adobo baked. The ratio of meat to bread was too bready for my tastes, and the bread itself was fairly dry. The filling of the kalua pig was also dry. I will try again sometime when I’m at safeway and craving manapua and hopefully they work out the kinks by then.

The staff is very friendly and the service is quick. They are also conveniently located and have lots of parking. I ordered the Pork Belly Buns which is very moist and yummy – and even better with Hoisin Sauce. I tried the Chow Fun which was on the salty side and contains Italian Sausage I think. Definitely different from what I am used to. I also tried the pork hash. Not sure if they were having an off day, people who have tried it prior to my visit really liked it. The pork hash I ate had no flavor (so I put it in my chow fun to balance the tastes). Despite my experience, I will go back and try again to taste their Manapua and maybe kimchee fried rice.

Today we went back to stock up on the cha siu Manapua to take back on the airplane and also tried a pork belly bun (see photo). We were very glad to try the pork belly which had the right texture and outer crispness we were used to on the mainland, and the quality of the bun was very good. Hoisin sauce was an essential and they even had that available. Sad to say we probably won’t be back on Maui for several years but when we do come back, we’re definitely gonna remember this place.