Restaurants, a juice bar, a shoe store expansion and a beauty salon among offerings

BY MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent

GARAPAN, Saipan — An old classic has returned to Garapan with the opening of Galaxy II Snack Bar March 4 at the back of T Galleria by DFS Saipan.

The snack bar’s newest branch mirrors the items sold at its Chalan Kanoa location like the iconic sardine empanadas, glazed donuts, and chicken kelaguen.

“We opened the Garapan location to cater to the middle and northern part of the island. Basically, we sell what Galaxy Snack Bar near William S. Reyes Elementary School sells. We also plan to offer burgers and hotdogs for lunch,” said brothers Patrick, 29, and Anthony Tenorio, 32, who lead Galaxy II Snack Bar’s operations.

The Tenorios also envision Galaxy II Snack Bar Garapan to slowly lure the tourist clientele due to its proximity to Saipan’s hotel street and the old Paseo De Marianas, which recently opened to vehicular traffic.

Galaxy Snack Bar was founded by the Tenorio brothers’ aunt Dolores Blas Dela Cruz in the 1970s. Its first location was in Garapan before it moved to the hill just before the Northern Marianas College campus in As Terlaje. It stood there for decades before fire gutted the shack in 2014 and it moved to Chalan Kanoa three months later.

Galaxy II Snack Bar is open Monday to Friday, from 6.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The operation is take-out only and for the meantime accepts only cash. For more information or order in advance, call (670) 233-5542.

Fish and fresh produce stall Wild & Fresh opened across the Mobil Oil gas station in Garapan on March 23.

"We opened Wild & Fresh because of two reasons. First, as a nurse I noticed that the number of cancer and dialysis patients are increasing. This probably is correlated to the food we eat, which is mostly frozen or with preservatives. Second, there are many people on the island who like fish, but do not know how to clean or are having trouble cleaning the fish. That is why we offer free cleaning, and we even slice the fish," said owner Jordan Danao, who is a Commonwealth Health Center nurse supervisor.

Wild & Fresh is open from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (670) 286-4444. As an added service, Wild & Fresh offers free blood pressure and blood sugar check whenever Danao is off duty.

Saipan Shoes is now twice the size of its original store after it expanded to the former space of Life in Son Fellowship in Gualo Rai March 1.

Owner Lydia Li said more space for Saipan Shoes means it now has a bigger selection to meet customer needs for shoes and other fashion items and the increase in floor space means customers have more freedom to move around.

"Aside from over 100 styles of shoes, we have also built an inventory of many fashion items other than shoes, like women's underwear, bras, and shapewears. I really hope our new items for women will make our woman customers very happy," she said.

Saipan Shoes is located across the U.S. District Court for the NMI at the corner of Middle Road and Gualo Rai Road in Gualo Rai. For more information, call (670) 783-7388.

CK Smoke House’s new beef and vegetable hot pot, local beef kelaguen, Korean pot BBQ, beef pancake, and its own version of bulgogi dishes are a keto practitioners’ dream.

Manager Dae Il Lee said the five new dishes take advantage of sister company, Marianas Meat Harvesting Corp., as it's the only certified USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service in the NMI, guaranteeing the freshest meat this side of the Western Pacific.

"We aim to offer the CNMI community locally grown beef and pork meats. The meats are already available at Sabalu Market and Fresh Market-Meat/Seafood/Others in Garapan. But in order to reach more customers, CK Smoke House came up with this additional meat menu for the community to enjoy," he said.

Originally called Mille-feulle Nabe (mille-feulle is "leaves" in French and nabe is Japanese for "beef hot pot"), beef and vegetable hotpot is inspired by Japan and Korea's beef soup. Beef kelageun, meanwhile, is literally Chamorro raw beef and Lee said it pretty much suits thr local palate.

CK Smoke House's Korean pot BBQ offers lightly charred and smoky grilled meat. The marinated meat is baked for hours in a Korean traditional clay pot with the charcoal emitting infrared heat that slowly cooks the meat, which also gradually releases the meat's fats.

The beef pancake is a popular Korean dish that offers the best flavor and texture with thinly sliced meat, eggs, and simple condiments.

Lastly, everyone's favorite Korean meat dish, bulgogi-also called yakiniku, has been further enhanced by CK Smoke House by using fresh meat with its own special sauce.

CK Smokehouse is open daily for breakfast, from 6.30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The adjacent CK Chicken & Beer can also accommodate customers with CK Smokehouse's menu until 12 a.m. It also accepts private reservations and has a selection of party packages for various occasions.

CK Smoke House is located at the side of the U.S. Post Office in Chalan Kanoa and can seat up to 70 customers. For more information, call (670) 234-3331 or (670) 783-8050. The restaurant can also be reached via Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Hyatt Regency Saipan's Miyako welcomed back guests March 18 after being closed for two and a half months for renovation.

Saipan's only Japanese hotel buffet offers authentic Japanese dining experiences paired with Miyako's evergreen signature dishes. 

Miyako’s lunch buffet is open from Monday to Thursday, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., offering dinner Wednesdays to Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For Miyako reservations, visit saipan.regency.hyatt.com and click the "dining tab" or call (670) 234-1234.

CK Chicken & Beer, a new watering hole that pairs the savory goodness of fried chicken and the relaxing elements of a cold brew, opened in Chalan Kanoa.

Manager Dae Il Lee said they opened CK Chicken & Beer on Dec. 22 as an extension of CK Smokehouse, but specifically catered to Saipan's local drinking crowd.

"We always had a fried chicken menu at CK Smokehouse and people really loved it.Then we thought, why don't we just expand with varieties of fried chicken at this new place since they have a wide variety of fried chicken dishes in Korea," he said.

There are currently six varieties of fried chicken — Wasabi Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Premium Onion Chicken, Soy Sauce Chicken, Bul (Fire) Chicken, and Regular Chicken.

One order costs $13.95 for the Original Chicken and $18.95 for the rest. Customers can also mix and match and order half of each kind. All come with a free bowl of steamed rice.

CK Chicken & Beer’s beer, comes in alcoholic and non-alcoholic kinds, with the former bannered by Asahi draft beer as well as Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Corona. The latter includes Hoegaaden Zero, Budweiser Zero, and Cass Zero.

CK Chicken & Beer is located next to CK Smokehouse in front of the U.S. Post Office in Chalan Kanoa. It can accommodate up to 30 dine-in customers and is open from 5.30 p.m. to 11p.m. daily.

For more information or to make reservations, call (670) 234-3331 and (670) 234-3330. Chicken & Beer offers delivery between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on a cash basis only. Delivery is free with purchase of two or more chicken dishes (southern Saipan and Garapan only).

Gangnam Chicken was opened in Chalan Kanoa in December by Sang Kyun Kim, whose dream was always to return and live on Saipan after visiting the island about 10 years ago.

The opportunity finally came late last year when the 48-year-old shuttered his successful chicken restaurant in Seoul and packed up to start anew 3,000 kilometers away in the NMI.

As its name suggests, Gangnam Chicken primarily serves Gangnam-style chicken, which is a sticky spicy grilled chicken recipe with a mix of Korean and Chinese flavors.

Gangnam Chicken's other offerings are fried chicken, soy chicken, volcano chicken, and sweet chicken. It also offers side dishes like rice cakes, French fries, gunmandu (Koream gyoza), and pineapple slices (dessert).

The chicken costs from $20 to $25 for 12 pieces and $12 to $15 for six pieces. You can also mix and match the flavors to your heart's content, according to Kim.

Located on the first floor of Shining Star Hotel, formerly the Koreana Hotel along the street across Dial Rent-to-Own in Chalan Kanoa, Gangnam Chicken can accommodate up to 55 dine-in customers. It's open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (to 1a.m. if customers request). For more information or for reservations, call (670) 234-2424 and (670) 788-7880.

Kanto Diyes expanded its restaurant two-fold with the acquisition of the lease of Jacob's Barbecue and Bakeshop next door earlier this year.

Owner Dante Suarez Conlu said the expansion allowed Kanto Diyes to accommodate more customers, as the common complaint about the restaurant before was its small space and lack of parking.

“We could only fit in 20 customers before, but now we're up to 50 seats with the expansion to the adjacent space,” he said. Kanto Diyes can also now accept reservations for small or large groups, due to the expansion.

It also recently introduced new items like longanisa chorizo and hotdog combo, grilled prawn set, and beef short ribs with more traditional Filipino dishes on the way.

Conlu said very soon the restaurant will also serve a pork belly set and spareribs barbecue and introduce a slew of cold non-alcoholic drinks like fruit juices.

Kanto Diyes also launched its unlimited rice promotion for Monday and Tuesday, which had been a hit for youngsters but not so much for the older customers who are cutting down on their rice consumption. 

Kanto Diyes is open for dine-in and takeout daily from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. It can seat 50 customers and is located along Flores Rosa Street and the corner Alaihai Avenue near the back of Dollar Days in Garapan. For more information, to reserve, or to order in advance, call (670) 989-2728 or email [email protected]. Kanto Diyes is also on Facebook.

Terry's Snack Bar has upgraded its storefront and will now also be open on Saturdays.

Also known as "Bolis" in Chalan Kanoa after the nickname of its founder Theresita “Bolis” Pertudo Pertudo, the traditional local snack stall is renowned for its classic empanadas, donuts, and kelaguen. Usually open only on weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Terry's Snack Bar will now also be open on Saturday from 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pertudo started Terry's Snack Bar alongside her late first husband, Herman "Bolis" Pangelinan, and father-in-law Jose Masga Dela Cruz, and they would serve the favorite snacks of kids. Since then, over 40 years have passed, and she now serves the children and grandchildren of her once-young customers.

Marvz Kitchen opened atop Saipan Vegas along Beach Road in Chalan Kiya Jan. 18. The restaurant that offers Filipino-American cuisine actually got its start in Chalan Kanoa in early 2023 but had to abruptly stop operations due to the $27-million Beach Road rehabilitation project.

"After many years of work and hard financial decisions, the opportunity finally arose and we opened up Marvz Kitchen on Feb. 16, 2023 in CK. However, due to the construction that was ongoing in the area, it was short-lived as we had to close because of it. Yet opportunity found us yet again and we were able to open here at the Saipan Vegas last February," said Billy, son of owners Marvin and Nylin Manahan.

Since opening, the 100-seat restaurant's bestsellers are its barbecued ribs (made from FDA-approved meat), cheeseburgers, and siopaos. Daily specials for Saipan Vegas customers and walk-ins vary from beef and pork tapa one day, to pancit the next day, and fried chicken and burger steak on another day.

Marvz Kitchen is located on the second floor of Saipan Vegas along Beach Road in Chalan Kiya. It's open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday. For more information or for reservations, call (670) 785-4802, email [email protected], or message on Facebook: Marvz Kitchen.

Filipino Mexican fusion restaurant La Mesa Kusina relocated from Chalan Kanoa to Garapan next to R&J Liquor Jan. 19.

Operations manager Clint Albert said the primary reason for the move was the unique opportunity to collaborate with R&J Liquor and the partnership has resulted in the construction of the deck.

"The deck is going to be basically La Mesa Kusina and then we'll have this bar open that will be our keg bar. We will also have our own counter coming soon, which will become a cocktail bar where we are going to have events such as Ladies Night, open mic nights, and we're going to be having a band and most probably a DJ at the grand opening."

Aside from the collaboration with R&J Liquor, the move to Garapan will also allow La Mesa Kusina to cater to a wider market. 

"Before we were limited to about 20-some seats. For big events, we had to just be inventive and we had to have tents outside in the parking lot when we had parties and whatnot. Now, we actually have the space that can accommodate up to 50 people," Albert said.

La Mesa Kusina has retained 90% of the old menu, with El Plato meals renamed to build-your own rice bowls.

It also has a new breakfast burrito that is basically longanisa with hashbrown and Fil-Mex rice, and a sisig burrito that blends the best of Filipino and Mexican cuisine. Fajita taco quesadilla and new dynamite lumpia have also been introduced. For drinks, the restaurant has added melon and strawberry horchata and for sweet tooths La Mesa Kusina has its own version of halo-halo as well as other Mexican desserts.

La Mesa Kusina, located beside R&J Wines and across T Bar along Beach Road, is open from Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations or for information, call (670) 234-6372, or Facebook and Instagram.

Simple Café, a food stall that serves home-cooked meals, has opened inside 99 Cents Supermarket in Garapan.

The coffee shop began selling snacks and a variety of hot food and cold drinks just before Christmas in November 2023, according to owner Edith Villamena.

Simple Café’s menu includes sandwiches and Filipino delicacies such as puto, kutsinta, buchi, maja, siomai, siopao, pancit, and many more. The new cafe and snack bar also offers fresh fruit and vegetables juices, smoothies, coffees and Thai milk tea, among others.

Villamena said during the first couple of months of operation, the family-owned business attracted some loyal customers who can't get enough of their freshly baked pandesal, arroz caldo, iced coffee, and halo-halo.

Simple Café is open from Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (snacks and drinks only). Customers can contact the cafe at (670) 588-6044 or message it via the Facebook page, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Marianas Deals has opened a second branch at the old location of the Commonwealth Cancer Association in Gualo Rai.

Owners Melvin and Lynie Cabrera said they wanted a bigger store with ample parking to complement their first store in As Perdido and the new site does that.

The Cabreras said the gift shop and housewares store also has gotten requests from loyal customers who live further north in Tanapag and San Roque to open a location in the middle of the island.

Marianas Deals started as a home-based business during the COVID-19 lockdown, selling comforters and curtains, before branching out to a brick-and-mortar presence in As Perdido in February 2022. It now has become a one-stop destination for affordable perfume, comforters, and curtains from suppliers in the U.S. mainland and China. During the past holiday season, customers also took a fancy to the expansive Sanrio products as well as Christmas gift baskets. The store also carries an assortment of authentic sport caps.

Marianas Deals in Gualo Rai is open from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on weekends. For more information, call (670) 989-9420 or reach via Facebook page: Marianas Deals.

Tupu Cane Juice finally opened a brick-and-mortar store at Paseo de Marianas Dec. 27.

The clamor from loyal customers who patronized its all-natural, handcrafted sugarcane juice at the Sabalu Market prompted the opening of Tupu Cane Juice in the heart of Garapan, according to general manager Cameron Atalig.

He said tupu means sugarcane in Chamorro and Tupu Cane Juice captures the vibrant flavors and invigorating properties of this ancient tropical plant. Hand-harvested from the Atalig family's small farm on Saipan, the cane juice is extracted using traditional and cold-pressed methods, ensuring the highest-freshest quality and nutritional value.

"In late 2022, we had a lot of sugarcanes growing and needed to be harvested. We heard of sugarcane juice being extracted so we purchased a small mini machine. When we tasted the natural goodness and learned of the healthy benefits of this delicious juice, we had to share this with the community."

Currently, Tupu Cane Juice has a flavor of the week promotion where a revolving list of drinks will be $1 off. The flavors available include Pure Tupu, Coffee Tupu, a variety of fruit flavors, Calamansi Tupu, Coconut Tupu, Tupu, and Dragon Tupu.

Tupu Cane Juice's storefront location is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tupu Cane Juice also sells its sugarcane juice at the Sabalu Market and T Galleria on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. For more information, check the Facebook and Instagram page. You can also visit the website at www.tupucanejuice.com.

Cuts and Nails Beauty Salon & Spa has opened in San Jose, Tinian to attend to the island's beauty needs.

Owner Edwin Sta. Theresa said he opened his latest business Nov. 26 due to a recent population explosion on the island due to the military buildup.

The Tinian Health Center x-ray specialist and ultrasound technician said the construction of many military facilities on Tinian has resulted in the arrival of many construction workers. He added that the recent increase in the cost of airfare from Tinian to Saipan means fewer island residents now fly to the capital of the NMI.

Services offered by the newly opened salon include haircut for both men ($15) and women ($18), rebond, semi-rebond, Brazilian blow-out, rebond with volume, highlights (two-tone and balayage), hair color, cellophane, keratin botox, and microblading.

In addition, veteran beautician Ladiva David also offers hair and makeup, eyebrow tattoo, eyelashes, foot spa, manicure and pedicure, gel polish, and massage.
Cuts and Nails Beauty Salon & Spa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information or appointments, call (670) 433-5866. mbj