G&F Farm Snack Bar bounces back from Sinlaku, serves affordable Chinese favorites

After losing nearly two months of business to Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Saipan G&F Farm Snack Bar in Chalan Kanoa is back serving affordable Chinese favorites, with dishes costing as little as $1.

Located in the Kada Dia area near the Chalan Kanoa Post Office, the small food business opened in late September 2025, only to have its operations disrupted by Sinlaku in April.

G&F Farm Snack Bar manager Donna Ann said the storm knocked out electricity and water, forcing the business to suspend normal operations in April and May. The shop also sustained damage, including to its menu displays.

“Almost two months, because nothing, the power and the water here,” Ann told Marianas Press.

“It's a really hard time for us there. We clean everything and we work hard to open again our food shop,” she added.

The business gradually resumed operations in June, although customers were initially slow to return as the island continued recovering from the typhoon.

Ann said business has since improved, with the shop relying partly on Facebook and WeChat groups to reconnect with customers.

Despite the CNMI's struggling economy and rising cost of living, Ann said the business remains committed to providing affordable meals while introducing traditional Chinese cuisine to local residents.

Its offerings include siopao, fried buns, dumplings, Chinese hamburgers, cold skin noodles, Chinese donuts, pancakes, and several noodle dishes.

Some dishes are inspired by the cuisines of China's Shandong and Shaanxi provinces.

Among its bestsellers are Chinese hamburgers, dumplings, cold skin noodles, beef noodles, and fried chicken.

Prices range from $1 to $10, with siopao starting at $1, pancakes at $2, and Chinese hamburgers at $3 each or two for $5. Its Yu Xiang egg noodles cost $7, while nine pieces of fried buns sell for $8 and 12 dumplings for $9.

Ann said affordability is particularly important for customers, including Chinese workers and taxi drivers looking for inexpensive meals.

“Because our food is cheaper and they can enjoy not spending too much money,” she said.

Beyond providing inexpensive food, the business also hopes to give longtime Chinese residents a taste of home.

Ann added many Chinese residents have spent years away from their hometowns and families and that gap is what G&F Farm Snack Bar intends to fill.

“For many Chinese people, food is more than just something to eat. It is also a memory of home,” the business said.

It added that it has also been encouraging to see more local residents trying its Chinese specialties.

G&F Farm Snack Bar hopes to eventually expand into catering meals for schools, offices, companies, parties, and family gatherings.

The snack bar is open daily from 7:30am to 7:30pm at Kada Dia in Chalan Kanoa, in the third shop next to the post office. It also sells food at the Susupe Morning Market every Saturday morning.

For orders and inquiries, customers may call (670) 588-0305.

Ann encouraged Saipan residents to give their traditional Chinese dishes a try.