This review is based off of the original Island Puff and the strawberry Island Puff. Both puffs were great! The original reminded me of Beard Papa. So yummy!! The seasonal strawberry puff also had fresh strawberry slivers on top the cream. Price range between $5-6 for each. They also had a small variety of other delicious looking desserts in their case. I will return to try others next time :) Street parking or if you're lucky like me, your dentist is in the same building. read more

See all

Talk about hole in the wall! OK so to find this place, locate the Medical Arts Building from either Victoria or S King St, walk THROUGH the building to get to the parking deck, then head towards the junction where the two buildings meet (aka the Kupuna wing), you'll see a tiny white sign that says "Aloha State Bake Shop" pointing you down one flight of stairs to a door, walk through that and the shop is down a little hall (you'll smell it before you see it!). So the Island Cheesecake (vanilla) was the perfect little treat. Not too sweet, a hint of lemon, that slightly jiggly Japanese cheesecake texture...it's divine. But the actual star of the show was the coffee tiramisu cream puff. Oh my goodness. The cream puff was light and airy, the filling inside was not-too-sweet custardy goodness, the contrast with the bitter espresso powder, and then the coffee jelly inside...we couldn't stop raving about how perfect of a dessert it was. We will be back for sure! They also had sandwiches, panna cotta, butter mochi in different flavors, and chestnut cake. read more

Aloha State Bake Shop - Coffee tiramisu cream puff - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Located on the basement of Medical Arts Building, lies a small local bake shop, all homemade cakes, cream puffs, cookies and sandwiches. They have a parking lot, but must pay when exiting. They have lots of street parking! Most popular item is their Japanese inspired cheesecake. They normally have vanilla but they have rotating seasonal flavors. Unfortunately there was only vanilla and has to try it myself. Cheesecake was simply delicious. Not overly sweet and not too heavy. Tastes just like a cheesecake Japan and the vanilla taste is just right. I also got their chocolate chip cookie with nuts. I just love when any cookie has a light crisp on the outside but the middle is soft and not overly sweet. They satisfied my cookie check! Prices were also reasonable as they make it house made. So why not support a local bake shop when you are around town! read more

See all

Aloha State Bake Shop was opened as an online bakery of Japanese cheesecakes by Kanako (known to her friends as "Kana") Mampuku who moved to HI from Osaka, Japan. She studied Culinary Arts at the University of HI Kapiolani Community College and had worked as a baker at Kona Coffee Purveyors. Kana opened her online bake shop in Sept 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic, hoping to bring a little joy and happiness by delivering delicious Japanese cheesecake to the people of HI; you could pick up the cheesecakes from Up Roll Café. With support from local residents, her business has grown, and she opened her brick-and-mortar bake shop in the Medical Arts Building in Makiki in Jan. 2022 and also find her cheesecakes at Dean & Deluca, Higoto, Japanese Eatery and Up Roll Café. Not to be confused with the Aloha Bakehouse & Café located in Kakaako that offers homemade baked goods and is completely separate from Aloha State Bake Shop that offers Japanese style cheesecakes, croissant sandwiches, and cookies. This cheesecake is Kana's signature item, was branded as "Island cheesecake" in Feb. 2022. In my trips to Japan, I would visit many bakeries, seeking Japanese cheesecake, which is lighter in texture, less sweet than that of US style cheesecakes and so delicious! Japanese cheesecakes are light and airy with whipped egg whites and cream cheese, a perfect balance of smoothness and fluffiness. So, I was excited to find out that Kana was baking these Japanese cheesecakes using local ingredients, e.g., vanilla from Laie Vanilla Co. and local fruits (mango, lilikoi). Depending on the season, the cheesecake flavors have included: original, lilikoi/vanilla, black sesame (imported from Japan), mango mousse, Hojicha (roasted green tea imported from Kyoto, Japan), pistachio/raspberry. You can purchase them in slices, 1/2 loaf, or full loaf. Half loaves are wrapped in a saran wrap, then with parchment paper and tied with a colored string ribbon. Full loves are wrapped in the same manner, but are placed in a colorful, heavy duty box with a magnetized flap of two designs that are Kana's favorites, artist Sarah Caudle's Hawaiian beaches in blue and a green drawing as a tribute to the vanilla farm in Laie. I have tasted the hojicha, black sesame, and lilikoi/vanilla flavors, and all are excellent! They are so creamy, light, not overly sweet, fluffy, melts in your mouth, and have delicious flavors! Yes, same cheesecakes as those in Japan! Staff is very friendly and patient in answering many questions. It's a very inconspicuous small space, just a counter to order and pay, as most of the space is the kitchen and prep area. Nice clean area with grab-and-go cookies in brightly wrapped cellphane bags that are good for gifts. Other seasonal desserts include: cookies (walnut/choc chip, lilikoi choc, Hibiscus tea, vanilla sea salt); cream puffs (strawberry, matcha/azuki, Hojicha); strawberry shortcake cup; mizu yokan; matcha tiramisu; choc/matcha; seasonal fruit panna cotta; muffin cake; puddings (Hojicha, shortcake); butter mochi; banana bread; chocolates (matcha nama, classic nama); Mont blanc. In May 2023, sandwiches were offered: croissants (salmon cream cheese, tuna melt, turkey pesto, pesto chicken, egg salad); and salads (pesto chicken, smoked salmon, turkey ham, prosciutto. Hours of operation are Mon to Fri 10a to 5p (cheesecakes and desserts from 10a and sandwiches from 11a); pick up only on Sat/Sun 8:30a to 9:30a. They're located literally in a hole-in-the-wall location, in the Kupuna wing of the basement in the former Tommy's Coffee Shop location. Validated parking is provided with a 15-min grace period + one-hour free validated parking. It is easy to get lost, so head toward the So. King St. side of the building. So glad to know that I can find Japanese cheesecake in HNL! We're fortunate that Kana has brought her talented skills of Japanese cheesecake making here so that we can all enjoy without going to Japan. Always happy to support this woman-owned local small business! Thank you, Kana! read more

See all

Located in the Medical Arts Building on the Basement level, Aloha State Bake Shop is making homemade Japanese style cheesecake, cream puffs and more. Follow your nose: take the elevator or stairs by the coffee shop/Junpuu/Invision Imaging to the Basement level. Follow your nose - the smell of baked goods will lead you to this magical little shop. After staring at the cold case for a bit, I opted for a slice of the Japanese vanilla cheesecake (made with Laie Vanilla) and the seasonal strawberry cream puff. The Japanese style cheesecake was good, though I do like NY style and would have wanted some kind of crust. The star of the show was the strawberry cream puff. It had vanilla cream, strawberry cream, fresh strawberry and a strawberry jam inside (all homemade fillings of course!). It was stuffed and the puff was perfectly baked. It was in the morning when I went, so I definitely want to check back for the savory lunch items or to try the other desserts. I may or may not have to go back also for that cream puff though... If you go to Higoto Japanese Eatery in Kaimuki, they also sell their cream puffs and cheesecake there. But if you're in this Ward area, go get it fresh from the bakery. Cheers to Aloha State Bake Shop by Blaisdell! read more

See all

Variety is the sweetness in life!! This Asian-owned biz has the goods to make your life even sweeter!! Located in the Medical Arts Building there is parking in the back or you can do a quick street parking out front and take the entrance right where the Invision Sign is...go through the doors and swing left to go downstairs and you'll see a doorway to Aloha State Bake Shop. It's amazing what they produce in this super tiny shop famous for their signature "Island Cheesecake" they certainly had that and so much more. Cream Puff with that amazing crackled top like a cookie, Mont Blanc which currently is made using Ube, Strawberry Shortcake cup, Panna Cotta, Hojicha Vanilla Pudding, Matcha Tiramisu, Mizu Yokan and so much more!!! Mom had asked for some dessert so thought that this would be the perfect place and wanted to get something for my bestie as well so I got the Matcha Tiramisu of course, Mizu Yokan, Hojicha Pudding and Coconut Butter Mochi it's just amazing how they make all this including sandwiches. Starting on Monday May 8th 2023 sandwiches will be available after 11am probably for time constraint which I will definitely try the next time since I've already had something but at $8 sounds just amazing, the service here is just friendly. All my treats are unique different and stunning who gets what...Mom chooses first and we shall see but ladies here are a delight and prices are amazing great from $3.50 to $5.40, what better way to Celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month than the treat yourself to something sweet at this hidden gem. Thank you! read more

See all

This place is a must-try. First off, it was a fun adventure hunting down the bakery. Once you figure out it's in the rear parking lot and realize it's in the basement you'll have yourself a giggle. The thrill of the hunt adds to the overall experience, making each twist and turn in search of this place an adventure in itself. Once you reach the bakery you'll realize it's a quaint and small mama-papa shop. As someone who appreciates the dedication and passion poured into smaller establishments, stepping into this bakery felt like a labor of love. We ordered numerous items and each dessert was delightful, filled with tasty ingredients. If you're into tiramisu you have to get theirs. You'll find a nice little surprise at the bottom. The staff or owner behind the counter was very kind to explain each item. In a world of commercialized chains, this bakery stands out as a beacon of authenticity and passion. If you're a fan of hidden treasures and heartfelt craftsmanship, this bakery is an absolute must-visit. I'm sure I'll be back as soon as possible. read more

See all

Aloha State Bake Shop located in the Medical Building across from the Blaisdell Center. Parking on the street or in the private parking lot. They specialize in Cheesecake but have an awesome assortment of different pastries that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Locally owned and operated, love the way they make you feel like family when you eat there. Definitely a great destination for pastry lovers. read more

See all

Takeout Lunch in Honolulu, Hawaii... My friend, Donna O., highly recommended the Grilled chicken pesto Croissant sandwich from Aloha State Bake Shop, so, (even though I don't really care for chicken), I decided to give it a try. Located in the basement of the Medical Arts Building, parking in the lot is free for the first half hour. Unfortunately, the Hours of Operation on Yelp are incorrect and I went at 10am when they actually open at 11am... (I did submit an edit to the Hours of Operation.) I was determined to get that sandwich because I had gone to Aloha State Bake Shop the day before and they were closed. I did call before I went, but their answering machine is full and they didn't pick up. Luckily, on that day, I exited the parking lot before the half hour was up and I didn't have to pay. Today, when the door opened at 11am, I ordered the Grilled pesto chicken Croissant sandwich. The gal asked if I had ordered online or called in. Me: Um... No... May I order now? Awkward... I explained that I called yesterday, but no one answered... She said that they were closed yesterday... Hmmm... Anyway, after about ten minutes, I received my takeout box. I could feel the heat from the grilled sandwich come through! The yummy fragrance helped me open the box in the car and take a few bites right away... Delicious! Why? Because the chicken is shredded and the pesto flavor is mixed in! Genius! No more biting into chalky chicken meat! Yay! I liked the marinated red cabbage which gave the sandwich some crunch and a slightly tart essence! The Swiss cheese added a bit of a creamy touch! The panini finish to the outside of the croissant was excellent! Of course, since I had parked for a little more than an hour, I paid $3 for parking. Uhg! Oh, well ... Next time, I'll try ordering online and time my visit better! Thanks, Donna, for another great lunch suggestion! read more

See all

BEST cheesecake in Hawaii!! It's so lightly sweet and perfectly creamy. Classic vanilla, black sesame, and hojicha are all amazing. They're so addictive that I can eat a full size all by myself. Now, the service is a different situation. Every time I've been there, the employee with the glasses has been rude and unpleasant. I really dread seeing her but I keep going back because I'm telling you, that cheesecake is so darn good. read more

See all

I was craving for sandwiches and came across this new sandwich place in the former's Tommy's Coffee Shop spot in the Medical Arts Building on Young and Victoria St. It was located near Juu Puu (Ramen) but they were in the basement. There was an elevator near by but I entered the basement from the parking lot stairs on the other side. I haven't been here nor Tommy's Coffee Shop before, but I thought it was near Invision LLC. It was actually closer to the parking lot stairs near king and Victoria Streets end of the building. As you make it down the stairs and through the glass door, it's further down the long hallway. It's small place as you order at the door front. They seemed to be known for their cheesecake and lucky for me there were some plain ones available. The cheesecake came in two sizes of full or half. They were nicely wrapped like a present! The incredible cheesecake were so creamy and delicious! They also had some scones, mochi, and other desserts and chips. Chef Mai's pita sandwiches were so amazing too. She's not the owner but she said they have been in business for 4 years but at this new location for 3 months. I couldn't make a decision on the sandwiches, so I got two half sandwiches. I was amazed how the sandwich were delicious and the ingredients were packed in the 1/2 toasted pita sandwiches! The "Da Best mushroom pita" was a nice vegan option, but it was not as flavorful as the Pesto Chicken pita! Besides the veggies for the Pesto Chicken, it had avocado, chicken breast pieces, & pesto! I actually loved it and enjoyed every bite. I would get it again and it was one of the popular ones. Service was excellent. You can order online. I got a 30 min parking validation. If you stay longer, it's a dollar for every half hour after that. Thanks for reading my review =) read more

See all

Decent baked goodies. I tried the coconut butter Mochi and the seasonal lilikoi cheesecake. The butter Mochi was great- it had a chewy texture, a bit of crispy crust around the edges and soft and melty middle. I like the round shape so it made ALL the edges crust! And it was just $2 for a small hit decent serving. The lilikoi cheesecake was very dense. It was not sweet enough for me and the lilikoi flavor was too subtle. I wanted it to be more creamy, soft and have a pop of lilikoi. I ended up adding fresh cut fruits to it to make it taste better. I think it also needed some sauce or whipped cream. I think this is just my personal taste preference. If you don't like sweet (I don't) then you might like this? It was $15 for a small but heavy piece. It was about 4" x 3.5" (I measured it bc I couldn't believe how small it was for the price tag lol). Overall I'd go back and try more things, just skip the cheesecake. Or maybe try it again and see if another batch is better. The location is downstairs, go down the staircase from the parking lot on the Ewa/ Victoria Street side when facing the ocean/ makai. There's a sign outside the door, just knock if it's closed. read more

Thanks to the hubby for picking up a few desserts for me to try. I got to sample the vanilla cheesecake, mango panna cotta, and strawberry shortcake cup. Everything was amazing! Quality ingredients, not overly sweet. Prices are reasonable too. I'm not sure how this place has remained off the radar for over a year. Maybe because of it's location. In any event, I hope they stay in business because they make really good Asian style desserts! read more

See all

A friend and I found this place a few months ago, had their Matcha Tiramisu and both fell in love with it! So much so, that I've been looking forward to getting back into town at the right time just to have it again. Visited today and was so disappointed when I was told they'd discontinued that dish to focus on cream puffs and such. I got the Hojicha pudding and it was just okay, and certainly nothing like the experience of the matcha tiramisu. Hoping they'll bring it back but not sure how I'll even know. read more

I been eyeing this bakery out for a while and finally got the chance to try it today. This place was so hidden and it took me 10 minutes to find out where it was located, I didn't see any of the signs hinting that it was downstairs-- All of the entrance doors to the medical building was locked and I ended running around to the other side of the building where some guy with a key offered to open the building for me-- it was definitely a challenge to get here. I came 5 minutes before they closed and luckily they got the items I wanted to try. The blueberry cheesecake ($3.75, 7/10) had a lemony aftertaste, and a rich flavor but I was not too much of a fan for it. I did love the matcha tiramisu ($5.10, 9/10), it had a great matcha flavor and tasted amazing, I would go back just for this. Both items tasted light and were not too sweet-- just how I like it. Despite, the hassle it took to get to the bakery, I definitely recommend to check it out since it has one of the best cake desserts on the island that I have tried! read more

Aloha State Bake Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Interestingly located in the hospitals basement. We parked next door and walked over. No signs outside til you walk inside next to elevators. The cheesecake has great texture but only okay to me :/ the Lolol panna cotta was the best of the four I ordered to try. read more

Aloha State Bake Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Update: I was so surprised to get the response from the owner so quickly (within half an hour after posting). Thank you Kana for the prompt response and kind offer. It means a lot to the customers that you really strive to improve and address the problem. I am a regular and pick up food almost every week. Your food and desserts are so fresh and tasty. The price is very reasonable too Old review - The food is awesome but the service is horrible. I ordered online and it said the order will be ready for pick up in 30 minutes. When I got there after 40 minutes and asked about the order, the worker only checked the online order then and told me that she was too busy and didn't have time to prepare my order. She said I have to wait. It may be better to call instead of doing online order. This way you will find out if they are too busy to take any order. read more

I had to add this business to Yelp just so you would know about it - it's that good! I needed a last minute cheesecake and could not be happier to have stumbled upon this bakery. They were able to provide a cheesecake even though I had not ordered it a day ahead, and it was phenomenal! You can easily place orders on their website or give them a call. I do not say this lightly, considering I've been making cheesecakes for my spouse for the last decade, but he & I agreed it was probably the best cheesecake we've had. You could really taste the local vanilla and cheese flavor, it wasn't overly sweet. It was just perfect! I went with the classic vanilla and topped with with a little lilikoi butter and fresh raspberries. We will definitely be back to try the seasonal flavors. Go, get cheesecake, be happy. I was so excited I forgot to snap pictures, so here are some from their IG. A quick tip - this place is a little hard to find. The map will take you to the right building, but they are in the basement. It smells amazing as soon as you enter the door so you know you're in the right place. read more

See all

Fantastic cheesecake. We always went to Otto's, but have felt the void since it closed. This is our new go-to place. Also, the owner is soooo nice:) read more

This spot makes the best cream puffs. I love their tiramisu flavor - it's got chocolate, custard, and coffee all in one. It's a little hard to find, but if you just find Juunpuu (the ramen store), enter the building under the Invision sign to the left, cross the lobby, exit the back door and take a left, there's a little white sign posted on the balcony that says "Aloha State Bake Shop", follow it down to a door and the bakeshop is right there (now that I'm typing it out, it still sounds pretty complicated!!). Anyway once you find it once, it's easy to find again. And you should go again and again for their cream puffs! read more

I looked up reviews of the best cheesecake on the island of Oahu. My brother in law's only request for his birthday was a plain cheesecake. Aloha State Bake Shop popped up in the reviews as one of the best. I talked to a friendly employee over the phone and placed an order. She did forewarn me that the cheesecake would be rectangular instead of round and I said that was fine. The only issue was finding the location of the shop when I went to pick up the cheesecake. It's in the underground garage parking lot of a Medical Center. There was only a small sign posted near the staircase without any signage on the door leading to the shop! Otherwise, the cheesecake was wonderful. The person behind the small shop front was nice. I think the business would thrive in a more prominent location, but that's only my opinion. Would recommend ordering from them or visiting the small shop. read more

Freshly baked quality yumminess! Fresh Japanese cheesecake. Scones. Cinnamon rolls. Mochi. Croissant sandwich. Yummy pita sandwiches. You cannot go wrong with anything here. Top quality and all made so fresh! Hard to find yummy fresh food in this area. So grateful they are here. I love supporting small businesses who make great quality goods! Location is the basement level by junpuu. Take stairwell down n you'll smell the fresh baked goods! read more

Aloha State Bake Shop - Freshly baked Turkey pesto croissant sandwich! - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A little gem hiding underneath of the medical building. It can be miss since the sign is so small. It was tapped to the stair entrance and once you enter from the stair, you will find them (not instantly saw them but hopefully you know to turn left as one way only). Very small shop with one person operating. Worker might have limited English skill as her English has strong Japanese accent but good enough to communicate. Had Mont Blanc, strawberry cake and matcha nama chocolate. I like all of them except the nama chocolate, little too sweet as I prefer strong matcha taste. But the cakes are good, whipped cream and sponge cakes are soft and the whipped cream is the good type of whipping cream (no sticky feeling in the throat) $15 for 3 items are pretty fair. They also hav croissant sandwich under $10, good price but didn't get to try since is a late afternoon. I want to try houjicha pudding but they ran out. Would recommend and parking is free if in and out within 15 minutes. read more

It was tricky to find until I saw the sign in the medical building lobby ... it's downstairs. Down stairs ... the elevator is broken. Great chocolate chip cookie, friendly staff. Limited drink options, but the name isn't Aloha Drink Shop. read more

I had the strawberry cream puff! Loved the fresh strawberry flavor. Will come back again.

Excellent bakery love love this quaint bakery customer service on point!! See you guys soon to try the cheesecake

Got the last cheesecake from UpRoll in kakaako. Four types of cheeses and locally sourced vanilla blended for a very refined taste. Looking forward to checking out the actual shop whenever I can get there. read more

BEST Japanese style cheesecake you can get in Hawaii! Not too sweet, not heavy at all, and super soft and fluffy. Great gift option for very special someone. read more

OMG, one word to describe this bakery ....CHEESECAKE...yum! This is a tucked away bakery on the ground floor/lower level of the medical arts building and while they serve some other food items, it was the cheesecake that blew me away and made me a returning customer. If you are trying to find NY style cheesecake in Hawaii, this is the place, no need look further! I was trying to find Japanese style cheese cake for a friend, who isn't crazy about NY style, but I am! Their cheesecake reminds me of the old Junior's cheesecake in Brooklyn, NY, being tasty, creamy, thick and smooth, especially if you add some fresh strawberries! This was back in the days before Junior's changed their baking technique of making the cake more airy and fluffy. Try to find the time and order the Lilikoi cheesecake, as it requires advance ordering, but keep in mind its a mild fruity taste. Perfect dessert with a cup of coffee. This is really a 'hole in the wall, so take it out is best. Owner/chef was attentive, bon appetit! read more