Long Overdue: My First Time at Azuma's (And Why I'm Already Planning My Return) Okay, I have to be honest with you all -- I've been sleeping on Azuma's. For months, people have been telling me about their dried aku, and I kept saying "soon, soon." Well, soon finally happened, and I have nobody to blame but myself for waiting this long. Now, before I go any further -- yes, I forgot to take photos. I know. I know. But here's the thing: the moment that dried aku hit the table, all my food blogger instincts went completely out the window. It was just me and that fish, and nothing else mattered. The dried aku was everything the hype promised -- deeply savory, with that concentrated, almost smoky flavor you only get when something is made with real patience and skill. The kind of dish that makes you close your eyes after the first bite. Absolutely ono. No notes. Next time -- and there will be a next time, probably very soon -- I'm going in for the laulau. I have a feeling it's going to be just as worthy of the word-of-mouth buzz. Watch this space. Azuma's -- go. Just go. read more

Just found out about this place from someone we just met in Kapolei, and Azama's will be my go to dried aku and laulau store. The aku may be a little pricey but so worth it...I bought the regular and seasoned flavored and both werethe laulau was very tasty, had just enough salt and love the butterfish & pork, nice portions stuffed in side, the luau leaves were ono as well as a generous amount... Spreading the word read more

Azama Fish Wholesale - Regular dried aku and seasoned dried aku... great for lunch w/the steamed laulau and side poi - Seafood Markets Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

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Years later and I still standby Azamas, specifically this location! I'll continue to support this local business as they continue to produce top tier products and all the workers are friendly! read more

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My absolute fav is the dried aku (all flavors)...the quality of the fish is superb and the bite-size portions make it so convenient to eat!!! They're so good that I have to eat them in secret...otherwise, my dogs won't leave me alone...they go CRAZY over the dried aku too!!!! read more

Still my go-to spot for the freshest and most delicious lau lau. When I'm on the island I need my fix from here. Try to go before lunch as this secret local favorite will sell out! read more

I waited to long to discover this place hiding in a strip mall in Waipahu. These huys had me at Dry aku and opae. Parking is tight but well worth the wait. will be back soon. read more

Just pau eat my weekly allowance of smoked salmon poke...my fave. Hubs goes every week to get a laulau plate...sometimes grabs for Ma when I ask him to...and always gets me some salmon. Still...so good. This time also requested tako poke for baby...theirs is diffy in a good way. I think got dashi on it maybe? Hubs also got the dried opae. YUM. Hard but not too hard. Delicious taste...MSG? Not sure but oh.my.god. So good. My week is just not the same if I miss my Azama's fix... read more

My friend told me about this place when we had lunch one day. She said she used to go to the town location all the time for the dried aku but they don't sell it there anymore. She told me it was the best she's ever had and no one makes it soft like they do. Waipahu still sells the dried aku and so I came in one day to get us some. Everyone I've interacted with in there has always been so warm and welcoming! If you're coming for the dried aku, come early because they run out quick! It really is the best that I've tried on the island. They will even cut it up for you if you ask. I've been back several times since and won't go anywhere else for dried aku. read more

5/5/25 Happy Boy's Day treat from my Wife... Fresh made this morning Lomi Oio w Limu Green n White Onions Kukui Nut... So Ono! Smoked Tako w just the right chew n not over smoked... just the way I like it w some chili pepper water Also had some Dry Aku and "You know it's good from long, long time ago" Support Local Always read more

Azama Fish Wholesale - 5/5/25 Fresh Made Today Lomi Oio n some Smoked Tako - Seafood Markets Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Best dry Aku (dried fish) on the island. They also had other dried local items too. Will be trying there lau lau.

Talk about Ono! Fresh poke prepared with the right touch! Small shop in an off the wall strip mall in Waipahu. Don't let their storefront deter you. These guys know what they're doing! read more

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Nice local fish market. First visit recently and was satisfied with what I'd purchased. Tried the Lomi O'io and pulehu he'e. Both was really good. I'll definitely be back to buy it again and try other foods they have. read more

This location is the best . Super nice people and always so fresh . We tried there other location but nothing like this spot :) we always visit here when we're in island place an order she packs it for us and just ready for pick up and payment. So convenient read more

Da Bestest! Could use a fluorescent light open sign! I'm a bus operator & for years I thought the business was closed down! Yelp them & found out their hours & since then been there a lot of times! I love their seafood & Haw'n food!!! Yessah Blessah! read more

Izumi have the best quality dry fish around in Oahu to not go anywhere else go to spot

Another spot down the rd from my work. Owners are super nice. This is where I get my poke fix. They keep it simple and full of flavor and always fresh. Hawaiian style, limu and spicy is the ones I get. Also good price on the Lau Lau plates. read more

Azama Fish Wholesale - Variety of poke. - Seafood Markets Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

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Funny story of how I found this place. A few weeks back, I was craving lomi oio. Hadn't had that dish in like a decade and for some reason, I kept thinking about how great it was the last time I ate it. I did several google searches but couldn't find anywhere on Oahu that sells it. I even asked my co-worker who is the queen of Hawaiian food, and she couldn't tell me any place where I could get it. Then of all the big coincidences, I'm looking to order dinner on Bite Squad, and low and behold, Azama's profile pic is of lomi oio. I thought it was destiny. Little did I know that was the beginning of a mini journey to achieve my goal of finally getting some lomi oio in my tummy. First, I stopped by this place on a Saturday about 45 minutes before closing. I made two passes by the store and both times there was no parking. Had to drive all the way up Farrington, make a u-turn and come back around. I finally decided to park in the Bank of Hawaii parking lot and pay the $2 to park. Walk over to Azama, and they sold out of lomi oio, opihi, and namasu... basically everything that I went there for. I was a bit sad and somewhat upset. But it is what it is. On Sunday, I put a new plan in place and got to Azama right when they opened. Plenty of parking and I thought the stars aligned. I even brought my dad who was excited based on the various dishes that I told him they sold. But of course, they didn't have any lomi oio. The guy working said that another employee was picking up the lomi oio from another location and would be back within 30 to 45 minutes. He was kind enough to take my number and agreed to call me when it arrived. About an hour later, I got the disappointing call that they wouldn't have lomi oio that day due a shortage of the oio. So disappointed but again, it is what it is. On Monday, I called ahead of time, and they still didn't have lomi oio. Then on Tuesday, my dad calls and just so happens to get lucky. I finally got my lomi oio and it was 1,000% worth the wait. So fricking amazing. I pounded that 1-lb container in 2 days. I've since been back to Azama a third time within a 2-week period. All together, I've sampled their opihi, dried aku blood, pulehu tako, ogo namasu, and lomi oio. I won't say that each dish was the best I've ever had. But everything is good and tasty, and the dried aku blood and lomi oio is hands down PERFECTION. What I love about the dried aku blood is the lack of salt. Most dried aku I've had in the past has been overpowered by salt to the extent that I've needed to drink a pitcher of water and could no longer taste the fish. But this one had very little salt and the texture was absolutely perfect (not too hard). Aside from the taste, I think Frank and the other employees here are awesome. Very friendly. Parking sucks but again, just come early or park on the street. This place is a gem and I feel like it's an adult kids' candy store. No frills but it has some of the hardest to find local faves all in one place. Will definitely be coming back here many more times. read more

Azama Fish Wholesale - Opihi and dried aku (blood) - Seafood Markets Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Hands down the best dried aku I have ever eaten. I live in Kailua but will drive to Waipahu just for their dried aku and their seasoned dried aku. They also make the best Laulau. Fantastically awesome customer service. I often call before I go to make sure they have dried aku and they will put some on the side for me because they sell out often. They sell out so much because it is that good! read more

Azama's fish is located on Farrington Highway strip mall after Servco Toyota heading Ewa bound. If you want the best dried Aku in all of Hawaii this is the place. My family and friends from outer-island fly in Oahu just for the dried Aku. Either you prefer no blood, all blood, or half blood dried Aku they have em. Very tender inside and good bite outside, the seasoned dried Aku is on point too. They have assorted fresh poke, sashimi, local plate lunches, and frozen Ahi/Hamachi Kama. Everything is fresh from the auction and prices are reasonable in comparison to other poke places. read more

Flew in from Maui and went here to get some dry aku. The dry aku is the BOMB!! Best I've had in the islands!!

Why have I not been to Azama's all these years! If you follow the gps, it'll bring you close, but mine was a little off. They are on Farrington Highway, just past the Bank of Hawaii, in a little strip mall. Dried Aku. This is what I came for,$ 31.99 a pound, got 3 pounds! All red meat, no blood, but if you want blood, they sell that too! I heard about the trail mix, a mix of aku, dried shrimp, and dried tako. They don't sell this anymore, but gladly, they sell all the components for it, just mix ityourself! They also sell poke and hawaiian plates! read more

Very fresh Ahi and Aku when available, cut sashimi or blocked. Ahi poke, Opihi poke, Lomi Salmon , read more

Best dried Aku in town! If you like dried Aku...this is the place. When visiting Oahu always order to take back home (Maui)!

I am always looking for a good place to buy poke that is not expensive and you don't have to wait in line to get in. I found one called Azama Fish Wholesale. I was pleasantly surprised when I peeked in and saw the poke counter and I was even happier when I saw aku poke and loom oio. These are hard to find these days. We purchased these items and added on the pulehu taro, ahi limu poke and abag of boiled peanuts. The aku poke was the best that I have bought recently, seasoned just right. Most poke shops don't put enough salt but both pokes were nicely seasoned. The lomi oio was seasoned nicely also. This is harder to find than aku poke and their's has a thicker consistency where you can add water to stretch it. They also have raw tako which I enjoyed on a past visit. I've heard that their dried aku was the best so I will be returning. The only thing I did not care for was the boiled peanuts because I like them crunchy and their's were a little soft but a bargain at just $3 a bag. The prices are good ( aku poke- $14, ahi poke- under $20, lomi oio-$14/lb). I will be passing Tanioka's on my way to Azama Fish Wholesale. read more

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Was on the hunt for dry aku sticks for my family on the mainland. Through Yelp I found this gem right in Waipahu Got there and said what they wanted and got it quickly. Made it up to the mainland and family was happy with it, said it was one of the best dry aku they've had. Will be coming here whenever I do go mainland for my family. read more

Yes I did for the first time on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The service was friendly, selection was excellent and food was superb! I got the dry aku(cut), sashimi and one serving of opihi. All soooo onolicious! I will be back for more when I'm back in Waipahu for sure and would definitely recommend to anyone! read more

They make the best seasoned dry aku in our family's opinion! But really - give everything a try, even their Hawaiian plates are yummy. We especially love it here because the staff are very welcoming and kind. Once, I didn't look at their hours and arrived too early. An older gentlemen noticed me outside and asked if I was there for his store. He told me I was too early and asked what I was planning on purchasing...seasoned aku (of course). He smiled and said you're in luck, I just finished a batch. He let me in the store and I was able to get my aku! A true rarity nowadays! read more

It's a very small strip mall and you possibly may miss it. It's a one way parking lot, parking is very scares and the stalls are a little small. The store itself is pretty small as well. There were two people working and they were both very friendly. We went just to buy dry aku to take back to Maui. Their dry aku is suThey have them in strips but they will cut them into bite size pieces if you ask. They have aku meat, blood aku meat and mixed aku, blood aku and seasoned aku. My hubby said that the season aku was delicious but I didn't try as I don't know what ingredients is in the seasoning and have an allergy to shrimp and didn't want to take the chance. The also have laulau plates w different sides and great prices. I have heard the laulau is yummy but didn't have the opportunity to try but will definitely be back to try when I'm in town the next time. They take cash or card but I do believe there is a minimum purchase for card purchases. read more

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I ordered through the phone last minute and they had it all prepared for my Ohana to pick up. Awesome!

8/8/24 - Had a craving for lomi ʻōʻio so got off the H-1 Waipahu exit westbound and picked up a lau lau plate with it and lomi lomi salmon. Did not disappoint, and excellent service behind the counter. Beverage included, too! read more

If you like dried aku,dried or smoked tako or even dried opae well then this place is for you. This place is full different ono pupu's. Sashimi poke and all the dried fish you would want. They have two locations one in Palolo and one in Waipahu. The dried fish is so soft and flavorful and when you see the tako you just gotta have it. It a small family owned place so even if it's a little expensive it ok I'm supporting local. read more

We usually buy a couple bags of laulau, but this time they had fresh aku....one of my faves! Grabbed some aku poke, dried aku w/taegu, and pulehu tako. read more

Azama Fish Wholesale - Seafood Markets Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

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While ISO lomi oio we discovered this little gem in the middle of Waipahu. Talk about delicious.... I couldn't decide what to get so of course we tried a little of everything and everything was so Ono. Looks like we found a new spot. read more

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Got my laulau, lomi oio, lime poke, tako poke, lomi salmon. Enjoyed all of it and everything was reasonably priced.

Been going here for years. The services is always good and the workers are very nice. The overall quality of the food is great. I definitely recommend people to give them a try. read more

Best dried aku in the State in my opinion. Plain flavored or seasoned. The texture is just right and not too hard or soft. Poke selections are also good and reasonably priced. Service is straightforward and the interior has no seating. Parking can be a challenge at times. read more

Area not wheelchair friendly. Staff is friendly and helpful. Great service parking in in front of store. A small business. If you blink you will drive right pass it. Not to far from bank of Hawaii in Waipahu it's on farrington hwy. read more

The fresh Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke is so ono'licious!!! It reminds me of the old school poke that doesn't need a lot of ingredients! My new "go to place" for poke and/or poke bowl! read more

Unwelcoming and very rude lady working there. A friend from the mainland saw an online "Foodie" recommended stop at Azama Fish Market in Waipahu and asked me to try their Hawaiian lau lau plate lunch and confirm that it is as good as the online posting. I can't confirm if the food was good or not because they ran out of the food but it's how that rude female worker handled it. When i placed my order with another worker, the female worker finishing up an order with another customer shouted rudely at us that they were sold out. Not " I'm sorry but we are sold out" or " Thank you for coming" etc. Attitude like that will kill any business!! Honestly, there are lots of other places who appreciate their customers and serve really good tasting food. read more

This is my number one place to go when I'm craving dried aku! Customer service is always good! Super friendly and helpful.