Churning out soybean curds since 1950, the operation has always been a family business, focused on…read moreusing high-quality ingredients while keeping the process as simple as possible. No added preservatives mean that none of the products are exported, meaning that they will always be solely local treasures. Luckily, these gems are easy to plunder, found in any grocery store worth its square footage on the island and of course, directly from their factory in Kalihi. Don't let the brand name fool you: They make much more than just bean curd cakes in that unassuming downtown factory. In addition to okara, soymilk, and konnyaku, their natto could be considered something of a game changer, since almost all commercial varieties are frustratingly pre-seasoned with bonito dashi. Long ago I had given up on enjoying this admittedly polarizing pleasure, but Aloha Tofu's delightfully slimy little number is 100% vegan, through and through. For the uninitiated, it's generally a love or hate experience, with little space for ambiguity, although one of the best ways to ease into natto appreciation is with the aid of piping hot miso soup. The warm broth helps dissolve the stringy stickiness, while the miso paste pairs harmoniously with the funky, fermented whole soybean flavor. Even if you've found it hard to swallow before, a better brand can make all the difference in the world.

Shopping in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawai'i…read more.. Aloha Tofu is a popular grocery item - I buy this product at local stores, and it's always consistently fresh and reliable. I saw (on Instagram) that Aloha Tofu Factory was celebrating their 75th Anniversary by selling Tofu at the factory for 75 cents a block! Wow! What a great deal! However, I didn't want to stand in line with the crowd. Later, I saw an Instagram contest where the prize was a gift card, a special bottle of ponzu sauce, and a commemorative bottle of soy sauce from Aloha Tofu Factory! The prize also included a gift card from Restaurant Suntory and hi_grindz. Wow! What a great package... And I won it! Thank you so much! It was an educational experience because I found out where the factory is and that they not only have soft and firm tofu available for sale, but they also have merchandise and fresh soy milk! I bought pens, towels, and note pads! The packaging is so clever! Service was efficient, polite, and friendly! This is such an authentic local business with Aloha Spirit! I'm so happy to have found this clean, bright, and cool place! I look forward to returning and getting more gifts here!

One of my fondest childhood memories is going to Tamashiro Market with my dad…read more When we lived in Kalihi, this was our usual spot. And even after we moved, we would still drive out just to come here for the seafood. That's how special it was to us. The reason why he chose Tamashiro over other grocery stores was simple--it was quality and because of my Nanay (grandma). His mom purchased from here and made so many delicious dishes. He knew what to look for, and he trusted this place. For him, it wasn't just about buying food... it was about getting the best for his family. My dad isn't the type to say "I love you." He shows it. One of the biggest ways he showed love was through his cooking. Even after a long day on his feet cooking for others, he would come home and cook for us. That was his way of taking care of us. I loved coming here with him. It was a five-senses overload--the smell of fresh seafood, the sound of people talking story, the colors of fish on display. Back then when you were allowed to sample a grape or poke to make sure it was good before buying. But more than that, it was time with him. I still remember the excitement I felt when I saw the pink building with the huge crab. I thought back then was to look at everything but now I understand that it meant something more..... something special--time with my dad. It's with a sad heart that Tamishiro Market is now closed. Thank you, Tamashiro, for providing quality food and memories for so many years. You were more than a market--you were part of my childhood

Goodbye to another Hawaii landmark! Tamashiro Market is closing its doors on April 30, 2026…read more FPO and I went the Sunday before for one last tour of the legendary fish market. It looked the same as it did the first time I went with my grandfather. I picked up a couple pounds of dry aku for my favorite sister and some tee shirts as memorabilia. It was pretty busy and I expect that will continue until They close. Still, the people were nice and very helpful. I'm really going to miss it!

Nisshodo is an old-school mom-and-pop shop making handmade mochi treats. Tucked away among…read morewarehouses not far from Costco and the airport, it's easy to miss--but I always make a point to stop here and bring home mochi as souvenirs for family. It never disappoints! They make some of the softest, pillowy mochi you'll ever have. Their most popular is the chi chi dango, individually wrapped like little candies. But don't miss the lychee, lilikoi, and Melona flavors either!

Love the chichi dango…read more The last few times the flavored mochi was lumpy and the flavor tasted artificial. Still highly recommend their chichi dango which has not changed. We grab lbs to bring home and they keep well.

I loved it here 25.00 for a pound and you can put toppings on it. Costco sells it and it is…read moreslightly cheaper but they make them fresh here. They have discount cards you can get as you spend you get some deal sorry I forgot the deal but ask for one if you're local. My husband threw ours out.

Jimmy Chan started with a small table-top fryer at local craft fairs and offered made-to-order taro…read moreand Okinawan sweet potato chips with various seasonings in Ziploc bags. It took off so well that in 2000, he founded Hawaiian Chip Company in Kalihi. Today, Hawaiian Chip Company uses only the highest quality Okinawan sweet potatoes and taro grown on the Big Island and Oahu's North Shore and golden sweet potatoes grown on Molokai to make their gourmet chips. This assures only the freshest and highest quality chips that they can produce. They also use canola oil (trans-fat free) and minimal amounts of sodium, and are preservative-free. The Hawaiian Chip Co.'s has expanded its product line over the years and offers the following: * Taro and sweet potato chips mix. Combine earthly richness of taro with the subtle sweetness of Okinawan and golden sweet potatoes of five flavors of hand-peeled, thinly sliced chips that are lightly seasoned: original (lightly salted), zesty garlic, Kiawe BBQ, Kiawe Fire, and sugar coated. * BBQ and hot sauces. The Kilauea Fire BBQ sauce was introduced in 2008, which has a spicy kick and great as a marinade for beef, chicken, pork; can be used as a dipping sauce. The Kilauea Fire Hot Sauce is spicier and less sweet than the Kilauea Fire BBQ Sauce. This led to the Raging Volcano Hot Sauce, which is a vinegar-based hot sauce and the spiciest hot sauce that they make. They also offer a Papaya Seed Salad Dressing. * Collaboration with Eden in Love in offering colorful logo tote bags. * Menehune Mac Hawaiian chocolates. The Honolulu Chip Co. acquired this line in 2021, a hand-scooped dessert of rich chocolates and HI-grown mac nuts favored by locals and visitors since 1939, is being presently 888qdiscontinued. As labor is intensive for the candies to be hand-scooped, there is difficulty in finding quality workers, and it was simply not feasible to continue I was first introduced to the taro and sweet potato chip mix that was sold in Costco, as most people do. You can get this exact item at a lower price in their showroom, plus it may be fresher. For home snacking, I love their Bits of Chips, a mixture of whole chips and broken pieces that are sold at a discounted price. They are not always available, as it depends on when the chips are available and made. It is suggested to call the store to inquire if there are any available. Once we were taking our Pastor friend and his wife from Japan around the island, and they wanted to stop there to purchase a bag of Bits of Chips and hand-carried it back to Japan! Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Samples are freely given out as you enter the showroom, and you can take it out back and try the different toppings. Service is efficient and quick. The building houses its small showroom retail store and is their factory where the chips are cut and fried. Hours of operation are Mon to Fri 9a to 5p, Sat 9a to 3p, Sun closed. Lots of free parking in their private lot. Cross the street and visit their sister showroom, 'Ulu Chip Factory, where you can find seasonal breadfruit chips combined with cassava chips, as well as the the Keith's cookies line. Trump's tariff implementation has raised prices twice in 2025 with increased packaging costs due to supplies coming from China. But when you have that craving for these delicious chips and sauces, price may not matter. These chips and sauces will always be there for all to enjoy! Support local!

A worthy alternative to 7-11 for decent, fast, to-go food. I've been a few times and my rotation…read moreincludes the potato swirl, spam musubis (of course), the corn dogs, and the highball in a can. Once in a blue, blue moon the missus and I will get instant ramen; last time, we made the combo from Parasite. The area can get a smidge rough, but always manageable, even at night (just don't be lah dee da-ing around). Service has always been quick and the location is well-lighted. On my "certified" list fasho!

A little Korean mart with a bunch of delicious snacks to try. It's like a Korean 7/11. The mart is…read morevery clean and well stocked. The employees are friendly and efficient. What makes this place stand out is the selection of snacks they offer and their Ramyun Library. So many delicious choices and you can get hot water to make and eat your Ramyun in store. Unfortunately there is no seating so if you have accessibility needs, this may not be the place to enjoy your treats in store. Some of the snacks are a little on the pricey side... I saw a snack size bag of chips for $7. I get these are imported but that seemed a little excessive. I really enjoyed their variety of hot foods. It's no 7/11 however if you're in the area and want something a little different, I recommend you give it a try.

Grocery shopping in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. Cooking healthy soups - especially for the kupuna (senior citizens) at church - has been my new hobby. I've been browsing through The Marketplace at City Square for inspiration. I visit the various produce vendors and look at their fresh veggies. From long beans and taro, to squash, carrots, and bok choi, I try to get the freshest ingredients. That's why Island Green Produce caught my attention. Located next to Chuck E. Cheese, this produce vendor is on the right side of the entrance as you walk through the door. Besides having papaya at 79 cents per pound, Island Green Produce had certain items pre-packaged. They seemed more sanitary - especially the kabocha (pumpkin), which was peeled and cut! I thought, "Wow... that's really convenient!" The friendly, efficient cashier weighed and put my bag of kabocha in a bigger bag. Thank you! I can't wait to add fresh kabocha to my soup! It's colorful and tasty! I'm sure that everyone will appreciate a hot soup on a chilly 67°F January evening in Honolulu!!

My first time here at an indoor farmer's market that has everything you will need. There's…read moredifferent vendors that sell fruits, homemade cooked meals, seafood and other grocery items. We came to look around and ended up buying all kinds of fresh, sweet and juicy fruits. From pineapples to green mangoes, ripe yellow mangoes, papayas, dragon fruit and others. I bought the fruits and took them to my hotel and had them for breakfast each day for the week! Every vendor owners was super nice. You can use any type of payment (cash, credit, Apple Pay). I would come back here again for groceries next time I visit Oahu. It's such a chill place compared to a city in mainland. Please keep growing sweet & juicy fruits!

Came in on National mochi day and got a complimentary habutae mochi with a strawberry on top! Of…read morecourse, I could not resist picking up some other treats while there. Got my favorite tsunami (white bean) mochi and saw a matcha butter mochi that I just had to try. The mochi had good texture and the flavors were good. The matcha in the butter mochi is delicate. Everything in the shop has good presentation and all the mochi is packaged in cute little containers. There are other Japanese snacks and cute stickers you can get there also. Lovely local mochiya offering freshly made treats!

The peanut butter mochi was really yummy! The mochi was so soft and chewy, and then you get that…read morelittle crunch from the peanuts inside--such a nice texture combination. We also tried the peanut butter Oreo flavor, which was a fun twist. We got 4 pieces for $10.88 cash. Definitely tasty, but a little pricey for a small dessert lol.

The Queen's Medical Center Farmer's Market is held on the 1st Wednesday of every month in the…read moreHarkness Courtyard area from about 9am until 1pm. Look for the white tents in 2 rows that are surrounded by rectangular hedges. The vendors can change at any time. Some of the vendors I've seen includes Aloha Bakehouse (home-made baked goods, breads with fillings https://alohabakehouseandcafe.com/), Bistro Blends (truffle infused, gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars https://www.instagram.com/balsamichawaii/?hl=en), Da Manju Lady (Manju, jello mochi candy https://www.instagram.com/da_manjulady/), Mana Sandwiches (made with BRUG Bakery bread, premium heavy cream, 100% fresh fruits and loca sourced ingredients https://www.manasandwiches.com/), Nabeya Maido (signature MicrowavaBowls https://www.nabeyamaidohawaii.com/), Ohana Fresh Produce (variety of Asian vegetables, tropical fruits, herbs, and cut fruit), Pollen Flowers (plants and flowers https://www.instagram.com/pollenflowershawaii/), Roti-SI (porchetta sandwiches https://www.instagram.com/roti_si.hi/), Saki's Aloha Lab (handcrafted fermented syrup https://alohas-lab.square.site/), Sou's Thai (Thai food made with locally sourced ingredients), Sweet Revenge (fresh homemade pie with local ingredients http://www.sweetrevengehonolulu.com/), and Teruya's Andagi (local Japanese food bentos and andagi https://www.teruyasandagi.com/). Things I've tried include the Porchetta Sandwich from Roti. A bit messier to eat. Summer Rolls, Spring Rolls, Chicken Pad Thai (recommended), and Papaya Salad from Sou's Thai. There is a card minimum purchase at $10+. The Aloha Citrus Quencher from Da Manju Lady. This has lemonade and butterfly pea flower in it so it changes color. Tonkatsu and Tamagoyaki Bento sandwiches (life changing, recommended) from Mana Sandwiches. Bada's BBQ Brisket Combo: Smoked pork belly, tallow infused shoyu broth from Nabeya Maido. Very interesting broth concept here where it melts in the microwave, no extra water needed. Walk around, look at things, try different things out :)

Farmers Market is held on the 1st Wednesday of each month. There are many food vendors. They…read moreinclude Sweet Revenge fruit and meat pies; Mana Musubi; Teruya bentos, andagi, and mochi; Aloha Bake Shop bread with meat; and other.

After reading John N.'s review of this place earlier this month and because I do most of my produce…read moreshopping in Chinatown I just had to check this place out. As the stereotypical Chinese I want things fresh and cheap. Yikes, not sure if that was phrased properly........ Okay, let's start again. When shopping there are 2 factors for me: freshness and economical. And now that we are more conscientious of our health organic is the way to go. So when you factor those 3 together, B I Farm is the place to shop. Located in the far back stall of Maunakea Marketplace (as you enter from the doors that are facing North Hotel Street) B I Farms have their harvest on tables nicely displayed with handwritten prices. In the handful of times I've shopped here the produce are fresh and alive - - when you pick up a bunch of veggies they are not wilted and dried out. They mostly carry vegetables but do carry some fruits (bananas and papayas) depending on availability. As mentioned in John N.'s review, you need to come here early because they get "raided" by the regulars who shop here. Unfortunately, I usually don't make it to Chinatown until after 9am so I pretty much select from their "leftovers". So for you shoppers who are looking for fresh and cheap......I mean, if you're looking for freshness, economical and organic - - then this is the place for you. NOTES: 1) Typical Chinatown parking. You need to either find meter parking or at the municipal lots. With the police substation nearby, I don't recommend you to park on the streets because there are MANY loading zones and you'll get ticketed if you park in these areas. 2) CASH only. 3) They are open daily but keep in mind that Maunakea Marketplace is closed on some MAJOR holidays and when this happens, the gates are closed so vendors and stalls are also closed.

Best place in Chinatown to get vegetables, often at only $1.00 a bunch! Owner is Vietnamese lady…read morewho owns her farm on North Shore, fresh, fresh, freshhhhhh vegetables all the time and herbs, also only a dollar, always fresh never wilted like other stands. MUST GO THER EARLY IN THE MORNING OR THE PLACE WILL BE EMPTY! Her produce is that good! I've spent time comparing to other vendors and nothing can compare!!! WARNING: closed on Tuesdays! B. I. Farms is on Hotel street, right past the bus stop. Try them out! You won't regret buying your vegetables for $1.00 from there. I love making stir fry with all the produce I get there!

We were driving by when I told my husband to pull over. One of the menu pics caught my eye. It was…read morebuy one get one free watermelon slushy. I love watermelon juice and had to get it. We got two for $9. It was soooo good and refreshing. They blend it with fresh watermelon and the watermelon was sweet. I want to go back and get more. They sell mostly Chinese food. They have some dim sum items and manapuas; both steamed and deep fried. I have to try some of their food next time I'm here. It looks really good in the pics. I wanted to order some food, but my hubby was rushing me out of there. We were illegally parked and couldn't stay long. They don't have parking. It's street parking only.

Ordered delivery. The tea cookie was drier than toast. Hard to choke it down, seriously need tea to…read moreeat it. Should be call tea biscitti instead. Got 2 red bean buns. So tiny for the price!! Like half the size of most manapua. And it was dry and hard. Like WTF. Ordered the steamed gau zee. This was just ok. Golden Duck does it wayyyy better for bigger ones with better filling at the same price. In all this place sucked lemons.