The side kick…read more.. Banchan has been the item that I've always looked forward to whenever I order a plate and never really knew that it had a name and as everyone has their favorite so did I and there are a few places that you can find some yummy banchan I had no idea about Hawaii Banchan Company but know that Elite Peter Y had gotten some snacks from there that I enjoyed and knew that I had to give them a visit one day...where!? You can find them right on Kapiolani though you can barely seem them from the street view as it's not the prominent located spot as they're located right below The Republik right beside the ramp where you can find several parking stalls it shares with other tenants. Open daily except Sunday I love how clean and spacious the shop is where each item is labeled along with price so you know without picking up the item to search makes browsing very easy with items like drinks, snacks both savory and sweet and of course display case filled with various banchan. Love the convenience of this location and now know that I can now find some of the unique items they carry and though I didn't walk away with banchan on this day know that my cravings will certainly bring me back. Thank you!

A lot of interesting Korean groceries here. And except for the hot food in styrofoam trays,…read moreeverything is imported from Korea! I got to try some real Korean kimchi. It's sour with good umami flavor. I'm not a real Korean so I prefer kimchi that is a bit more fresh and not as aged, but I can see how some would like it. I also tried their japchae made in house. Not bad, but definitely not the best I've had, not enough sesame oil for my taste. They also have the popular fried strawberries snacks for sale. I also got a frozen musubi and some abalone congee to try. (The congee is really tasty!) There's also the famous fancy hotel kimchi for sale here if that's what you're into. All the products look interesting!

I've enjoyed going to 1-2 Buy since they were in their old, warehouse-like location. Now they're in…read morea shiny new space that is more like a normal store with shelves. I always come here "just to look," but end up with a gigantic, branded reusable bag filled to the brim with imported Asian snacks. Many Chinese products, but also Korean, Japanese, Thai, etc. Snacks range from exotic chip flavors to candies and sodas. Further back you'll find more substantial instant noodle meals. The Chinese ones are actually great and are way more complex ingredients-wise than your standard instant noodle. Also in the back are Chinese cooking ingredients such as sauces and dry goods, but my favorite is the super thick, wide glass noodles that I use for hot pot. There's also a small section with Asian toiletry products that I've personally never tried. I must say it feels like there is less variety of items since they moved locations. Some snacks are repeated in different spots on the shelves to make it look like there's more variety. My favorite latiao that I used to get at their old location is no longer available. :( I'll keep coming back regularly because they're always getting new items in stock.

Hooray! One 2 Buy has added price tags to most of the items!…read more A number of items I looked at had English nutrition labels as well. Not everything, but it's a great improvement. The back of the store now has lights on. You can see in the back of the store. You no longer need to be apprehensive about venturing in the back of the previously unlit store. There is air conditioning, however, it doesn't seem to work well. I was in here for ten minutes and perspiring due to humidity and heat. I asked the one employee if she was uncomfortable in working in this heat. She replied that they are required to keep the front door open to let customers know it's open, so much of the cooled air escapes. It is crazy warm inside. Service is good. The one employee must stock, look out for customers and ring up sales. There is a half off table that I didn't observe in the past. Some of the drinks in the refrigerated section appear ready to burst. Overall, plus one star for labeling and price tags. I picked up a few sugar free and low calorie drinks to try here.

Great products, unique products and the rice! High quality rice. If you say there's no difference,…read moreyou are mistaken. There is a difference. Picked up some dashi, Wafu steak sauce, rice, Onolab vegan kimchee, and some konbu mix for my miso soup! Staff is friendly and helpful. Did I mention the store is so Kawai!

I've been coming to The Rice Factory every year I visit Hawaii. I've carried bags of rice home in…read moremy luggage more times than I can count. That's how much I believe in what they sell. Which makes this review frustrating to write. The rice is exceptional. The sourcing is thoughtful, the seasonal varieties are genuinely special and if you care about Japanese rice, this place deserves its reputation. The service does not. On my latest visit I walked in with my family, including my two and four year old. If you've ever shopped with kids that age, you know you're already working overtime keeping little hands off displays, making sure nothing gets broken, trying to be respectful of the space. Not once did anyone greet us. No hello. No welcome. No acknowledgment that we'd even walked through the door. When I asked what I thought was a perfectly reasonable question whether I should buy the limited seasonal rice or the variety I'd enjoyed on a previous visit the answer felt dismissive, almost like I was wasting their time. If you're building a business around expertise, helping customers understand the differences shouldn't feel like pulling teeth. That's the entire point of having knowledgeable staff. Yes, the parking is inconvenient. Yes, the prices are premium. I can live with both because the product is genuinely excellent. What I can't understand is why a store built around craftsmanship seems so indifferent to hospitality. I still bought the rice because it's that good. But I left feeling like my business was expected, not appreciated. I sincerely hope they improve because I'd rather support them than look elsewhere. But if another shop opens with rice of this quality and people who simply smile, say hello and take a minute to help customers make a decision, I'll switch without thinking twice. The rice earns five stars. The experience earns one.

Fantastic store for spices, chilies and more! Plus you get more for your money here too. Very good…read moreprices. I was surprised. Great little market but with plenty of those harder to find specialty ingredients. Also the service here is excellent! Very helpful and knowledgeable about ideas for ingredient substitutions and they helped me with a smile. I will definitely be coming back and recommending this store to others.

Waiting for more merch.hope they sell produce glad they came to our side of town. Looking too many…read moreyears of enjoying their products, hope they get more cuban stuff in

A small convenience store that sells Asian goods and daily food specials. Call in for specials…read more No air conditioning here or tables. Just take out. It's pretty dark inside. A variety of unique drinks such as a zero sugar watermelon and strawberry flavored sparkling seltzer water. Thanks Donna O.! Interesting items you won't find in a Safeway. Similar to 1-2 Buy, but on a much smaller scale. Service was 4/5 stars. Nice lady said she will contact me when the ginger plum candy comes into the store! Free parking is limited here. Careful as you enter and exit the parking lot. Big dip. Prices appear reasonable here. Check expiration dates before buying. Ambiance: 2/5 stars. Food: Drinks were refreshing and hydrating. 4/5 stars

Shopping in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. Donna O. raved about Provinces Snacks on School Street. I read her review and knew that the shop had some free parking spaces next to the snack/convenience store. One thing that could be improved in the shop is the air-conditioning... I think there was none. Service was very pleasant! The cashier knew Donna when I mentioned her name. Shop keepers usually want to know how you found out about them. Merchandise was plentiful and had much variety. Basic groceries, cookies, candies, chips, etc. were neatly arranged on the shelves. Sanrio character plushies, keychains, and other items were either by the cashier or behind her. I looked at the Sale Items and got the Roasted garlic-flavored peanuts. They were good, but didn't have much garlic essence. LOL! I'll return and try something else like Spiced Braised Beef Flavor Lay's potato chips!

Absolutely loved the chicken katsu omakase at J Shop. The whole experience felt thoughtful,…read moreelevated, and still comforting in that way only really great Japanese-inspired food can be. The chicken katsu was the star -- perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and seasoned just right. What made it even better was the omakase presentation, where each course felt intentional and paced well, making the meal feel special from start to finish. Everything came together beautifully with great flavor, texture, and attention to detail. Service was friendly and the overall vibe made it feel like a fun, memorable dining experience rather than just another meal. Definitely a place I'd return to and recommend to anyone who appreciates a creative take on katsu done really well.

Who knew? By day,…read moreJ-Shop is a retail store selling imported fresh produce, meats and fish from Japan (tip- Thursdays are fresh fish delivery day) By night- an Izakaya serving great 'FRESH" food made upon order. And the price? Well, it's priced right! Seats about 12 people TOTAL. I might be shooting myself in the foot by revealing what I consider to be a great kept secret! OR. I must have been living under a rock NOT to have known about this place. (OK, I've been to the market during the day but never knew about the night time activities). I will caution the food takes time to get prepared so be on top of your order or it may get lost in the shuffle (or lost in sake) It's BYOB and like other izakaya with BYOB policy; be sure you bring some adult beverage for the chef and his workers. Sashimi Omakase? The best!

Easy and abundant parking and good selection of grocery and sundry items. The prepared foods…read moreassortment is great! If I take an early flight from HNL to the Mainland, I go shopping the evening before to get bento for the flight.

This store has a lot of products, food, and drinks to choose from. So much great food and…read moredrinks...my goodness! The hot foods and cold foods like the sushi...amazing! I really enjoy the hot food line they have. Everyday there's different dishes they have you can purchase for plate lunches. The store is pretty clean. The only thing is that the store needs to have the floor fixed and redone. The floor has cracks all over the store. Plus the floors are uneven. If you leave your shopping cart unattended, you may see your cart rolling off in different directions due to the uneven floor. The staff is friendly and helpful.

Always come here for their 10lb snow crab legs. Workers are approachable and friendly. Great…read morecustomer service! Prices are reasonable. Only downside is the parking, it can get crowded and difficult to find.

Richard's Meat Market is a wholesale store but they do open for Retail Sales. Their prices are…read morecheaper than at the stores or in Chinatown. Only thing is nowadays there's the road work for the rail in the area so it could be quite crazy getting there. They used to Open on Saturdays b4 Covid but no Saturdays now.