Cancel

Open app

Search

Taro Ko Factory

4.5 (160 reviews)
InexpensiveFood Stands
Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Taro Ko Factory Photos

Business Info

TARO KO FACTORY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Quiet
Good for kids

You might also consider

More like Taro Ko Factory

Recommended Reviews - Taro Ko Factory

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Outside front
Jarod H.

It's never open when we go during the weekday mornings, during the posted business hours. It's hard to rate here when it's constantly closed, but Yelp keeps suggesting for me to rate here... Past memories of their food, the chips were good. The service was straightforward. The ambiance was old school, a plantation era house with a kitchen showroom. I'll update my rating again when they adhere to their business hours and not always closed.

Nelly C.

It's frustrating when storefronts don't answer. Luckily we were in the area to check out some other shops and seen the door open. First time here so I didn't know if they were open or not. Had to enter thru the small side door and asked if they were open. It's like an outdoor kitchen vibe. Would appreciate a more cleanliness area. But I guess this works. Got the taro chips. They were inconsistent with doneness of the chip and flavor. Some were saltier than most. Some burnt some still white. Bags were greasy and the wrong bags for the delicate chips. $8 is a bit steep for such an item given. The uncle there didn't make me feel welcomed at all. But it's all good. The outdoor made it feel a little scary as the strong front looks a bit run down.

John T.

I felt pretty lucky. I was on Kauai for the day and stopped by here on a whim at around midday; fully expecting them to be closed or sold out. Initially the placed looked closed, as there were no cars outside, and the closed sign was on the door. However, I saw an elderly man inside, whom I assumed was the owner. I got out to check and he showed me the few bags they had remaining for sale. I got one of the regular potato chips and one of the regular taro chips. I'd give the place 4.5 stars based on their product. But the customer service is what brings this place down. Namely, the owner just seems like he is incapable of being happy or being nice to his customers. Any question I asked was met with a rude, insulting response. I didn't let his negativity bring me down, but yah, he shouldn't be the one that deals with customers at all. I feel bad for someone to be that negative and unhappy.

The happy man grew up 70+ years ago next door. Still working at this wonderful place he calls home
Claudia L.

Takes me back to 50 years ago.. like a time capsule.. Food is great but the nostalgia is irreplaceable

Wina G.

When my cousins heard I was going to Kauai island, they told me " you HAVE to go here. It blows away any of the commercially made ones sold in stores. " Well they were right. It's a little ramshackle house, I thought it was closed because the front door looked shut but there was a little side door open. Poked my head in, didn't see anyone at first but then an older guy came to the front and tells me "dis all get, grab your own". ( we came in the afternoon). Man of few words- real Taisho but we didn't come to have a few beers and talk story. There were plain taro chips, sweet potato chips and potato chips. I think there was also ling hing flavored chips mixed in the box of the potato chips. Each bag was $5. Yep- these taro chips are best I've had. Really crispy, lightly salted and not greasy. My friends got some of the potato chips and told me they were good. The place is in Hanapepe, just as you turn into the valley on the left as you head in. Just look for an old buss-up house. Not really a place to park, just pull up to the side or park further in town and walk up. Well worth the trip! Cash only.

three bags of torto chips

See all

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

23 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Anna F.
125
536
3574

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Jarod H.
397
364
20272

1 year ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2
Photo of Alma S.
15
12
38

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

AMAZING! The chips are to die for! The trick is to find him open! Hanapepe is the best little gem on the island!

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Erica B.
1
114
178

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of D C.
59
32
0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lisa C.
237
13
15

2 years ago

I'm on Oahu but every time I come back to Kauai I pick up chips from here! My fave is the taro chips but I also enjoy the li hing chips.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jasmine O.
141
34
27

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Sammie N.
11
103
7

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Amy Y.
435
1233
3915

9 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Yoonie L.
2124
632
48659

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

The taro chips are fantastic. Love the fresh texture and love the small business theme...when you sell out, you're pau for the day!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

These are the best chips around. No others compare. I've been buying these for years and will continue to do so.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Izzy P.
207
36
4

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 4

Taro Ko Factory Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Taro Ko Factory

How long are the chips good for? Want to bring some back to mainland as omiyage

What hours are they open?

Until they sell out, First Come, First Serve. Get there as soon as possible

Is this place open? Google maps reports this place closed but there's a recent review here from a week ago.

Yes they are open. The man said he didn't want to pay yelp so they have him as closed. But yes go there

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Taro Ko Factory

If you go late in the day - we did - he may only have regular and uala (sweet potato) chips, so go early.

Mentioned in 43 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Food Stands 159 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Happy Eats

Happy Eats

4.9(33 reviews)
14.7 mi

First - and most important- Happy Eats is in a new location. It's in the Walmart parking lot near…read moredowntown Lihue. It's at the far end of the parking lot, near the main road. Apple Maos doesn't know this and sent us to the old address on Rice Street (which is now full of construction equipment). There is no ambience, which in itself, makes it fun. Roasting chickens in a Walmart parking lot...for one of the best meals you will get! There's one large table which becomes communal if need be. And the staff couldn't be nicer - chat them up if they aren't too busty (which they aren't, because no one except locals and visitors who get tipped off know where they are for now). We got the marinated chicken and an a la carte order of lechon, and both were delicious. Order enough for leftovers. I later used the lechon to make a sandwich using Midnight Bear sourdough bread, a ripe avocado purchased that day from the Kauai Community Market, the tomato and onion that came with the lechon, and drenched it all in the sauce provided. Paradise!

Food: We got the Happy Plate to try a bit of everything. The ribs are very tasty and flavorful…read more Between marinated and dry chicken, the latter one is more salty, but both of them go well with the chili water. It's such a refreshing flavor! Service: very sweet ladies help us with orders. Ambiance: they are a good stand in the parking lot, so the sun was a bit stinging.

Photos
Happy Eats - Happy Eats plate, packaged in foil  all ready for the plane ride!

Happy Eats plate, packaged in foil all ready for the plane ride!

Happy Eats - Combo plate with ribs and chicken

Combo plate with ribs and chicken

Happy Eats

See all

D Manaku - Mango Bread

D Manaku

5.0(6 reviews)
24.2 mi

After reading the reviews here, I knew we had to stop on our way up to the North Shore. If you put…read morethe address here in your GPS it should take you here no problem, but there is a little sign on the highway stating World's Best Mango Bread. The owner, Daniel, was out front in his yard in a little shack, he offered us a sample of the mango bread to try before buying and we bought a loaf for $10. It was wrapped in a metal tin and pretty cellophane, which was great for traveling. He recommended that we heat it up a little in the toaster oven and that is exactly what we did - so good! He also said his grandkids like to put ice cream on it lol I am sure that is good but we won't be trying it that way. It is so sweet and moist you really do not need to add anything to it. He had pickled mango and leis for sale as well, but I do not believe there were any other products available. I recommend going fairly early as he only had 5 loaves left when we arrived around 11:30am. Keep an eye out for the beautiful geese on his property as well!

Saw a sign saying "Worlds Beat Mango Bread" so we had to stop. The bread was out of this world. So…read morefresh and delicious. One of the best things I ate while visiting Kauai. Daniel was such a nice man. We stood and spoke to him for about 20 minutes. The stories he spoke of I'll never forget. Thank you Daniel. Hope we meet again. And thank you for your service to our great country.

Photos
D Manaku
D Manaku - Mango bread

Mango bread

D Manaku

See all

Taro Ko Factory - foodstands - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...