One of the best textures for dried aku I've ever had. Flavor is not overly sweet and just the right saltiness.

I was introduced to this shop by a local while spending a month on the island ~10 years back. Was told this was THE BEST DRIED AKU EVER and I can tell you it exceeded expectations!! This place was so good, my wife and I trekked ~2 miles just to pick some up to bring home to the mainland. It's a small simple shop with some delicious home eats. Was told the Miso Butterfish was excellent as well. Hoping to make another trip before I leave to bring some back to the mainland again! read more

dry fish food poison me! do not buy they need to clean there equipment. fish smell like toe jams!

Yummy I love aku it was very tasty. Dried aku is super good best quality ever would reccomend

Wonderful Family Owned Business with Wonderful Tasting Smoked Aku! They have plain and with sesame oil and They are both Delicious! Happy New Year 2026!! read more

Best dry aku in the world!! Always one of my stops when in Oahu!! No can compare!! Service is always great!! My son says it's like candy one pound is not enough!! read more

I bought some dried Aku to send to the mainland the ladies were helpful in packing it for me so it stayed fresh. The store was clean and bright. I will be going there again. read more

I need to mention their Lau Lau too. Large in size and perfectly seasoned. The pork used is of good quality,tender and moist.

I've only had the dry fish here but it's hands down thee best ever! Not your typical hard like rock or all blood meat fish. It's soft and luscious and oh so tasty! I recommend calling ahead. They will let you know if there's enough available. I also recommend asking them to cut it for you if you want it ready to eat otherwise they'll just weigh it and give it to you in whole sticks. There's not much parking as it's next to a laundromat but it's a easy in and out transaction. It's a definite hole in the wall so easy to miss it. Very mom and pop vibes and old school yumminess! read more

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Nice owners, very friendly and personable. First time trying. Street parking. Daily hours 8am-5pm. Counter service. No tables or chairs. Popular items: Laulau $12/bag of 3 (good size) Dried aku $31/per pound or $10/bag (cut up) Lomi salmon $4.99/pound Miso butter fish $20/pound Everything very fresh. This location is on 10th Avenue, next to laundromat. Close to Northshore Grinds. read more

CASH ONLY A friend from Maui asked me to buy her some Dry Aku. I had never heard of this store. It was tucked away in Palolo not far from Waialae Ave. There are only a few street parking stalls if they are available. I walked in and it smelt like steamed Laulaus which they sell as well. I looked in the glass case where they're a few items. I asked about the Dry Aku. I ordered 1 lb and she weighed and bagged it for me. The quality was very clean with NO skin or blood. Next time I'll buy some for myself. read more

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It was a sunny Saturday so remembering what my mechanic told me: "Machines going break down whether you run em or not. Mo betta the thing broke riding em than sitting around yah?" With that, I decided to take my dormant moped out for a spin. But where to go? Then, I remembered my coworker bringing back a bag of dried aku. The aku was soft and moist, which brought back memories of some dried aku I got from an aku boat captain back in the hay days. The captain and crew would clean and filet a few of the fresh-caught aku and place them in a dry box on the bow of the ship. As they continue to pursue the school, sea sprays coming over the bow would season the strips of aku. At the end of the day, when they come back in to port, it would be ready. Not too dry and it won't break your jaw. The bag of dried aku my coworker had was seasoned with black pepper with just the right amount of moisture retained in the meat. "I got em from Azama Market in Kaimuki." The name sounds familiar..... I looked up Azama Market and I was surprised. It's right before Hobitat, a store I go to when I want to make trolling lures! I passed the store all this time and never knew if it were open or closed. There's a shutter that I've never seen open and the door next to it looked like it was blocked. I decided I'd go check it out on my moped. I headed up Harding Ave because I didn't want to go up Waialae, as I might hold up traffic. My bike used to do 40mph but that was 20 pounds ago.... I took a left on 10th ave and headed straight up. A couple of blocks past Waialae and I was there. I then realized that there was another door near the corner of the building which was the one that was in use. From the outside, it doesn't look like it's open, but when I entered, I was greeted by a gentle elderly lady. The refrigerated display had some product in there. Miso butterfish...poke... and dry aku. $34 / lb. HOLY SMOKES! I know it's been eons since I've gone shopping for dry aku but I remember it as being somewhere in the $7.99 / lb price range! (Yeah. That long!) There was a couple of bags of the seasoned dried aku my coworker shared with me and it was $10 each. I reached for my wallet and just then, I noticed a sign that read: CASH ONLY. Oh geez!! I haven't carried much cash since the pandemic started!! I opened my wallet and was relieved to find two fives and a few ones. I paid for the small bag and was talking to the lady about the aku I used to get from the aku boat captain. She mentioned that she knew a few too and we both talked for a few minutes. I spent a few pleasant moments and went on my way. I zipped back home, doing 42 mph (down hill!) and when I got home, my neighbor was outside so I shared my loot with him. "Ho! This is ono!! Just like from the boats in Kewalo Basin!" He was munching on the dried aku bits like popcorn and asked where I got it and how much. "Azama Market on 10th ave. $10 for that bag." I never knew us Asians could open our eyes that big! "10 bucks! Holy *%#@!!!" He promptly closed the bag and handed it back to me. "Take em away before I kaukau the whole thing!" I know aku is scarce these days. I've been on my friend's boat and we went trolling along the Waianae shoreline. There used to be piles of fish boiling the waters with birds galore 20 years ago. It looks like a desert now. Even if we're lucky enough to come across a school, they're tiny by aku standards. We used to hook 25 pounders but now, we're lucky to catch anything over 10. That's the reason for the sky-high price. Aku has become a commodity here. If you think $30 / lb is expensive, I believe it'll get higher in the future. Get it while you can! If you're going to get it, go get it at Azama on 10th ave. They make em good!! read more

I come here for the lau laus and miso butterfish....just be aware that the lau laus are getting scare because of a shortage in luau leaves. Mr. and Mrs. Azama are 2 of the hardest working people you'll ever meet! They are in early and work late into the evening... Nice fully stuffed lau laus are my favorite and they are 3/$12. I usually buy a bag, take them home, individually bag and freeze until I need a lau lau. Just one is great for dinner!.. Be aware that parking can sometimes be a challenge so if you can bring a "shotgun" rider that can run in and get your treats, be prepared to hunt for parking....believe me, it's worth it! read more

I Had To Let The Secret Out! Sorry Mr. Azama! Only For My Fellow Yelpers! I know that there is one review with Azama K Fish Wholesale but this is the true spelling of this true Mom & Pops secret place! I know by sharing this,it's going to run out my supply of "So Ono The Best In The State Miso Butterfish Supply" but I had to share it with my fellow Yelpers to enjoy! WHY: Hands down! If you Enjoy grilling miso butterfish(I know that your mouth is watering now)this is the Best Place to pick it up! Not only does the Azama's have the best miso butter fish,they also have great Lau Lau's to take home, The cleanest dried Aku that you will eat. Tempura Fish cake on the weekends(So Ono!) If you are going to pick up miso butter fish, it would be a good idea to call ahead to make sure that there is an ample supply on hand and preorder the fish. The price at this review time is $17.95lb ( Not bad..if you ever ate Miso Butterfish at a really good Japanese restaurant,how much did you pay for that small little piece of fish???...Lol!!) I Guarantee You that everyone that eats it will turn and tell you.. "HOLY SH_T THIS IS BEST BUTTERFISH THAT I EVER ATE" ..Just Smile :) and tell them I Know!!! ...SHHHH! YELP Secret!!! read more

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You know how sometimes it's hard to decide what to order? So you end up getting everything. After many visits you'll realize that you could pretty much order anything here and it will be good. Trust that builds when you realize your dealing with someone who has truly mastered food. The happy moment of stepping into his very unassuming domain brings joy in your walk...you begin to skip in to his shop. Occasionally you'll find other goodies like tegu, dried shrimp & fish cake patties. But here it's all about the dried aku, misoyaki butterfish & laulau. Not that the other three items aren't good because they are also delish but his true focus is on these signature products. My life would be so sad without these three things. The dried aku is prepared in a dehydrator, which may be the reason it's soft and done to perfection. With air box drying you leave the weather elements, such as humidity and rain to chance your perfectly dried fish. This is the very reason he does not do it, he doesn't leave room for chance, he will always perfect his three signature products. The miso recipe for his butterfish he has also certainly perfected. He's strict about it's marination period, which he wouldn't dare take out before it's 10 day soak. The laulau is so delicious it would be hard to find anything better. This shop owner, chef & friend of the best aku boats in town is raising the bar every single day. The food is always perfectly done. At 82 years young, I have so much admiration for him, I can only hope I can one day accomplish his level of success in the kitchen and joy he brings to others. The legend of Kitoshi Azama is most enduring. The dream of a Japanese immigrant moving to Hawaii became a reality in 1975. Born in Osaka, raised in Okinawa, 42 years ago he decided to live his dream and move to Hawaii. The problem was he didn't know anyone, the language or how to get around. So he thought the quickest way would be to accept a position delivering produce for Finest Foods, a wholesale produce company on Waikamilo. He would be forced to quickly learn the language, get to know the people and understand the lay of the land of the island. By glancing at his shop, located off Waialae Ave, you would question his success. It's a hole in the wall, with no parking, that you'd miss if you blinked. Actually a hole in the wall is stepping it up, it's a definitely a dive! But it proudly carries his name outside. In my opinion, measurement of success depends on how often you can make people happy. He is hugely successful because he makes sooo many of us happy every day with his wonderful creations! Thank you for 35 years of happiness Kitoshi san! read more

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If you are a fan of exceptional dried aku, look no further than Azama's! Just the pretty part of the fish with no blood portions. Consistent texture, taste and appearance! Simply the best! If you like your aku a little dryer and chewier, try the smaller cut aku, sold by the bag. read more

The person who answered the phone was cocky couldn't answer a simple question and hung up! Called 6 times kept ending the call can't leave a voice mail, so screw that place . Gave 1 star just to let others know you about this place read more

I went to the waipahu location today and was referred by a good friend of mine. They didn't have what I originally wanted so I had to buy it separately and found a bonus for my husband. I got a $10 bag of thin sliced dry aku, a small bag of dried taco and the bonus was lomi o'io. The place wasn't the most spectacular but its what I expected for a small fish market. The person who helped, he was very friendly. They had A pretty good spread but don't expect a spread like tamuras lol. I would definitely recommend everybody to check it out. They do have two locations one in Waipahu and one on waialae ave. read more

Azama K Fish Wholesale - Lomi o'io - Seafood Markets Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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MOAS - Mother Of All Secrets. There can be only one. I'm gonna share. The best miso butterfish; Azama K Fish Market, period. Marinated for at least a week, the flavor penetrating all the way to the core of the thick filets. Incredibly complex, almost seductive flavor of sake, miso, sugar, ginger. The fillets themselves, cut from large, fatty black cod. Once cooked, the firm texture from the sake marinade becomes apparent. Huge flakes peel from the filet. If you're lucky enough to have a cut with the belly attached, you're in for a treat. If you've cooked it correctly, crispy on the outside and incredible fatty goodness on the inside like a piece off slab bacon. 1. As of this writing, $17.95 / pound regardless how much you buy. 2. Two pieces per pound. 3. Call ahead if you have a large order. They will not sell the fish unless it has been marinated to their requirements. 4. INCREDIBLE dried aku. By incredible, I mean the best. Old school, crafted with passion and care. The bloodline has been meticulously cut away by hand before the fish is salted and dried. The result is a very clean fish flavor. Perfect residual moisture, perfect salinity, perfect with a cold beer. $29.99 / pound. (yes, I buried this on purpose). 5. Cash only. 6. Street parking only. Good luck. 7. Not like any fish market. Cluttered with overflowing shelves, a scale haphazardly balanced on boxes and the heavy smell of drying fish. No display case, no poke, nothing but: miso butterfish, dried aku and sometimes lau lau, and fried fish cake. read more

As most of the other Yelpers said, this is hands-down THE BEST DRY AKU on the island. Super fresh, top quality aku, perfect amount of salt, a slight, slight hint of smokiness, and best of all, the TEXTURE is PERFECT, having just enough softness, tenderness and chewiness. Azama Dry Aku for da' win! read more

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This is the best dry aku ever so tasty soft inside and crisp outside. The seasoned dry aku is delicious too. Best dry aku !

This hole in the wall fish market gets fish flown in from Japan! The Japan dried aku and butterfish is what this place is known for...I love the dried aku here. I eat it ONLY from this place and nowhere else. Thats how good it is! They have two rental spaces next to each other. One side they cut the fresh flown in fish and butcher it to pieces and gut it and everything. The other side, they have the scale, packaging and display fridge where they put their final product in. I must say this place isnt sparkling clean so be ready for a china town experience when you walk in. Needs to be cleaned up a bit but still a great place to grab japan fish from. Cash transactions only. I will pick up dried aku and miso butterfish from them again in the future. read more

Azama K Fish Wholesale - The best dried aku flown in from Japan! So delish! - Seafood Markets Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A friend recommended I try the lau lau here, so the other day I dropped by to check them out. It is not a restaurant. In addition to lau lau, they sell miso butterfish, dried aku & other items. I picked up 1 bag of 3 lau laus for $8 (I believe they are cash only). The lau lau was still wrapped in ti leaves. There were a ton of lau lau leaves which I prefer. It was filled with a generous amount of flavorful, not too salty pork - which may have been smoked prior to placing in the lau lau. Enjoy! read more

Although I had found this place on Yelp (search: "dried fish" haha), I had just skimmed the reviews. Going back to read through more carefully, I'm now wondering if I went to the "wrong side." Oops! Sorry, Mr. Azama! A word on the man himself: Mr. Azama was very, very sweet. He asked where I am from and when I said Mililani, he seemed concerned that I had driven to Kaimuki and let me know there is a Waipahu outlet. I assured him that I'm in town all the time anyway. He also asked me if I'm a local girl and if I remember eating dry aku as a kid. I have to confess that I lied and said "yes," because it really just seemed like the right answer. He told me that they don't make the dry aku like this in Japan, only in Hawaii. He actually probably said a few other cute and interesting things, but he speaks quietly, and I couldn't totally hear all of his tidbits. The aku measured at a bit over the 2 pounds I had ordered, which was fine, of course, but he would not take extra money from me, only telling me to come back. Now that was one "yes" I could say yes to without lying. Parking is a bit of a bear, but this is worth it. Oh and I have also gone to the Waipahu location several times since my initial visit to the Kaimuki store, and while the offerings are just as great, it does lacks Mr. Azama's charm. Either way, highly recommended. read more

The best DRIED AKU on the island. HANDS DOWN! Everyone knows it....even the fishmongers at other fish stores. I've actually been referred to them by employees at other shops. read more

Wait. Did I hear you right Mr. Azama? You marinate your butterfish for 10 DAYS?! That's what the Master said. And that's how his butterfish tastes (once properly grilled over medium-low heat until the flesh is just cooked through)---each bite infused with just the right amount of salty-sweet taste from what is obviously a careful blend of miso, mirin, sake, and sugar. OISHI! The fish is from Alaska. The miso special from the Shinshu province in Japan. The blending skill is all Mr. Azama's. Kind'a expensive at $18/lb. For the length of time the butterfish marinates, part of its price must be for RENT. Ahh, but well worth it. I also bought a pound of the dried aku. Reportedly from Japan, it comes in strips about a foot long X 1" wide that are a beautiful, deep red in color. They are not completely dehydrated so the inside is soft like chewing gum. I cut the strips into bite-sized pieces, bundle them in tinfoil, and broil in a toaster oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees to get something more like jerky. The taste is jus' right for me. Not too salty. Just a simple, clean, pure, flavor of the sea. I guess the $26/lb. price reflects the cost to import. I hope the U.S. dollar continues to strengthen relative to the JPY so I can enjoy this dried aku more often. I just had to try Mr. Azama's laulau's too so I got a pack of 3 for $11. Fair-sized laulau's with a fair pork:luau leaves ratio for a fair price. Delicious. I'll be buying my laulau's from Mr. Azama from now on. Bring lots of cash 'cuz you'll want to try the many treats that are offered here. read more

A friend recommended this place to me. I bought a couple pieces of miso Butterfish for dinner, it's not what I expected I've cooked other miso Butterfish before but these miso fish I purchased was too salty, did not have the right texture and did not taste fresh. One of my dinner guess got an upset stomach after eating the fish. I would not recommend buying miso Butterfish from here. I just read reviewed that the miso fish is marinated 10 days! That is too long...too salty...and the fish too old @ $19 lb !! read more

Have you ever wondered how a company decides they're going to do something and do it well? I've often wondered this about Azama. This place does very few things, but does them about as well as they can be done. First, yes they are open even though they always appear to be closed. If the door is locked, go to the next door on the left and peek your head in. Let whoever is there know what you want to buy and they will take you over to the store. They often are working in the second room when there are no customers in the store. Second, the place is a dive with equipment and supplies everywhere. Do not let this deter you. You cannot understand the reasoning behind genius. You take it as it is. Third, look at all the signs and don't be afraid to ask for what you want or think you want. Sometimes they have stuff and sometimes they don't and there's only one way to find out. So what do they have and what should you get? What everyone talks about and what they are known for is dried aku. You can get it in long strips of about a foot or you can have them cut it into bite sized pieces for $1 extra. It is the most flavorful and softest dried aku you will find (if you can even find homemade dried aku elsewhere). Have this with a beer and you will thank me. Other items of note if they have them: excellent laulau (only $10 for three!!), lomilomi salmon, Hanalei poi, aku bone, kulolo, and pickled mango. They often have hamachi kama for only $8.50 a pound. You might have to help them open the top load freezer (there are piles of stuff on it). However, buried in there are beautiful yellowtail collars vac packed two at a time for you. The hours they are open are somewhat limited, even though it seems like they are working on making food all day and night. Parking can be tough, especially when Hobietat, North Shore Grinds, Your Kitchen, and the laundromat are all cranking which may require you to park around the corner. If you can make it over here, do it. You won't regret it. read more

A friend recommended me to this place back in June. I stopped by and ordered some dry ahi bits from the woman behind the counter. That night, I ended up having food poisoning, with diarrhea and throwing-up for about a week and a half. Heavily recommend against coming to this place. That is, unless you really trust how the fish is prepared. read more

Best kept Kaimuki secret. Hands down. The best. Dried Aku. Around. Soft yet chewy. Clean yet smoky. You just gotta try. Have them cut it for you unless you wanna hack at it at home. Hands down. The best deal on Lau Lau. Around. 3 for $10. Mouthful of luau leaf and huge chunks of pork. Perfect to stock up the freezer for lazy dinner nights in. You can also get: Pickled Mango, Poi, Lomi Salmon, Hamachi Kama, Kulolo, Aku Bone and other local delights. This is one of those places where it makes you excited to live in Hawaii -- support local and eat local. Parking is on the street. Stroll up the road and treat yourself to shave ice at Your Kitchen. read more

Best dry aku around! I've been coming here regularly for a couple years. Recommended by Azama-san's brother in law Masa. I used to always go to farmer's market and see Ken at Bob's fish market until they turned the whole place into a Marukai. Azama can be a little soup nazi-ish, but he's allowed to because his dry aku, butterfish, hamachi kama and other stuff are the best. He recommends you call ahead to check if he's got dry aku. I used to always get scoldings when I first started going there a couple years ago, but now he knows me. He's got ono wet lihing mango, seasonal pickled mango, sometimes shoyu garlic from japan, hamachi kama, butter fish, hamachi slabs for sashimi, fried fish cake and all kinds of ono stuff! He's hard working and there 7 days a week! I want to let everyone know about how good he is, but I don't want him to be too busy that he sells out and I can't get my dry aku fix! so...save some for me!! read more

Ordered the laulau based on a recommendation and it was delicious! One bag comes with three good size laulaus. Definitely will be going back the next time we do Hawaiian food. read more

02/2019 We looked forward to our trips to Honolulu as we know where our first stop will be. Azama Fish Market of course.! We always let Mr. Azama know that we just arrived and are craving his dried aku, among the other great items he has. Wonderful. A loyal fan from Colorado. read more

Order/call ahead to be completely satisfied!! The best dried aku! Laulau and miso butterfish !! read more

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I love this place. I live right behind in the apartments. Anyways--I usually get the three lau lau for $9. And those things are just life savers for dinner. Pop it in the micowave and eat with rice. Out cold! Anyways--so a couple of days ago they had a paper sign that said 12.95 a lb for ahi. :O yes!!! Sashimi grade! Yes!! Best post-work out meal. Cut up and serve like a poke bowl. I love you Azama! read more

If you want to experience what it feels like dealing with a mom and pop establishment from the old time (or Hilo town), this is it. There's no fancy store front, there's no "customer is always right" attitude, and for goodness sakes you you cannot just show up and expect to get what you want, you get what they give you! Although that's not what happened to me but I know now it was a total fluke! hahaha! Came here to buy my Oregon cousin some dried aku and found Azama K through Yelp and some old timers I work with. According to all, this was the best dried aku EVER. "Azama's dried aku is like gold!" I'm told. And they have the best miso butterfish and the best lau lau...the best everything but it don't come cheap coz it is damn good. So I came here on the lunch break, went to the wrong side door, (phew that side STANK...that's where the fish magic happens I smelled) but the old man gently guided me back to the other side after locking up that side. He was really slow in motion and speech but that's all part of the charm and experience really. Interestingly, besides the smell, both sides looked the same inside. There's no showcase, no display, very few signs telling you what they have. You really need to know what you want and you gotta speak loudly to the old man. When I said I wanted dried aku, he mumbled something (he's very soft spoken...again hes old) went to a fridge and pulled out a foam box with dried aku pieces in it and said, "oh no I can't sell you this it's not nice looking. If you're giving this as a gift you need the nice long pieces." Then he says, "You need to call ahead because the businesses all come in the morning and buy me out. You try come back tomorrow." I told him I was leaving for Oregon tomorrow and couldn't, that's when he started mumbling again and said, "How many pound you want?" I told him and then he goes to another fridge opens it up and pulls out a bag with these beautiful long aku strips and says, "This person is late, I'll sell it to you." And it was exactly the weight I was looking for. I'm super, super thankful and as I'm walking out, he's still reiterating, that I must call ahead and place my order! So moral of the story: At Azama K Fish Wholesale, they're the pusher, you're the addict so call and order ahead! And DO NOT be late as they will sell your stash! read more

Read some reviews on Facebook and decided to give this place a try. Bought dried aku, miso butterfish, lau laus and smoked tako. Out of the four items I bought, dried aku was the best anywhere! Miso butterfish was excellent, a little on the sweet side with hardly any bones. The lau laus were tasty and had the right amount of taro leaves wrapped around the pork. Smoked tako was good but I prefer bigger circumference on the legs. Pretty pricey but it's all about quality. I recommend you try this mom and pop store at least once in your life. I'm sure your tastebuds will be happy read more

Called these fools three times with no answer. I drove down there and I love an hour away to speak with someone regarding dry aku for very important occasion. The female statement we will have more tomorrow morning just call us. We ask who do we ask for she said someone will answer the phone, " lie number one". We called two times with an answer on the third try. They said aku will be available about 10 am. We ask can we make an order the male said no need first come first serve. We went to Azama arriving about 10:15 am saw in the glass refrigerator there was about 8 $10.00 bags of dry aku. So when ask how can I help you we said five bags dry aku which was sitting in a pan already bagged in $10.00 bags. He proceeds to take the pan out and tells us only got two bags? We look at him surprised and say we just count 8 bags in the pan. He tells us it's taken already in a pre order. We been lied to again as we were told no pre orders first come first serve. You know we tonight these people were good honest people but obvious we experience the opposite. This business will never get our business and all of our friends who will be at this special occasions know of this lack of integrity and dishonest buisness called azama. We posted on Facebook and Instagram this unacceptable service by this business. read more

Super cheap, fresh, and quality lau lau, 3 for $10. Many places give you lau lau that is pretty much half fat, half meat. But theirs was very quality, all meat and very tender. Though we are super close to this little market, we have never visited until last week when a few ladies at the spa recommeded it to my grandma. Well worth it! read more

Aways nice to walk into a hole in the wall place and get the best pupus and great service