Long Overdue: My First Time at Azuma's (And Why I'm Already Planning My Return)…read moreOkay, 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.

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

We saw the sign for halo halo and just kind of lost it. Had to get some, and glad we did. It goes…read morewithout saying that halo halo is a super-popular Filipino treat, but it's also a nice departure from the standard shave ice that is ubiquitous in the Islands (not that I mind having more shave ice). The Magnolia ube ice cream made this halo halo perfect.

If there's anything that I need for a Filipino dish, I'm pretty sure Festival has it. Looking for…read moreTupig? They got it. Need Ilocos Empanada? Get there early because when I visited, they sold out. They've got some real fresh seafood, beautiful and plentiful. The food court area has anything you'd imagine for a quick lunch and their desserts from every vendor was delicious. I was able to get all the veggies, protein, and sauces in one place and each vendor was so friendly and helpful. Parking is kind of tough 'cause the days that get busy, I've found myself parked down the street. Otherwise, the whole area is clean, open spaced, and easy to find anything you'd need.

Limited parking. Great selection of fresh vegetables. Freshly made food. Clean restrooms. No…read moreshopping carts.

I love this store!…read more Me and my family come here for our crack seed, candy restock for our home. And we cannot leave without an icee. Vanilla floats or strawberry lihing depending on our mood. The staff are always super friendly when we come, store is always neat and clean. They have sale bins and other local snacks. Parking is good right in front and it's never really full. You pretty much get in and grab all the goodies and get out. Love it here!

I know Wholesale for their packaged snacks, so it was a pleasant surprise to see they also had an…read moreicee machine! I ordered a blue icee with li hing, and it hit the spot! I love li hing and icees, and the salty sweetness was the perfect combo. Definitely check out wholesale for your local snack cravings!

The place to get snacks, it's almost like a crack seed store for the variety they have. The owner…read moreis also friendly!

First time at this location. The other location closed about five years ago . Inside is a little…read moresmaller.but the selections of seeds and peanuts are the same. Picked up a bag of Boiled and dried peanuts. The flavor hasn't changed. I thought that it was drier than I remembered from the old location .Friendly service. SuppoLocal. Enjoy

They got your cravings…read more.. After satisfying my smoothing cravings at Hang's French Cafe & Smoothies which is right next door you know I had to give them a visit and as I walked in I just didn't expect to see so many options to neatly displayed at this cool shop. One wall is filled the snacks the local love and the easy grab and go does take care of cravings instantly along with some Pop Mart items though isn't quite the snack we sure have been eathing up the rave that's been keeping us guessing ourselves. Many of their items are crafted like specialty popcorn, Hawaiian Frost Soft Serve, Shaved Ice, and even açaí bowls. Keeping the coolness after my smoothie I decided on some dipping' dots as I stared into the display case with the various flavor offerings it was the "Cool Mint Crunch" oh yeah the minty coolness really hit the spot and bits of Oreo was so yummy as it kept me still for a moment as I enjoyed my treat before I continued on my errands taking this me time was just right. Thank you!

The workers are really chill and recommended the soft serve on both times I visited. I tried three…read moredifferent soft serve swirls, but the ube and haupia one would be my favorite one to try if you have a chance to visit, though they do change their flavors every once in a while - Miguel Morales Photography

I've ordered from Chylers multiple times because I genuinely enjoy their beef chips and want to…read moresupport a local Hawaiian business. Unfortunately, my most recent experience has been very disappointing. I placed an order for 12 bags on July 18, and as of July 30, it has been 12 days with no delivery or meaningful update. During that time, I emailed the company four separate times asking for a status update and never received a single response. The Shop app still only says "Waiting for details." It's especially frustrating because I'm a repeat customer who has happily supported this business over the years. Their beef chips are excellent, but great products alone aren't enough. Reliable communication and customer service matter just as much. If you're considering ordering, just be aware that while the product is delicious, the shipping and customer service may not meet the same standard.

Healthy chips... I…read morehad a friend that loved their products discovering them at the many local holiday fairs and food shows we've been to and know that if they're there so is she. I've had my share of various thin sliced beef jerky but no one does it like Chyler's and finding them at the Hawai'i Shop Local Pop Up in Ala Moana Center where the vibe is so lively. It literally is beef chips as it's super thin and very crispy though not lacking flavor at all as this magical snack just hits the spot knowing I'm having something not just healthy but so yummy as well. Not sure...they will happily give you samples which this visit was no different and it was either regular or black pepper and this spicy lover went for it and no samples was needed as I got a bag knowing that as soon as it's open nothing will be left behind for anyone. The staff there is always so nice and friendly with any questions I may have and finding them on this holiday event was the best as it will make someone that I know happy this holiday for this yummy treat. Thank you!

This is no longer the same owner and you can tell right away - the manapuas are not mini and the…read moreflavors are artificial and extremely dry. The fried manapuas are beyond inedible - the oil must be very old and they are just way over fried and oily.

Want to start off by saying their store hours have changed, they're open 6am to 6pm daily. As a…read morefirst-timer here I arrived at 5:38 am because their website and Yelp said open at 5:30 am... oops! No problem, didn't mind the wait since I had time to spare before work. I picked up a dozen mini manapuas for the office. It was a hit with my townie coworkers (apparently anyplace past the aloha stadium is considered "west side" lol). It was about a 10 minute wait for the deep-fried manapuas but worth it. Will definitely be back to try the other manapua flavors.

It was just okay. The 1 person working there needs to get a personality. No greeting whatsoever…read morewhen checking out, even after I said "Hi" or thank you at the end. When I asked for a receipt he just looked at me for few seconds before saying "there's no paper". I kind of stood there for a while so he reached down, pulled out a roll & installed it. As soon as it printed he just handed it to me, sat down & looked away.

This place shut down. I went there yesterday and the staff of keiki kingdom confirmed they close…read moresince February. They should establish that. Even the one in pearl Kai.

I went to North Star today 5/19 at around 2:40 pm because I wanted some fresh Chicharron and I…read moreheard that they sell that. This place is next to PT Hawaii and there was plenty of parking. I went in and stood in line. There were a few people ahead of me so it wasn't too busy. There were 2 women working- one was doing the food and the other was the cashier. As I was standing in line I noticed there were flies in the hot food- however, the chicharron was in its own case that was enclosed and I made sure no flies were in there. When it was my turn the woman who was doing the food didn't even want to acknowledge me. I had to tell the cashier that I wanted one lb of chicharron, then she literally told the food lady right next to her what I wanted. I paid almost $20.00 for one lb of chicharron but the worst part is that food woman didn't even cut it up for me! I literally came home with a slab that I have to cut up myself, all good though. I had to inspect the pork throughly anyways to make sure there were no fly eggs. I absolutely don't recommend this place. Bad service and flies in the hot food area.

Best chicharrons! My absolute fave! Ladies are so friendly too! Lots of various vegetables and…read moreauthentic Filipino foods.