I've come to know Pioneer Pantry for a while now. It's a small little convenience store that can be a lifesaver and a place where life can restore some meaning in the universe. It's a place where you can be yourself. I've come to value Pioneer Pantry for what it is. They've been here for 20 years and I'm just noticing for a month or so now in June 2026. I recently relocated jobs and now work in the downtown Honolulu area. After discovering Pioneer Pantry, I feel like its been a good thing to have when you're running late and didn't have breakfast. Its nice to come here and score some breakfast muffins or those bag of chips, or even cold drinks to have during drab office hours during the day. Pioneer Pantry functions like a 7-Eleven with an actual live kitchen in the back. Pioneer Pantry is a small functioning convenience store that carries most things that many people enjoy on a daily basis. On most mornings, I would enter the store running late to the office and stumble through here. I would pick up a couple of items and a cold drink and be on my way. I wasn't sure if the fountain drink machine was operational or not, so I just grabbed a cold bottle from one of their refrigerators. The prices here can be a bit more than other places, but I was in a rush - most days anyway. The overall experience here at the Pioneer Pantry is good and blessed that they are here. It's nice to have them here for those of us who are rushing to work and have this oasis on the way there for breakfast and other necessities. During the early morning though, they are open along with the Wiki Wiki Drive Inn before 8am. During the lunch hours, they are open along with the other restaurants in the Pioneer Plaza food court fully open for business. The ladies in the back of the store are very friendly and are awesome. Small business owners are amazing for sure. I try to stop by every day here to pick up something for breakfast. Knowing my schedule, I tend to sleep in and rush to work anyway and having Pioneer Pantry here to help is a big boost for me. Majority of my experiences here are happy ones and don't intend on changing. For the most part though, it's always nice to have this place here. While people have their Starbucks or McDonald's in the morning, I rely on Pioneer Pantry for my cold morning beverage of choice, which incidentally includes a cold soda with or without ice. Most people love hot or iced coffee to start their day. I prefer cold soda. Not healthy, but its my thing and it's pretty good. The Pioneer Pantry is located inside Pioneer Plaza building on the 1st floor food court. It's physically located at 900 Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. It's next to the taco place and the Subway restaurant. As far as parking is concerned, best bet would be either street parking or paid parking garages nearby. If you are like me, public transportation is good and there's a bunch of bus routes that traverse thru the downtown corridor. Pick the ones that stop off at either Bishop Street or Fort Street Mall and walk on over. And of course, there's always Uber and Lyft and even Tauro, if you need their services. For now though, if you work or pass thru downtown Honolulu and don't like what the others are offering you, consider Pioneer Pantry at the Pioneer Plaza building. It's a nice trip here to grab something on the way to work every morning. Or a quick snack for lunch too. Its definitely a lifesaver when you're running late and you can support local businesses too. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+ read more

My co-workers and I have been frequenting this tiny convenience store in Pioneer Plaza for years. Joanne, the owner, is the sweetest lady you'll meet. She is so personable and a joy to speak with. She offers inexpensive breakfast bentos featuring white or fried rice, a fried egg and pieces of Portuguese sausage, bacon or frankfurter. The meat varies. It used to sell for $3 but now costs $4.50 (I think). It's still a deal and the containers are great! (We use them to hold leftovers.) During lunch she sets up an array of entrees ... Honey Walnut shrimp, Beef with Vegetables, Meat Jun, Spicy Chicken, Choi Sum, Vegetable Pancake ... the selection varies by day and she offers two or three starches. A two-choice plate ($9.75) comes with a choice of white rice, fried rice or noodles. You have to go early; she can run out of food by 12:30pm. I usually choose one chicken dish and a vegetable with fried rice or noodles. A co-worker always gets the Honey-Walnut shrimp. It's hard to find a better deal in a plate lunch in downtown Honolulu. Her drinks are "the deal", $1.25, $1.50 and $1.75, for large, larger and humongous. Add in the personable service and you have a winner! Hey, stay away, we don't want any more competition for her food. Highly recommended! read more

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What first brought me to Pioneer Pantry was my thirst. It's a tiny convenience store in the Pioneer Plaza, next to Subway. If you know what the cost of living in Hawaii is like, you know that produce, well, practically everything for that matter, is expensive. What caught my eye was the fresh sliced fruit in individual containers. If you buy fresh fruit, you know that prices can be ridiculous. The prices of their freshly sliced fruit are very reasonable and the portions are generous. The plastic containers are packed to the brim. Pioneer Pantry has become my go-to spot for fresh-sliced fruit. They also serve hot lunch items like spicy chicken, tofu, and noodles. There's a good variety of snacks such as chips, candy, and soda. Customer service is excellent and they accept mobile payment like Apple Pay and PayPal. read more

Youre in search of something to eat and come across the Pioneer Plaza -- a food court (hallway) thats filled with eateries of all cultures. You then come across a tiny convenience store. Chips and sodas pack the shelves. What you dont know if just beyond that little rack in the center of the store, there is a GEM. Locally owned and operated, the nice lady that works behind the counter is sooooo sweet. She has a set menu depending on the day of the week. I promise you, you wont be disappointed. Her plate lunches are VERY well priced (under $10 -- currently) and the servings are generous. Today I had the mushroom chicken and honey shrimp (think honey walnut without the walnuts). The mushroom chicken is MAJOR. You can pair 1 or 2 choices with either fried rice or chow mein. They might have regular white rice...but I havent asked yet. Garlic chicken, spicy chicken, mushroom chicken and various other chickens seem to be everyday. Today there was japchae and yesterday there was steak/onions. I was told Wednesdays have Mapo tofu. The menu is limited, daily. So its best to call ahead to see whats cooking (8084283291). Lunch times can get super busy. Parking is nonexistent unless you already live or work in town. Have a good lunch :) read more

Good ladies running a convenience store located in downtown. Good selection of goods and ladies very friendly. read more

First review for Pioneer Pantry and its a 5 star. The owners are very NICE and always greet you with a smile every time you come in. They are located in the lobby area of Pioneer Plaza and have been going there for many years now. I get the medium soda for $1.50 including tax. I get my diet coke fix during lunch. They have a lot of things in the store, but most things you find in a Pantry. Tons of refreshments, lots of chips etc. They have a cold case that has a few hand made things by them. Fresh fruit, sandwiches made by them and they all look very delish. They also have some muffin by the coffee area right when you enter. Also have the usual stuff like Cigarettes and a few selection of calling cards too. If your looking for something to eat like a quick snack or something for your sweet tooth / junk food fix, you will find it here no doubt. Btw this place is CASH only so make sure you have some or bring a co worker with you so they can buy your soda / snacks when you say "oh crap i dont have cash." read more

I have come to this shop a few times for lunch and small snacks. The women who run the shop are very pleasant. I also think it's adorable when they check with each other if they have the right orders in Korean, they don't realize I understand them but I think they display great teamwork and that makes the process of ordering, paying, and receiving that much faster! Additionally, I'm not sure if it was cause she recognized my SO and I from yesterday but the woman who fills the plates gave us some eggplant today as extra so that we could try it. I'm not big in eggplant but the gesture was nice and my SO ate it all. There is cash discount and the prices on the menu reflect that discount so just be prepared that if you want to pay by card it might be just a tad more. However, I think for what they offer this is no big deal. I have not been able to try their breakfast but it is incredibly cheap and I would recommend that anyone running a little late stop by here to pick up a plate instead of running into a seven eleven. So far I have had great service and great food! I am thinking of making this place a regular stop! read more

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