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    The Rice Factory

    4.8 (99 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Musubi choices menu display
    Irene M.

    Musubi lover... This is the place to get your fix with The Rice Factory at the Kaka'ako Farmers Market every Saturday mornings and knowing it's from the rice factory I just had to give them a try. Love the friendly vibe here as the staff is nice to answer my questions with so much to choose from it was the Sukiyaki Beef for me with white rice it's all made to order so it will take a few minutes but it all comes beautifully packed and easy to eat as you browse around the farmers market though on this day it was going to my work peeps who always take care of me and this was the perfect breakfast to start our day. Loved the options here as you can also have it with brown rice and and some fresh iced tea and conveniently bags of the their rice as well to take home but love this spot that knows how to have a "rice" day! Thank you!

    Cute 1lb (3 cup) rice. Hokkaido Yumepirika rice
    Donna O.

    A friend wanted to check out The Rice Factory in Kaka'ako, and I always wanted to check it out years ago! Thanks to all who posted photos and the rice being milled here. Parking was confusing since there's only one stall and I think two stalls on the side. There are other parking stalls but it is for the other shared businesses. Some customers made a quick purchase because they know what they want. Being here for our first time, we tried to look around. So many items that can be used with rice and some other products from Japan. I don't cook much rice at home lately but I appreciate the restaurants who serve Japanese rice. You can surely taste the difference. In Waikiki, I used to go to the former Seigetsu restaurant in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza! They had excellent Japanese food served with Japanese fluffy soft rice which was made in gas rice cooker! To some, they can't tell. I decided to buy this cute 3 lb just milled rice bag of the top rice brand called Yumepirika! The freshly milled rice was warmed and placed in such a cute rice bag! It makes cute gifts to give and the three pound was the affordable size. I haven't cooked it yet but I think it's best to cook it soon! The rice cooker makes a difference but the one at the store for $730 Zojirushi Pressure/rice cooker was way more than I want to spend on the rice cooker. If you haven't been here before, it's a nice experience to get freshly milled rice right here in Hawaii. They do ship to the mainland. The Rice Factory is located near Ward Avenue on Kawaihao St. can easily be missed.

    Amy L.

    Rice galore! Here is where you can get freshly milled imported Japanese grown rice. The staff are incredibly welcoming and kind. They explain the varieties they carry and how you can choose what % you want the rice to be milled. When you buy rice, they will also include a sandwich bag of the milled rice bran, which you can use for pickling, thickening soups, add to your rice, etc. The shop also carries lots of various condiments, toppings, sauces, drinks, and souvenirs. We got curious about the amazake that was on special sale and they gave us free samples to try. We left this place with 3 bags of rice - koshihikari, yumepirika, and nanatsuboshi - and 3 bottles of that amazake. Just last night, we cooked the koshihikari rice. It was so delicious! It was soft, sweet, and the sticky rice breaks apart to individual grains in the mouth. If you are interested in trying Japanese rice varieties directly imported from Japan, get some the Rice Factory to try.

    January 2025 specials
    Kim B.

    Updated review since I always forget to take pictures of the shop. Always delicious rice. Personnel is friendly and welcoming. Service is impeccable. The place is always clean, tidy, and they have a bunch of fantastic finds. Love this place! Rice maybe a bit higher in price, but 100% worth the price if you're a rice lover.

    Derek M.

    I recently took a really great class on fish cutting and knife sharpening at the Rice Factory provided by OKONOMI Hawaii. It was very personalized, intimate, educational and enlightening. Together with the high quality rice they provide, I thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

    Our rice haul! 4 five pound bags and two smaller bags
    Mia M.

    My absolute favorite store on island. This rice is so good, I can't have rice from anywhere else anymore! Their service is incredible and all the grains have descriptions so you know the difference. You can pick how much you want the grains to be milled, anywhere between white and brown. They have gift boxes with beautiful packaging and small portions of multiple types of rice. They also carry other specialty goods, such as specialty shoyu, furikake, and other rice related condiments. This is a hidden gem and absolutely worth a visit!

    Robyn C.

    If rice is life... you need to go here. It's a small store front but packs A LOT. Rice is polished and packed to order, staff are super knowledgeable and friendly, great selection on rice/toppings/seasonings.

    A 5lb bag of Hokkaido rice.
    Susan F.

    I've been coming here for my rice and "omiage rice gifts" for years. Their selection of rice is incredible and customer service is exceptional. If you are confused as to a certain rice, they will gladly assist you. I went a few days ago and got my 5lb bag of Hokkaido rice and got a $10 credit ( for all the rice I buy!). They have cute gifts you can give people for birthdays, showers, etc. You can watch your rice milled while you wait. A must try visit for anyone who likes premium rice.

    Kalani S.

    If you are a rice lover and enjoy eating, the Rice Factory has different types of freshly milled rices to chose from. They also have different selection if Soy sauce, nori, furikake etc.

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    7 months ago

    Good product nice people I recommend this if you want high-quality rice from japan,, excellent package and good customer service all around

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    The Rice Factory Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Rice Factory

    Is there a tour we can take?

    No, but you can see how they mill the rice from the small window.

    Do they sell green tea salt?

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    Review Highlights - The Rice Factory

    The workers were super helpful and gave us their recommendation for the best brown rice and shoyu from Japan.

    Mentioned in 35 reviews

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    One 2 Buy

    One 2 Buy

    3.5
    (152 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Ok so I forgot to check in when I went here but I must say... THIS PLACE IS AWESOME FOR SNACKS THAT…read moreYOU WANT WITH FLAVORS! TBH, I'm going back for more! Tastes so yummy and better than the ones we have in the regular stores. SORRY... but it's OUR opinion. Oh and their fruit snacks are pretty good too! ANYWHO, this place is worth TRYING and I'm not saying more cause I want to have them all to myself! HAHAHA! Nah nah but I'd rather YOU go in yourself to see it instead of listening to me on what I liked or thought. They have so much new and yummy flavored chips and I swear... it tastes GOOD! I got the buldak flavor, crab (MY FAVORITE), steak (my husbands choice), chicken, cucumber flavor, ketchup, lobster, chicken and then they have some others I didn't think to try like avocado or nori. I figured they'd be good for a second try. But the best was the apricot snacks! Idk ‍ it's probably because I needed it. But overall, it's NOT DRIED OUT! Not YET at least. Anywho, they've been out for about a year and they look as if they're not that busy. So, I'm hoping this will get MORE people to go here and visit to keep them open and so they CAN bring in MORE Asian snacks that we ALL wait for. Okie dokes! Thanks for reading and enjoy!

    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.

    Photos
    New location at the corner of Ala Moana and coral
    New location at the corner of Ala Moana and coral
    One 2 Buy
    Loads of goods.

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    Loads of goods.
    Hawaii Banchan Company

    Hawaii Banchan Company

    4.5
    (23 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    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!

    Photos
    Hawaii Banchan Company
    Hawaii Banchan Company
    Hawaii Banchan Company

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    J-Shop

    J-Shop

    4.4
    (129 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    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!

    Photos
    Indoors sit down counter area.
    Indoors sit down counter area.
    Freshly made bentos to go!
    Freshly made bentos to go!
    J-Shop

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    Provinces Snacks

    Provinces Snacks

    4.3
    (7 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    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!

    Photos
    Provinces Snacks
    Provinces Snacks
    Provinces Snacks

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    The Rice Factory - gourmet - Updated July 2026

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