Beat Hawaii’s High Prices! Oahu’s Asian Supermarket Scene
When you stay for a long time on Oahu, Hawaii, you’re bound to miss the ‘taste of Asia’. However, with recent high prices and exchange rate fluctuations, dining out daily can quickly inflate your living expenses. That’s where the ‘Asian supermarkets’ scattered across Oahu become a strong ally for locals, long-term visitors, and international students.
From Waikiki to Kaka’ako and Kapahulu, there are numerous supermarkets with unique characteristics, including Japanese, Korean, and Filipino establishments. From convenient stores that feel like Japanese konbini to deeply authentic grocery stores favored by local residents, knowing how to choose and use them for different purposes is key to enriching your life in Hawaii. This time, we introduce 5 carefully selected spots that not only offer ingredient sourcing but also delicious takeout gourmet and enjoyable food courts, all with a high degree of enthusiasm.
Waikiki Market
📍 Address: 2380 Kūhiō Ave. 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815 United States
Located on the 2nd floor of ‘Lilia Waikiki’ along Kuhio Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, this is the area’s only full-service supermarket. Opened on the site of the long-loved ‘Food Pantry’, the store boasts a bright, sophisticated design and is extremely clean. Beyond deli items and daily necessities for tourists, it offers a solid selection of fresh produce, raw meat, and raw fish, making it an essential resource for international students and long-term visitors who want to cook for themselves while staying in Waikiki.
What you absolutely can’t miss here is the ‘Poke Bowl’ available at the in-store deli counter. Choose two of over 10 different flavorings, generously topped on rice (or vegetables) for about $22. The portions are very large, and the fresh tuna, served without reservation, offers outstanding cost performance. While dining at a Waikiki restaurant adds tips and service charges, taking out from here and enjoying it on your hotel lanai or at the beach can significantly reduce your food expenses while still providing a superb Hawaiian dinner.
The staff are friendly, offering samples like ‘Which one would you like?’, and their guest-centric, kind service is one reason why locals love this place. Spam musubi, sushi, salads, and pastries like malasadas are also plentiful, making this a versatile spot that you can rely on all day, from breakfast to evening drinks.
Mitsuwa Marketplace
📍 Address: 2330 Kalākaua Ave #250, Honolulu, HI 96815 United States
Located on the 2nd floor of the International Market Place in the very heart of Waikiki, this is a Japanese food specialty supermarket. For Japanese tourists and international students facing the prolonged weak yen and high prices in Hawaii, it functions as a true ‘oasis in Waikiki’ where authentic Japanese flavors are readily available. From familiar natto, tofu, instant noodles, and Japanese snack foods to Japanese beer available at some of the lowest prices around Waikiki, its lineup caters to every need.
As it does not handle fresh produce (raw meat or raw fish), it’s best utilized not as a main supermarket for serious cooking, but rather as a ‘refuge when you crave Japanese tastes’. For those living locally, the prices might seem a bit high, but the convenience of being able to easily purchase imported Japanese products in the center of Waikiki is irreplaceable.
Furthermore, at the back of the store, there’s a food court-like space offering ramen, warm katsu curry, and gyudon. In expensive Hawaii, a place where you can quickly enjoy warm Japanese food without tips is precious. A rich variety of bento boxes, onigiri, and sushi are also available, and perhaps enjoying ‘Sapporo Ichiban’ on the outdoor terrace while feeling the Waikiki breeze offers a unique sense of accomplishment—a real pleasure of staying on Oahu.
H Mart Kaka’ako
📍 Address: 458 Keawe St Fl 2, Honolulu, HI 96813 United States
This is a branch of ‘H Mart’, the largest Korean supermarket chain in the U.S., located in the Kaka’ako district famous for its wall art. It’s situated right near the ‘Salt at Our Kaka’ako’ complex and the organic supermarket ‘Down to Earth’, with 1 hour of free parking available, making it a very convenient location for weekend shopping.
Stepping into the grocery floor on the 1st floor, you’ll find an overwhelming variety of kimchi, Korean seasonings, and instant ramen lined up, and with K-POP playing, the store feels as if you’ve been transported to Korea. What’s particularly useful for long-term visitors is the ‘meat section’. It offers a wide selection of ‘thinly sliced meat’ for shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, which is hard to find in typical American supermarkets, making it the best source for cooking Japanese food at home. Japanese curry roux and seasonings are also abundant, so while it’s a Korean supermarket, it strongly supports the self-catering life of Japanese residents.
After shopping, be sure to visit the food court on the 2nd floor. Here, you’ll find ‘Giovanni’s’, the famous garlic shrimp shop that draws long lines on the North Shore, allowing you to enjoy exquisite shrimp without having to travel far from Waikiki. The store is quite air-conditioned to maintain the freshness of its produce, so if you plan to shop for a long time, we highly recommend bringing a light jacket or cardigan.
Palama Supermarket
📍 Address: 1670 Makaloa St, Honolulu, HI 96814 United States
This is a deep-rooted, long-established Korean supermarket located on Makaloa Street, within walking distance of Ala Moana Center and Don Quijote Kaheka. Stepping inside, the savory aroma of kimchi and sesame oil wafts through the air, giving you a direct sense of local vibrancy. With a product lineup that completely recreates a Korean kitchen, it’s a popular spot for local residents looking to wisely cut down on food expenses, as mushrooms like enoki and eryngii, and various Asian leafy greens, can be bought cheaply here.
And the biggest charm of Palama Supermarket is its attached snack corner (food court). Classic Korean dishes like tteokbokki, pajeon, and kimbap, along with substantial bento boxes and sushi, are sold at unbelievably reasonable prices. In Honolulu’s increasingly upscale dining scene, this food court, embodying ‘cheap, fast, and delicious’, is a valuable resource not only for local Korean residents but also for Japanese visitors. Mingling with the local hustle and bustle while enjoying hot Korean dishes from plastic containers gives a unique sense of satisfaction, as if you’re in an Asian street food market while in Hawaii. A dedicated parking lot is also readily available.
Kusina Asian Market Kapahulu
📍 Address: 932 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 United States
A highly anticipated new Asian convenience store, this spot just opened on Kapahulu Avenue, directly across from the famous ‘Leonard’s Bakery’. This store actually has a story: it was originally a family-run local market loved for over 25 years in Lahaina, Maui. After overcoming the devastating wildfire, it has restarted on Oahu, and many locals visit daily to show support and shop.
While not a giant supermarket, the ‘density’ and ‘sense’ of its product selection are surprising. You’ll find authentic Southeast Asian seasonings like the sweet and savory Filipino sausage ‘longganisa’, Filipino stir-fried noodles ‘pancit’, and fermented shrimp paste ‘bagoong’ packed closely together. Moreover, not only Filipino ingredients but also products from Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Okinawa, and even American snacks coexist seamlessly in one space, making you feel like you’re on a treasure hunt, pushing your cart and exclaiming, ‘They have this too!?’
Its long operating hours from 7 AM to 11 PM are a godsend for international students with irregular schedules and locals who get a sudden craving late at night. The warm and friendly hospitality from owner Katherine and her staff is also wonderful, transforming ‘just shopping’ into ‘heartwarming interaction’. Be sure to check out this evolving new local hub, with Filipino sweets like ‘Halo-halo’ planned for future sales.
3 Smart Tips for Utilizing Asian Supermarkets in Honolulu
If you’re staying on Oahu long-term, understanding the characteristics of these supermarkets and using them wisely will significantly enhance your quality of life.
The first tip is to ‘switch stores for fresh produce and seasonings’. Combine the strengths of each store like a puzzle, with ‘Waikiki Market’ for fresh fish and high-quality vegetables, ‘H Mart’ for thinly sliced meat for shabu-shabu, ‘Palama Supermarket’ for inexpensive mushrooms, and ‘Kusina’ for unique Asian seasonings – that’s the local way.
The second tip is to ‘make the most of delis and food courts’. Eating out in Hawaii can often cost $30-$50 per meal including tips, but at Asian supermarket food courts or for bento boxes, you can get authentic and warm meals for around $10-$20. It’s great that you can also cover Hawaiian specialties like Waikiki Market’s poke bowls and H Mart’s Giovanni’s.
Finally, ‘cold weather preparedness and eco-bags’. Supermarkets in Hawaii, especially H Mart which handles a lot of fresh food, are kept extremely cold, like a refrigerator, to maintain freshness. Even if you only plan to shop quickly, your body can get chilled to the bone, so a light hoodie or cardigan is essential, even in mid-summer. Also, plastic bags are not free, so always carry a large reusable shopping bag.
