Fujiya Hawaii

I love mochi and my mainland-​born haole husband has just developed a yen for it too. On our last trip to Honolulu, were we were SO bummed to find out that Shirokiya was closed and in the process of moving to the Ewa wing of Ala Moana Center. I assumed that Nisshoda was the supplier, so went to their store. It was hard to find, and understandably so, they didn’t have much variety left when we arrived around 3 pm. Unfortunately, the counter help wasn’t very helpful when I asked about what they make and ordering to take back to the mainland. Frustrating. Not rude; just totally indifferent. Shirokiya sold some by the piece and weight, and you could buy one at a time to try various flavored, but those weren’t from Nisshodo. After Unilocaling «Mochi in Hawaii,», I found Fujiya! Possibly, Nisshodo supplied the individually wrapped pieces, but the bulk came from Fujiya.
The gentleman there was very nice. Perhaps Japan born, he was just a little hard to understand but never mind, the transaction was super pleasant. Even though it was around 2pm, the selection was awesome, and he gave me a list of their items with prices. I intended to order to take back to the mainland, so he made suggestions about would travel best. Our favorite is those strips of pink and white plain strips of chi chi dango, but the Haupia chi dango is a close second. The Haupia flavor is very subtle, gentle, and soft, unlike regular Haupia. They sell mochi with the usual fillings, but if you want a real and special treat, try the peanut butter, chocolate and peanut butter, and fresh strawberry as well as fresh blueberry fillings. From now on Fujiya is the place to go. They will also individually wrap the pieces of Chi chi dango, in case you want party favors. Theirs is the best; delicate, chewy, and soft.
Just so you know, Fujiya will no longer going to sell through Shirokiya, as they charge vendor fees to carry the product. Never mind… go to the store on Waiakamilo Road. Pleasant experience, and freshest of the fresh! I’m taking 3 pounds back to the mainland. If kept under refrigeration, it will last at least a week. I may try to freeze some; let you know how it works out.
There was another surprise. Ever wonder what Costco does with the scratch and dents, excess product and sale able returns? I think it goes to the junky looking store next to Fujiya. You have to wade through the merchandise, but it looked like most of the stuff was from Costco. Lots of Kirkland products with damaged packaging, crushed corners, or partial cases that weren’t suitable to sell at the store. I think some of it was first quality returns with open/​damaged packaging. They had a washer and dryer, toys, clothing, household items, food products, as well as partial cases of paper products. Some jewelry, videos, games, as well. Some of the «best by» dates were close to expiring, but depending how quickly you planned on using it, it would be fine.
Many items being sold are products I buy and use. I would estimate roughly 15−25% discounts. Nothing appeared to be wrong with any of it, and I would definitely have bought some things, but I can’t take them back to the mainland! Electronics are tested to make sure they work. The owner told me that they get shipments several times a week, so it’s the kind of place you need to check frequently.

Aaaaaamazing. I’m not normally a candy person, but I somehow ate 7 of these today. 7. They are that good. It is lucky I can’t get Fujiya mochi in Chicago, or I’d have diabetes already. The peanut butter banana was my favorite. They average ~$ 1, so you can try some flavored without to much pocketbook damage.

Fujiya is my favorite mochi place on the island! I really like the blueberry and raspberry mochi flavors. They’re all good though, so you can’t go wrong. Their tea cookies are good also, but nowhere near the level of the mochi. The hours are pretty bad, however they just opened a stand in Shirokiya (which I haven’t tried yet), however they should be open during mall hours. A must try for mochi lovers and those that have never tried it and want to get the best.

Want Mochi?
Want Fresh Mochi?
Want YUM Mochi?
How about FUJIYA HAWAII!
Located on the first floor of Shirokiya! FUJIYA sells all types of Mochi and other Japan style goodies, like Cookies, Manju and Senbei (Wafer Tea Cookies), as well as an importer/​distributor of Arare (Rice Crackers) made in Japan.
My favorite Mochi houses are still Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo and Benkyodo in Japantown, San Francisco, but since I’m in Honolulu and when jonesing for Mochi… I head straight to FUJIYA HAWAII!
The one at Shirokiya, Ala Moana is convenient for me, but if you want more of a selection head to the factory called FUJIYA HONPO, INC. on Waiakamilo Rd. in Kalihi (slightly less cost too)! I mean it’s fresh, yummy and best part of it all… CHEAP!
ON MY LAST VISIT I HAD:
–TSUNAMI MOCHI– Filling is white beans and exterior a pretty soft green color.
Cost: .80 cents.
–SAKURA MOCHI– Filling is red beans with a sweet taste and the exterior a pretty pink with leaf wrap.
Cost:. 90 cents.
–PEANUT BUTTER MOCHI– Filling of peanut butter & red beans and the exterior a soft green color with what appears to be peanut dust.
Cost: .90 cents.
Out of the three my favorite was no question the peanut butter one. The Tsunami was delicious too. The Sakura was pretty to look at, but too sweet for my taste buds. I paid a tad under $ 3 for all three and was pretty content for a light snack! Makes wonderful omiyage too! I’ve had the cookies in the past too, it’s very crispy and delicious, but you need to purchase a bagful. Makes great gifts!
UPDATE/​MY LATEST, LATEST VISIT:
–LYCHEE MOCHI (NEW FLAVOR) — REAL LYCHEE FRUIT! OMGEE! So refreshing! New fav!
Cost: $ 1.30.
–CHOCOLATE & PB MOCHI– Similar to the peanut butter one! Both are yummy!
Cost: .90 cents.
–FRESH STRAWBERRY DAIFUKU– Wow! Orgasmic bite of 大福! The most expensive of the bunch, but Mmm Mmm…
Cost: $ 2.80.
«We are proud to provide our customers with not only the traditional Japanese confectionery but also the „Japa-​Hawaiian“ products where the local tastes are well collaborated with that of Japanese. From 2009, we have also started production of Tofu, providing high quality Japanese Tofu.
This production of Tofu enabled us to produce new healthier confectionery such as Okara Senbei and Soymilk Mochi.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to furthermore provide through our products, the Japanese traditions and spirts to customers from all around the world.»
–CEO FUJIYA HAWAII
I would recommend FUJIYA HAWAII for that quick, cheap, yummy snack. Makes a nice addition for omiyage too. So, if at the mall and in Shirokiya, give FUJIYA a try and the best part it’s easy on the the the…
MAN PURSE!
OVERALL RATING: 4.3-STARS!
(Not the largest selection, but always fresh and affordable too! Plus, friendly hours!)
LIVE ALOHA…
Unilocal REVIEW #286

Hands down the best mochi I have ever had! Fresh, delicious, soft, and cheap! They have many choices and it was awesome choosing our own assortment to take home. We LOVED the chocolate peanut butter mochi as well as the fresh fruit (lychee and raspberry). We quickly devoured the ones we got because they were soooo good.
Finding it was a mission, but when we saw it, we were happy. :) It’s a small kiosk located near kulu kulu on the north side of the first floor in shirokiya.
We will definitely frequent this place from now on!

Very tasty fresh mochi, available by the piece so you can make your own combination packs. Inside Shirokiya on their first level.

This convenient kiosk inside Ala Moana Shopping Center is a good place to grab a dozen or two of their delicious mochi and manju.

Fujiya Hawaii, a popular local confectioner of mochi and senbei, has a kiosk inside Shirokiya’s Meika Plaza on the first floor. Here you can purchase all types of mochi by the piece (except for the chichi dango sold by weight), which in itself is pretty awesome since you have the freedom of trying different flavors and are not stuck with buying packs of the same flavors. I would think the hours are the same as Shirokiya’s but if no one is manning the counter I’m not sure if you can buy the mochi.
They also have a grab and go assortment of senbei (Japanese tea cookies), peanut okoshi (from Japan), rice crackers and kimi boro available next to the counter as well.
There is a nice medley of mochi to choose from and the popular ones have fresh fruit in them like lychee, banana, raspberry, blueberries or pineapple. I asked what their best seller is and was told it’s the lychee with white bean paste ($ 1.30) and the peanut butter banana with red bean paste ($ 0.90). I chose raspberry w/​white bean paste ($ 1.30), the peanut butter banana and peanut butter chocolate both with red bean paste (koshian).
I would have preferred to have both the peanut butter ones without the koshian so for me it was just A-​OK. The sour raspberry contrasted with the sweet shiroan so it was not bad either. Will definitely go back to try the other flavors next time. I hear the pineapple and blueberry calling my name.
My over all rating is 3.5 stars = B–