What I immediately noticed in Waikiki, O’ahu, is how many Japanese are here. Both local and visitors. From the mid-1800s waves of immigrants arrived on the shores of Hawai’i to work on the plantations and ranches. The first generation of Japanese immigrants, the Issei, came between 1885 and 1924. Our landlady in Kaua’i and many of our neighbours were all descendants of these travellers, many of them coming from fishing villages. So it is unsurprising for Hawai’i to have a diverse population.
Hawai’i is also a popular vacation destination for the Japanese. According to the Japan Fact Sheet from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the largest segment of international visitors is from Japan and has been for decades. Only about 20% of Japanese tourists are first-timers, meaning most love to come back to Hawai’i. Looking around areas such as Waikiki, it’s easy to see that Japanese tourists are an important source of revenue. Many businesses cater to the Japanese, with many websites, signage, and services in Japanese. I’ve met Japanese massage therapists and shop staff who have been in Hawai’i for many years.
So I was delighted, when coming to O’ahu, to find delicious Japanese cuisine and Japanese snacks and treats. We LOVE Japanese food.
Mitsuwa
We discovered Mitsuwa on our first trip to O’ahu. Located at the very busy International Marketplace, this Japanese store offers a range of snacks, vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, stationery, drinks, and liquor.
We found delicious desserts like chocolate truffles and a huge variety of snacks and treats. Such interesting flavour profiles and combinations. I even found chestnut cakes, which is pretty rare outside of Asia.
Often I drop by Mitsuwa to grab an onigiri (おにぎ) . This is a rice ball in a triangular shape. You can make these easily at home, plain or with salmon or plum inside.
Want to make your own? Here are some suggestions from Canadian food blogger, Caroline Phelps, who’s part Japanese herself. You can find onigiri and musubi easily In Hawai’i, even in 7-Eleven. Nana Musubi makes organic musubi. You can find them at Stix Asia, a food hall in the basement of Waikiki Shopping Plaza at the corner of Kalākaua Avenue and Seaside. It’s where H&M is and is next to Ross Dress for Less.
In Japan you can find all kinds of good food, including these rice balls, at train stations, department store basements, and street stalls. Here in Hawai’i, the 7-Eleven also offers a range of Japanese food such as soba and sushi rolls. Not quite the same as the 7-Elevens in Japan, still it’s got some good Japanese snacks.
So the first time we went into Mitsuwa, I was pretty excited to find familiar snacks and drinks. It was a brand new experience for Wade and we both chose a selection to try. We also made a care-package for Wade’s son. Aside from chips and candies, we put in a couple types of interesting-looking instant noodles.
Mitsuwa
International Markeplace
2330 Kalakaua Ave. #250
Honolulu, Hawai’i
www.Mitsuwa.com
(808)489-9020