Azama K Fish Wholesale

I've only had the dry fish here but it's hands down thee best ever! Not your typical hard like rock or all blood meat fish. It's soft and luscious and oh so tasty! I recommend calling ahead. They will let you know if there's enough available. I also recommend asking them to cut it for you if you want it ready to eat otherwise they'll just weigh it and give it to you in whole sticks.There's not much parking as it's next to a laundromat but it's a easy in and out transaction. It's a definite hole in the wall so easy to miss it. Very mom and pop vibes and old school yumminess!

CASH ONLY A friend from Maui asked me to buy her some Dry Aku. I had never heard of this store. It was tucked away in Palolo not far from Waialae Ave. There are only a few street parking stalls if they are available. I walked in and it smelt like steamed Laulaus which they sell as well. I looked in the glass case where they're a few items. I asked about the Dry Aku. I ordered 1 lb and she weighed and bagged it for me. The quality was very clean with NO skin or blood. Next time I'll buy some for myself.

It was a sunny Saturday so remembering what my mechanic told me: "Machines going break down whether you run em or not. Mo betta the thing broke riding em than sitting around yah?"With that, I decided to take my dormant moped out for a spin.But where to go?Then, I remembered my coworker bringing back a bag of dried aku.The aku was soft and moist, which brought back memories of some dried aku I got from an aku boat captain back in the hay days. The captain and crew would clean and filet a few of the fresh-caught aku and place them in a dry box on the bow of the ship. As they continue to pursue the school, sea sprays coming over the bow would season the strips of aku. At the end of the day, when they come back in to port, it would be ready.Not too dry and it won't break your jaw.The bag of dried aku my coworker had was seasoned with black pepper with just the right amount of moisture retained in the meat. "I got em from Azama Market in Kaimuki."The name sounds familiar.....I looked up Azama Market and I was surprised. It's right before Hobitat, a store I go to when I want to make trolling lures!I passed the store all this time and never knew if it were open or closed.There's a shutter that I've never seen open and the door next to it looked like it was blocked.I decided I'd go check it out on my moped.I headed up Harding Ave because I didn't want to go up Waialae, as I might hold up traffic. My bike used to do 40mph but that was 20 pounds ago....I took a left on 10th ave and headed straight up. A couple of blocks past Waialae and I was there.I then realized that there was another door near the corner of the building which was the one that was in use. From the outside, it doesn't look like it's open, but when I entered, I was greeted by a gentle elderly lady.The refrigerated display had some product in there. Miso butterfish...poke...and dry aku.$34 / lb.HOLY SMOKES!I know it's been eons since I've gone shopping for dry aku but I remember it as being somewhere in the $7.99 / lb price range! (Yeah. That long!)There was a couple of bags of the seasoned dried aku my coworker shared with me and it was $10 each.I reached for my wallet and just then, I noticed a sign that read: CASH ONLY.Oh geez!!I haven't carried much cash since the pandemic started!!I opened my wallet and was relieved to find two fives and a few ones.I paid for the small bag and was talking to the lady about the aku I used to get from the aku boat captain. She mentioned that she knew a few too and we both talked for a few minutes.I spent a few pleasant moments and went on my way.I zipped back home, doing 42 mph (down hill!) and when I got home, my neighbor was outside so I shared my loot with him."Ho! This is ono!! Just like from the boats in Kewalo Basin!"He was munching on the dried aku bits like popcorn and asked where I got it and how much."Azama Market on 10th ave. $10 for that bag."I never knew us Asians could open our eyes that big!"10 bucks! Holy *%#@!!!"He promptly closed the bag and handed it back to me."Take em away before I kaukau the whole thing!"I know aku is scarce these days.I've been on my friend's boat and we went trolling along the Waianae shoreline. There used to be piles of fish boiling the waters with birds galore 20 years ago.It looks like a desert now. Even if we're lucky enough to come across a school, they're tiny by aku standards. We used to hook 25 pounders but now, we're lucky to catch anything over 10.That's the reason for the sky-high price.Aku has become a commodity here.If you think $30 / lb is expensive, I believe it'll get higher in the future. Get it while you can!If you're going to get it, go get it at Azama on 10th ave.They make em good!!

Nice owners, very friendly and personable. First time trying. Street parking. Daily hours 8am-5pm. Counter service. No tables or chairs. Popular items:Laulau $12/bag of 3 (good size)Dried aku $31/per pound or $10/bag (cut up)Lomi salmon $4.99/pound Miso butter fish $20/pound Everything very fresh.This location is on 10th Avenue, next to laundromat. Close to Northshore Grinds.

I come here for the lau laus and miso butterfish....just be aware that the lau laus are getting scare because of a shortage in luau leaves. Mr. and Mrs. Azama are 2 of the hardest working people you'll ever meet! They are in early and work late into the evening...Nice fully stuffed lau laus are my favorite and they are 3/$12. I usually buy a bag, take them home, individually bag and freeze until I need a lau lau. Just one is great for dinner!..Be aware that parking can sometimes be a challenge so if you can bring a "shotgun" rider that can run in and get your treats, be prepared to hunt for parking....believe me, it's worth it!

You know how sometimes it's hard to decide what to order?So you end up getting everything.After many visits you'll realize that you could pretty much order anything here and it will be good. Trust that builds when you realize your dealing with someone who has truly mastered food.The happy moment of stepping into his very unassuming domain brings joy in your walk...you begin to skip in to his shop.Occasionally you'll find other goodies like tegu, dried shrimp & fish cake patties. But here it's all about the dried aku, misoyaki butterfish & laulau. Not that the other three items aren't good because they are also delish but his true focus is on these signature products. My life would be so sad without these three things. The dried aku is prepared in a dehydrator, which may be the reason it's soft and done to perfection. With air box drying you leave the weather elements, such as humidity and rain to chance your perfectly dried fish. This is the very reason he does not do it, he doesn't leave room for chance, he will always perfect his three signature products. The miso recipe for his butterfish he has also certainly perfected. He's strict about it's marination period, which he wouldn't dare take out before it's 10 day soak. The laulau is so delicious it would be hard to find anything better. This shop owner, chef & friend of the best aku boats in town is raising the bar every single day. The food is always perfectly done. At 82 years young, I have so much admiration for him, I can only hope I can one day accomplish his level of success in the kitchen and joy he brings to others.The legend of Kitoshi Azama is most enduring. The dream of a Japanese immigrant moving to Hawaii became a reality in 1975.Born in Osaka, raised in Okinawa, 42 years ago he decided to live his dream and move to Hawaii. The problem was he didn't know anyone, the language or how to get around. So he thought the quickest way would be to accept a position delivering produce for Finest Foods, a wholesale produce company on Waikamilo. He would be forced to quickly learn the language, get to know the people and understand the lay of the land of the island. By glancing at his shop, located off Waialae Ave, you would question his success. It's a hole in the wall, with no parking, that you'd miss if you blinked. Actually a hole in the wall is stepping it up, it's a definitely a dive! But it proudly carries his name outside. In my opinion, measurement of success depends on how often you can make people happy. He is hugely successful because he makes sooo many of us happy every day with his wonderful creations! Thank you for 35 years of happiness Kitoshi san!

I Had To Let The Secret Out! Sorry Mr. Azama! Only For My Fellow Yelpers!I know that there is one review with Azama K Fish Wholesale but this is the true spelling of this true Mom & Pops secret place!I know by sharing this,it's going to run out my supply of "So Ono The Best In The State Miso Butterfish Supply" but I had to share it with my fellow Yelpers to enjoy!WHY:Hands down! If you Enjoy grilling miso butterfish(I know that your mouth is watering now)this is the Best Place to pick it up! Not only does the Azama's have the best miso butter fish,they also have great Lau Lau's to take home,The cleanest dried Aku that you will eat.Tempura Fish cake on the weekends(So Ono!)If you are going to pick up miso butter fish, it would be a good idea to call ahead to make sure that there is an ample supply on hand and preorder the fish.The price at this review time is $17.95lb ( Not bad..if you ever ate Miso Butterfish at a really good Japanese restaurant,how much did you pay for that small little piece of fish???...Lol!!) I Guarantee You that everyone that eats it will turn and tell you.. "HOLY SH_T THIS IS BEST BUTTERFISH THAT I EVER ATE" ..Just Smile :) and tell them I Know!!! ...SHHHH! YELP Secret!!!

This is the best dry aku ever so tasty soft inside and crisp outside. The seasoned dry aku is delicious too. Best dry aku !

The person who answered the phone was cocky couldn't answer a simple question and hung up! Called 6 times kept ending the call can't leave a voice mail, so screw that place .Gave 1 star just to let others know you about this place

If you are a fan of exceptional dried aku, look no further than Azama's! Just the pretty part of the fish with no blood portions. Consistent texture, taste and appearance! Simply the best!If you like your aku a little dryer and chewier, try the smaller cut aku, sold by the bag.