Aloha State Bake Shop
★★★★★ 4.6 (32) • $
"Aloha State Bake Shop was opened as an online bakery of Japanese cheesecakes by Kanako (known to her friends as "Kana") Mampuku who moved to HI from Osaka, Japan. She studied Culinary Arts at the University of HI Kapiolani Community College and had worked as a baker at Kona Coffee Purveyors. Kana opened her online bake shop in Sept 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic, hoping to bring a little joy and happiness by delivering delicious Japanese cheesecake to the people of HI; you could pick up the cheesecakes from Up Roll Café. With support from local residents, her business has grown, and she opened her brick-and-mortar bake shop in the Medical Arts Building in Makiki in Jan. 2022 and also find her cheesecakes at Dean & Deluca, Higoto, Japanese Eatery and Up Roll Café.Not to be confused with the Aloha Bakehouse & Café located in Kakaako that offers homemade baked goods and is completely separate from Aloha State Bake Shop that offers Japanese style cheesecakes, croissant sandwiches, and cookies. This cheesecake is Kana's signature item, was branded as "Island cheesecake" in Feb. 2022. In my trips to Japan, I would visit many bakeries, seeking Japanese cheesecake, which is lighter in texture, less sweet than that of US style cheesecakes and so delicious! Japanese cheesecakes are light and airy with whipped egg whites and cream cheese, a perfect balance of smoothness and fluffiness. So, I was excited to find out that Kana was baking these Japanese cheesecakes using local ingredients, e.g., vanilla from Laie Vanilla Co. and local fruits (mango, lilikoi). Depending on the season, the cheesecake flavors have included: original, lilikoi/vanilla, black sesame (imported from Japan), mango mousse, Hojicha (roasted green tea imported from Kyoto, Japan), pistachio/raspberry. You can purchase them in slices, 1/2 loaf, or full loaf. Half loaves are wrapped in a saran wrap, then with parchment paper and tied with a colored string ribbon. Full loves are wrapped in the same manner, but are placed in a colorful, heavy duty box with a magnetized flap of two designs that are Kana's favorites, artist Sarah Caudle's Hawaiian beaches in blue and a green drawing as a tribute to the vanilla farm in Laie.I have tasted the hojicha, black sesame, and lilikoi/vanilla flavors, and all are excellent! They are so creamy, light, not overly sweet, fluffy, melts in your mouth, and have delicious flavors! Yes, same cheesecakes as those in Japan!Staff is very friendly and patient in answering many questions. It's a very inconspicuous small space, just a counter to order and pay, as most of the space is the kitchen and prep area. Nice clean area with grab-and-go cookies in brightly wrapped cellphane bags that are good for gifts.Other seasonal desserts include: cookies (walnut/choc chip, lilikoi choc, Hibiscus tea, vanilla sea salt); cream puffs (strawberry, matcha/azuki, Hojicha); strawberry shortcake cup; mizu yokan; matcha tiramisu; choc/matcha; seasonal fruit panna cotta; muffin cake; puddings (Hojicha, shortcake); butter mochi; banana bread; chocolates (matcha nama, classic nama); Mont blanc. In May 2023, sandwiches were offered: croissants (salmon cream cheese, tuna melt, turkey pesto, pesto chicken, egg salad); and salads (pesto chicken, smoked salmon, turkey ham, prosciutto.Hours of operation are Mon to Fri 10a to 5p (cheesecakes and desserts from 10a and sandwiches from 11a); pick up only on Sat/Sun 8:30a to 9:30a. They're located literally in a hole-in-the-wall location, in the Kupuna wing of the basement in the former Tommy's Coffee Shop location. Validated parking is provided with a 15-min grace period + one-hour free validated parking. It is easy to get lost, so head toward the So. King St. side of the building.So glad to know that I can find Japanese cheesecake in HNL! We're fortunate that Kana has brought her talented skills of Japanese cheesecake making here so that we can all enjoy without going to Japan. Always happy to support this woman-owned local small business! Thank you, Kana!"
"Pipeline has solidified its status for me as a "must visit" whenever I come to Oahu. Not everything they make is perfect. I found their seasonal gingerbread to be overpowering. But they'd make 3 things that I need when I want to taste vacation. 1) Lilikoi cheesecake bars. They are the epitome of tropical flavor to me. I love them. I can't get enough and yet I never buy enough because others in my traveling party devour them too!2) Strawberry Guava cake. Another tropical flavor. Great cake. 3) Chocolate chocolate cake. Hey! Not everything can be tropical and it resets your palette for more tropical flavors."
"I'm so glad I found this place. Located in Manoa, it's a great little spot for your morning caffeine and breakfast. There's some parking in the lot or some street parking out front. There was a decent line of maybe 10 ppl ahead of me but it moved fairly quickly and all the staff were great. There is a small corner counter with 4 stools but the rest of the seating is outside under their enclosed patio or the tables in the front parking lot. I snagged a counter spot inside after I placed my order. I didn't mind the long line because it gave me an opportunity to consider all the amazing food and drink options. I landed on a hot matcha latte with macadamia nut milk and Manoa honey. A beautiful cup of sweet and nutty goodness to start my day. I also got the strata (a really savory bread pudding with bacon, roasted shallots, garlic and aged cheddar). I should preface by saying I'm usually not a big fan of bread pudding, but if all bread puddings tasted like this, I would get it every time! It was divinely delicious. I also took a lilikoi honey butter biscuit to go. I usually like to add butter or honey to my biscuits so this biscuit was made for me! And who doesn't like passionfruit?"
