Paalaa Kai Mini-Mart

After visiting the bakery next door came here to pick up some food for lunch.
Fried chicken is good, if you’re getting the fried noodles make sure to get couple packs of shoyu, you’ll need it.
Next time I’ll try some of the bentos.

I finally got to try a snow puffie! As I walked in I was disheartened because I didn’t see any snow puffs in the case but that’s because I was unaware of the fact that they had a special case just for the puff off to the right lol. Once I walked over to the case I was brought face to face with the infamous snow puffy and all its glory. A snow puffy is a layered puff pastry dessert filled with a custard and topped with a sweet milk chocolate swirl and drenched in powdered sugar. Oh and just a tip, there’s no sense in trying to eat it and stay clean. It’s practically impossible and you’d just be wasting your time. Anyway, back to the puff, it was very rich and flaky and the custard wasn’t too sweet which I welcomed with open arms because the chocolate on the top was sweet and it’s already drenched with powdered sugar so there’s no need for a sweet custard. I think that’s what I enjoyed most, the balance in the dish. I don’t like desserts that are overly sweet and these aren’t, they’re just right. I do come from a family of cooks, chefs and foodies and they’ve all informed me of the «Pa’ala Kai Bakery and Mini Mart Experience.» What’s that you ask? Well according to my family, there is a correct way to enjoy and get the most out of the Pa’ala Kai experience. It’s absolutely crucial that you follow these 3 steps.
1^st — Walk in to Pa’ala Kai Bakery and get your puffs
2^nd — Go next door to Pa’ala Kai Mini Mart and walk up to the hot window and order some fried chicken and a musubi and of course anything else that appeals to you.
3^rd — Purchase a drink to go with your meal
4^th — Go to a park or beach and enjoy with family.
5^th — Post a review about your experience to help the business out.
6^th — Be sure to follow me on instagram @kkuoha or on here ( Unilocal) and let me know how these steps worked out for you.
I’m from Hilo, HI so this was all new to me but when my family says to do something a certain way, I do it. I mean, I do come from a family of cooks, chefs and foodies lol. The fried chicken from paala kai mini mart was really good. So is the gyoza (meat dumpling) and ika (squid). According to my family, that is the perfect Pa’ala Kai equation [snow puff + fried chicken + musubi + family and friends = the perfect day.]

Can someone please take away the BIG «L» off of my forehead? Why? Because today I was WINNING!!!
What do I mean by that?
Well after coming here like 3 times, and being turned away for whatever reason each time… the 4^th time was the charm!
I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was to finally been able to walk into this place to try their famous fried chicken! Especially since a few of my Unilocal buddies had told me how good it was!
What is this place I’m talkin’ about?
But of course it’s the — Paalaa Kai Mini-​Mart which is located just next door to the famous Paalaa Kai Bakery! (You know… Home of the famous snow puffies!)
As I was working in Haleiwa today, I decided to make a pit stop at one of my favorite bakeries In Waialua to pick up a few snow puffies for my coworkers, but as I pulled into the busy parking lot, I could clearly see that today was my day… as the Mini– Mart was also open.
So upon exiting my car, I took a hop, skip, & jump into the Paalaa Kai Mini-​Mart to do a quick check of this famous fried chicken that everyone has talked about.
Well, scanning the joint out… I would say that this is like a local style 7-​Eleven. But the biggest difference is all the local food they sold under the heat lamp by the cash register. Yes, there was fried chicken! But they also sold noodles and some other bento type deals too.
So upon scanning the heat lamp, I decided on a one piece fried chicken with a musubi ($ 2.50 with tax).
What can I say about the grub?
Well the musubi is just a plain musubi with nori… but it was the perfect bite size item to go with the fried chicken.
As for the fried chicken, it was just okay for me. I love the texture, and taste (a bit salty), but since the fried chicken was sitting under the heat lamp, I can easily say the chicken was a bit dry.
I’m glad I finally got my fried chicken fix here (to get it out of my system)…do I like it better than my steady fried chicken joints like — Popeye’s fried chicken, or Pioneer Chicken?
The correct answer to that is «No», but it’s pretty decent fried chicken considering you’re getting it from a convenience store! Check ‘em out gang!

Pros:
Fried Chicken: The best part of the fried chicken was the skin, it was a simple savory coating yet super crunchy on the outside. Even though the meat was a bit dry, it was still overall good fried chicken.
Prices: for their deli items such as the fried chicken, musubi, noodles, and gyoza, it was very cheap. Perfect for when you need a quick and cheap bite.
Cons
Hotdog Musubi: I wanted something different other than the spam musubi and saw these bright neon red hotdogs attached to a ball of rice wrapped with nori. I noticed these hotdogs appeared in alot of the mini-​marts located all around Oahu. Although it looked appealing, the hotdog was overcooked and considering it was under the heatlamp for a while, the hotdog lost all its natural juices.

Chicken, calamari, & chocolate drink!!! I will drive all the way from Kailua just for those things!
I was turned on to this place when my hubby had brought home their AMAZING fried chicken. I demanded to know where this came from. He said, «Paalaa Kai.» What? Where? He told me & then, almost as an afterthought, tells me, «There is also this really cool icy chocolate drink you would like.» That was it. I drove there the NEXT DAY.
Parking was OK. I was abe to get a spot right in front because someone was leaving. I went in as the sight of all that chicken made my eyes bulge! Then I saw the calamari, the gyoza, the spam & hot dog musubis, the noodles, OMG! I couldn’t process. I think I got one of everything. Then, I saw it. The chocolate ice drink machine. I walked over and, trusting my husband, grab the largest cup they had & filled it up. Paid for my 2 bags of food and drink & walked out. I sat in my park & tried to figure out what to try first, the drink, the calamari, the gyoza… UGH! I can’t remember what I did, but here is what I do know — they are all good. So good that I drive many miles to get my fix twice a month! The chicken is so crispy, but juicy. The calamari is seasoned just right. The musubis are so, so good. That chocolate drink is the GREATEST EVER!!!
If you don’t believe me, go try it out. All these 5 star ratings must mean that this place is special, right?

Homemade Fried Chicken FTW! This floured, deep fried chicken is so ono! Crispy skin and moist meat. Trust me, don’t only get one because you’ll be craving for more! They also have really good spam musubis! Great to come here when you’re circling the island and you’re just tired of that garlic shrimp plate (yeah right who am I kidding).
FOOD
Fried Chicken, Check. Now, they also have bentos, poke, and korean local food. So go ahead, give it a try and let me know how it is. I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
ENVIRONMENT
This mini mart is located near the Haleiwa area, on the way to the North Shore. Do not use Google Maps or any sort because it will just take you to a residential area. Remember no place to sit and eat, unless you just want to hang outside like hood rat. So just grab some chicken and eat it watching the waves or as pupus roundin’ the island. Private lot. Limited parking stalls, but cars move out fairly fast. Located next to Paalaa Kai Bakery.
CONCLUSION
Yes, the best fried chicken for the taste & price out there! Don’t forget to go next door and pick up some snow puffies!