




About
A Taste of Local History in Kaimuki
Stepping into this vintage shop feels like a time capsule of childhood memories. Located in the heart of the Kaimuki neighborhood, the store serves as a cornerstone for locals craving the iconic flavors of Hawaii. The air is thick with the sweet, acidic scent of dried fruit and pickled plums, a fragrance instantly recognizable to anyone raised on the island.
The Art of the Crack Seed
The shop specializes in crack seed—a traditional snack culture imported by Chinese immigrants that transformed preserved fruits with salt, sugar, and spices. You will find glass jars lined up with meticulous precision, filled with everything from li hing mui—dried plum dusted in a salty, sweet, and sour powder—to preserved ginger and lemon peels. It is a sensory experience defined by the bright red color of the preserved snacks and the slight pucker-inducing tang that hits your tongue immediately.
Why It’s a Must-Visit
If you are exploring the streets of Honolulu, this is the place to stock up on snacks for a beach day or a hike. The service is fast and functional, often punctuated by the sound of scoopers hitting plastic bags. Be prepared for a tight fit when the after-school crowd arrives, as the narrow aisles get busy quickly. It is an authentic, no-frills destination for those who want to eat like a true local, away from the typical tourist trails. Whether you are looking for classic seedless li hing mui or something more adventurous like dried squid, this neighborhood shop remains the definitive spot for Hawaii’s most beloved salty-sweet cravings.
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Location
2988 Ualena St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96819-1912
More to Explore
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 16 community reviews1W WGoogle Maps
Recently
Small store on the corner. It's more for online orders here.
Kelly WilliamsGoogle Maps
Recently
The phone number listed goes straight to a voice mailbox that is always too full to leave a message. Emailing customer service twice last week has yet to yield a response. My recent order needs to be modified yet there is no way to contact anyone at the crackseed center. Two thumbs up for seed quality, two thumbs down for customer service.
Michael B KGoogle Maps
Recently
Do Not Order from these guys! Seems like they might be out of business or something but takes your order and takes your payment without sending anything. No responses and cannot call them on the phone. Update: After two weeks the products were finally delivered and all seems fine. Two weeks from Honolulu to Mililani via usps priority mail. Would've been nice if they informed buyers as to the status of the orders, instead of zero communications for 14 days. .
Sarah SaysGoogle Maps
Recently
I wanted to love this stuff... But, it's straight from Taiwan/China! Made me sick with severe stomach cramps! Prefer these types of products without ASPARTAME or PHENYL... anything. Li Hing Mui can be found in Hawaii and MADE IN HAWAII without the chemicals, so why buy from taiwan?! I reported the incident, the store offered to refund if I shipped the "unopened" packages. Well, I opened all to taste each one, about 7 different items, so that was a bust. They really didn't care that the items they sold to me made me very ill. However, they did confirm that all the items were indeed from China (Taiwan). I'd ordered from this company about 10 years ago and never really minded or maybe I didn't notice that the label said "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan". Perhaps I wasn't as aware about the danger of edible goods being imported from that area. I reordered recently figuring, Hawaiians love this stuff, surely, it's got to be better if ordered from a store right in Hawaii... wrong. Sadly, you can buy this same product direct from China and via various sellers on amazon. It's all coming from the same place.... China (Taiwan). IMO you're taking your chances either way. Foods from these countries for public consumption may not be properly regulated, if at all. That's real scary -- $75 down the drain.... There are better brands out there! I definitely care more about my health than to risk ingesting questionable foods. Please be careful. If you get sick or your stomach aches after eating items you purchased that are made in China/Taiwan, you may want to toss it out!
Catherine HealeyGoogle Maps
Recently
Wonderful li hing mui! Thank you!
Kylie MullinsGoogle Maps
Recently
The product is fine, however it takes an abnormally long time to get product. Order placed on a Tuesday, not sent out until Friday afternoon. Shipped it to Memphis instead of Washington state, causing further delays. Considering you pay for shipping and it’s listed as 1-3 days, I’m highly disappointed. Should have gone with the family favorite Crackseed Store in Kaimuki. This will be the last order I place from Crackseed Center.
fl “Hulamahmah” eschGoogle Maps
Recently
I am from Hawaii although I now live out of state. I always order my favorite(s) using their fairly easy to navigate online page. Love when my package arrives and I get my fix when I can’t fly home and without bugging family to go out of their way to shop for my items, pack them and then ship them out by going to the post office. Mahalo Crack Seed Center!
Stacie AllenGoogle Maps
Recently
Always brings me the flavors of home! Wish wasn’t so far…need a store in California Bay Area!
Calvin JohnsonGoogle Maps
Recently
I have placed a order May the 1st. Have not received my order. But the money have been tooking out my account. I called but no one picked up. Now it going to voicemail.
Candace WallGoogle Maps
Recently
Excellent crack seed had it shipped to house it arrived as promised b 4 me, crackalicious.
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