Samurai

This was always a favorite treat. We used to wait in the morning when they opened to get a sherbet, then return later in the day to get another one if it was a hot day. Haupia was my favorite flavor, and you can’t go wrong with strawberry-​vanilla. Now we live in New York, and been having samurai withdrawals. It doesn’t help when my sister in law Instagrams photos of them and the kids eating samurai. Hey!!! Open a shop here in Albany, New York, I guarantee it’ll sell.

The soft serve ice cream is really cute! I got strawberry and melon and it was good and refreshing, but the flavors tasted very artificial. Also, I added mochi but they weren’t that great. It’s a cute spot but I don’t think I’ll be back.

weird location?
Micro parking spots (two I believe
their «ice cream» was interesting
not so creamy and I like it, but interesting
I think the locals like it more than the tourists
They also have other local food items for sale, coconut covered almonds and such
Check it out!
Fun stop!

It was our first time visiting Samurai and I asked the cashier if I could try a few flavors. She blew me away when she returned with a tray full of each of their combinations for the day (talk about customer service)!
I am not sure why I like Samurai but not guri guri… is it the same thing? Somewhere in between frozen yogurt and soft serve-​Samurai flavors are a good mixture of classic (strawberry, vanilla, orange and cream) and exciting (honeydew melon, pumpkin, coffee)…a great alternative to shave ice on a warm afternoon.
Price is reasonable considering how much you get. The price difference between a small and a large isn’t great. However on this visit, my stomach barely had enough room for a small. The cookie is a bonus, but doesn’t actually work as a straw (my friend and I both tried and failed).
The shop offers prepackaged treats as well as local snacks. They even have a combo deal with a hotdog!
This is a true gem, tucked away in a random neighborhood ;)

I’ve always wanted to try this place out, but never knew where it was. I met up with Nadine, Gary, and Cathy, one day for lunch. We decided to do dessert after and came here, since it was up the street. Thanks Gary and Cathy for showing us the way! It’s s small storefront, on a dead end street, in Kalihi. They have 2 parking stalls, so it’s mostly street parking.
The workers were nice and offered us samples. I really wanted the lychee, but they didn’t offer it in the soft serve that day. I settled for the 4 oz. frozen cup, which they did have in lychee. The hubby got the strawberry and vanilla swirl. We also got to sample the orange swirl and honeydew. They were all so good. The swirl was definitely better than the frozen cup. They just didn’t have it in my flavor. I want to go back and try all their different flavor swirls. They actually sell the frozen cups at retail outlets. I’ve seen them at Sam’s Club and at Long’s.
They also sell cookies, popcorn, and chips here.

Soft serve is the best way to eat Samurai frozen dairy dessert. They have cups and pints they sell for retail, but the texture is so much better as soft serve.
Likes: I like the texture of the soft serve. It’s light, refreshing and not too icy or watery. They have a good variety of favors here. The chocolate malt, peanut butter, honeydew and banana are all good. You can get up to 4 flavors too.
Dislikes: I’ve gotten charged more that the $ 4 for the large a couple times, so I’m not sure if I got overcharged or they changed their price but didn’t update their menu prices. I don’t like the strawberry (tastes too fake) and the vanilla (I don’t understand why it’s blue).
Favorites: I normally don’t like lychee flavored things, but their lychee soft serve is really refreshing with the right amount of creaminess.
Great place to grab a dessert to cool off. I recommend calling them ahead of time to check on what flavors they’re serving for soft serve.

It’s good to hang around Unilocalers because they show you a lot of good places that you never knew of. Thanks to Cathy and Gary for showing Angel and me this cute snack shop in a remote, industrial part of Kalihi!
I had been to the Aiea location of Samurai several times, but never this one. I’m not sure I would be able to find it myself. Luckily, Gary gave Cathy and me a ride because the parking is tight. There is a small lot (tandem style) and free street parking (if you can find a space)!
It’s a take out situation… You order from the counter and sit outside on a bench, or just stand up. A very simple operation for this soft serve type ice cream.
The difference between the Aiea shop and this one is the variety of flavors. There is more selection here. This was the first time I had the honeydew flavor — yum — and the orange swirl flavor (like a creamsicle) — wow! I think I will have to return and try the other options!
Note: I saw a recipe for this «guri guri» or «Goodie Goodie» type of ice cream but have not tried it. It’s basically flavored soda (like strawberry) and condensed milk, mixed and frozen together…
Also: You can get the pre-​packaged frozen style in a cup from Costco and Times Supermarket, but it’s hard and solid. I don’t like to scrape and work so hard for my food! LOL! So — go to the Aiea or Kalihi location of Samurai and get it soft and FRESH!!!
There are other snack items available (like popcorn and cookies). I gave in and bought a bag of bacon chips. I ate it secretly at work and at home. All gone now. Sorry. It was a fun treat! ;)

Samurai is so dang good. After my usual trip to Helena’s I decided to stop by here. This place is the bomb. it’s located in an industrial area totally off the tourist path. Parking is limited mostly street parking if you can find it. Once you find parking you walk up to this little shack with a few chairs out front. They are small and is really only good for take out orders .I ordered the vanilla strawberry swirl. next time I will add toppings yummy yummy yummy. they also sale snacks and ice cream to take home. If it wasn’t too hot I would have gotten me a quart to go. they deserve a second visit while I’m here so good!

I ordered the Kona coffee flavor soft serve with mochi topping. It was yummy! They have variety of frozen soft serve as well as certain flavors that they will write on the board for flavors of the day. You can order your soft serve in small or large size and with toppings. They have li hing mui powder, gummy bears and mochi among other toppings. They also sell local snacks such as shrimp chips and some crack seed as well as home made Apricot Prune mui. All credit card orders must be minimum of $ 10. This place is located in Kalihi on Umi street which is street right by Nissan dealer off King street. It’s in an industrial area but not a busy area and street parking is easy to find.

Park at TIMES level.
I went in the middle of the day so the store was pretty empty. I was able to place my vanilla and strawberry swirl.
Yumm-​O!

Soft serve at its finest!!! They offer a great variety and combination of flavors. Whichever flavor (s) you commit to, don’t forget to add toppings (my favorites are the mochi balls and azuki.)
It melts pretty quick so I recommend enjoying the deliciousness on the spot. Seating is limited (only 2 benches), standing room is unlimited!
Do like I did and ask Siri to guide you here. This hidden gem is located on a street that I have no other business driving down.
Parking: there are a handful of stalls adjacent to the establishment or street parking.
Snack items such as hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, etc. are also available.

You’d never know Samurai was there unless someone told you, but if you make your way to this walk-​up snack shop you will be rewarded with fresh Samurai soft serve in sweet, colorful, candy-​bubble gum flavors. Strawberry-​Vanilla, Orange Swirl, Dole Whip, Chocolate-​Haupia; if you like the frozen pre-​packaged Samurai cups, make the trip. They also have pre-​packaged local cookies, shrimp chips, and other snacks, but you need to order the soft serve.

Their texture is really what sets them apart… def not your average McDonald’s soft serve. I can only describe it as a creamier than frozen yogurt, but not quite ice cream. Also a lot lighter, so you don’t feel as bad.
The flavors are aigght, I guess it really depends on what they’re serving that day but we tried the most popular Strawberry and Vanilla, I wasn’t impressed too much wit it. Tasted more like cotton candy if anything. Also had the Coffee and Chocolate, that was muchhh better. Complimented very well by the chocolate swirl wafer that’s included.
Service is friendly, and pretty quick. If it’s your first time, be prepared for a little blurb about their company and how it was founded, what they offer and… well you get the idea. Sample the flavors before you commit, cause their portions are pretty generous.
Their location is a bit off the radar, not in a very convenient spot of town, but people still seem to make their way over.
…and lets be honest, their soft serve is very IG worthy… so if anything, do it for the gram ;).

Super cute — low key — hole in the wall snack eatery in the heart of Kalihi. It’s very cute & mellow. Very kid friendly & perfect for warm Hawaiian weather.
I like the fact they have the shave ice cream, but they have seeds & other snacks to grind. Free parking & lots of benches to sit on while you done!
It’s a little hard to find, but if you know where the Nissan car dealership is in Kalihi, they’re located right behind them on Umi Street.
Bring the whole family for a treat on a hot day… I’ve never s en a line here & they’re open at 10am!

it’s nice to eat their soft serve when it’s hot but to me, the flavors are bland/​okay. i wish the flavors were stronger and tastier. I love how this location puts a choco stick in the soft serve. my favorite flavor is probably the orange swirl. the good thing about this location is that they have a lot of different flavors every day unlike the aiea one.

If I lived near Samurai, I would get very fat very quickly.
I’m gonna keep this one short. We went to Samurai for the soft serve, and I was not disappointed. They rotate flavors daily, have a small for like $ 3 and large for $ 3.70. I got the small, with mochi balls (+65c). My flavors were Melon and Kona Coffee, both were mind-​blowingly delicious. It comes with a wafer stick.
Service was very friendly, quick, and they even let you sample flavors before you order.
Mark my words, I will be back.

In the hot days under the sun, this place will surely get you chilly.
They have parking next to the store about 4 stalls or there is ample street parking right in front. Either way you will want to get treats from this place.
The menu is a bit crowded and can be overwhelming. But just take it line by line and you will eventually get through it all. It does not help that it really just wants to make you order everything at once and have your self a big pile of frozen goodies.
The soft serve is primarily what I go for since ice cream is just about my favorite food group! The soft-​serve will not disappoint. so if you are ever feeling lost. get the soft-​serve!

What a treat! Sometimes you just need something refreshing to cool down… we tried the freshly twirled soft-​serve strawberry & vanilla swill. Yummy!
First time here at a local favorite and will be back again.

I really love this place. I just wish Chocolate/​Haupia swirl was a regular on their menu. They usually have parking, ample seating/​standing area, service is quick, and they accept cards.
It’s great coming here knowing you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store all over again.
Tip: Don’t park across the street where the large semi-​trucks pull into (clearly marked with a red curb). They’ll honk until you move your car out of the way.

«It reminds me of Waiola!» is what I said as I walked up to Samurai’s.

Oh boy has it taken me FOREVER to try this place! I have heard about it for a long time, but well honestly, I’m never in Kalihi! :)
THE GRUB:
[[ STRAWBERRY & VANILLA SWIRL ]] I had to get this one since it’s the most ‘popular’ flavors. I definitely love the colors! Makes a great opportunity for instagram photos! LOL. As for the flavors, it was alright. It had a more sorbet flavor/​style.
[[ CHOCOLATE & HAUPIA ]] This one we decided to go with because it’s something different! I think I liked this one better than the popular flavored one. This one had a more creamy texture to it.
Overall I enjoyed my first experience here. I wouldn’t mind coming again on a hot day :) Another reason why I dig this place is the prices! Great deals for super cheap prices!