Hawaii's Best Seafood: Tamashiro Market

So you've landed, ate at the chain restaurant in Waikiki, and are craving something so fresh it's practically flopping off of the plate. Or maybe you've just moved to the island and want a taste of Hawaii's legendary fish markets. Sure, you'll get great seafood from restaurants, but at a huge cost and commercialized atmosphere. If you are willing to do some simple cooking or wanting to have a beach BBQ, Tamashiro Market has the freshest cuts of fish, shrimp and crab on the island for the best prices.

For the authentic, truly local experience, look no further than Tamashiro Market, located at 802 N. King Street near Downtown Honolulu and Historic Chinatown, which makes it a perfect morning adventure. First hit the Chinatown district for fresh vegetables, then head to Tamashiro for the perfect fish, lobsters, and scallops. Tamashiro market deals only with local fishermen, which insures the freshest fish on the island. The market's fresh ahi, poke(a local raw fish dish that is a must to try), and crab is the best on the island, and is worth a trip for one in search of an authentic Hawaiian seafood experience. Prices run cheaper than most major supermarkets, and the fish is sold fresh, not previously frozen like most major Island supermarkets.

The store has amazing charm, and it is easy to find, for one only needs to look for the huge, fire-engine-red anthropomorphic crab that serves as its sign. The store itself is kept cool and dim to keep the fish fresh, and the display cases are a feast of the eyes. Huge clams sit on beds of ice with their long tongues oozing out. Prawns, lobsters and huge crabs dog-pile in various orange buckets. Giant bright pink cuts of fish lie in massive, delicious stacks. A must try is the store's poke, pronounced po-keh, which is thinly cut squares of deliciously seasoned ahi, or tuna. It is a local staple food of parties, family get togethers and potlucks, and Tamashiro serves arguably some of the best in the State. Anyone who has an opportunity to visit and craves authentic fresh fish should look no further.