Popular Korean-based convenience store CU recently celebrated its grand opening. One of Asia’s largest convenience store chains, CU’s first location in Hawaiʻi commemorates its debut in the United States.
CU Hawaiʻi is located in downtown Honolulu at 1088 Bishop Street. The brand has more than 18,500 stores across South Korea and 730 locations globally.
The Honolulu store is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Here’s what you’ll find:
A gourmet line of grab-and-go dishes
CU Hawaiʻi partnered with local celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon to create a gourmet line of hot entrees. Its Ho‘ina line features popular grab-and-go items, ranging from kalbi and smoked ‘ahi onigiri to Simeon’s famous garlic noodles.
Onigiri, gimbap and more
Speaking of onigiri, you’ll find flavors ranging from Spam mayo and baked salmon to kimchi rice Spam musubi and egg and karaage chicken.
Gimbap options range from tuna mayo and egg to vegetable and beef bulgogi.
Popular Korean street food
CU Hawaiʻi offers popular Korean street foods and some viral snacks. The tornado potato — located in the hot foods section by the cash register — is a hot commodity.
The Yonsei cream buns (in the refrigerated section) are also a customer favorite, as are the Knotted vanilla cream donuts.
Exclusive snacks and customizable drinks
Keep an eye out for CU’s exclusive PBick snacks like the churro cookies with chocolate sauce for dipping, crispy shrimp chips, chili butter corn chips and more.
The Delaffe station is also popular — customers can grab empty cups filled with ice, and proceed to make their own drinks using flavored pouches. Mixing and matching flavors is popular, and the iced coffee with banana-flavored milk came highly recommended.
Ramyun wall and a huge selection of instant ramen
CU Hawaiʻi offers a huge selection of ramen, featured in a colorful “ramyun wall” display. Customers can purchase instant ramen and use the store’s cooking stations to prepare their meals on-site.
Simply scan the bowl’s barcode at the machine, and follow the labeled instructions to add hot water and seasoning packets.
The store also offers tteokbokki (a popular Korean dish consisting of rice cakes in a spicy red sauce) that customers can prepare.
There are a few standing tables — designed to look like large instant ramen cups — within the store, and a designated seating area outside.
CU Hawaiʻi x Sig Zane collab
CU Hawaii partnered with renowned local designer Sig Zane, who created exclusive design elements in the store. The CU Hawaiʻi x Sig Zane collab also features specialty products like stainless steel water bottles, totes and mugs.
Customers can also find lei from Lin’s Lei Shop and coffee from Island Vintage Coffee at the downtown Honolulu location.
Korean beauty products
Of course, no Korean convenience store would be complete without K-beauty products. CU Hawaiʻi features everything from toners to moisturizing face masks.
To learn more, visit nicetocuhawaii.com.
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CONTACT
CU Hawaiʻi
1088 Bishop St., Honolulu
nicetocuhawaii.com
Instagram: @nicetocuhawaii
Open daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
