In the Press

During Merrie Monarch Festival week, crowds flock to Hilo and production at Two Ladies Kitchen triples — sometimes reaching five times the normal daily output. A testament to nearly three decades of handmade excellence and a community that keeps coming back.

"You didn't pre-order?" A deep dive into what makes Two Ladies Kitchen a must-stop destination on the Big Island — and why the line out front is always worth every minute of the wait.

Nine seasonal fruit mochi, one editorial ranking. Honolulu Magazine sends a writer to Hilo to work through the summer lineup — from the legendary strawberry to the rare grape variety said to be unique to this shop.

One of the earliest national-scope profiles of the shop, capturing Aunty Nora's philosophy, the intimacy of the small-batch process, and the magic that draws visitors from across the Islands to 274 Kīlauea Ave.

Two Ladies Kitchen earns a place in Food Network's Hawaiʻi restaurant guide, spotlighting the famous strawberry mochi — a whole fresh berry wrapped in hand-mashed azuki paste and pillow-soft glutinous rice-cake dough.

A comprehensive guide to what to order, when to go, how to pre-order, and why the strawberry mochi must be eaten the same day it's made. One of the most thorough visitor write-ups on the shop.

A traveler's guide to planning your Big Island visit around a stop at 274 Kīlauea Ave — including what to order for first-timers and how to navigate the pre-order system.

One of the earliest written food-press features on the shop, by writer Joshua Lurie. Documents the shop's rise from a small commercial kitchen to a growing Big Island institution — covering flavors, prices, and what sets it apart.

The viral short documentary from Great Big Story that introduced Two Ladies Kitchen to a global audience of food lovers — telling the handcrafted, heart-first story of Hilo's most beloved mochi shop.

Host Kanoe Gibson takes viewers inside the kitchen for a behind-the-scenes look at how hundreds of mochi are born each day — from rolling the dough to shaping each piece by hand.