Tasaka Guri Guri (Maui)

Like a cross between sherbert and ice cream, guri guri is a famous Hawaii dessert served at Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui. 

Tasaka Guri Guri offers two flavors: strawberry and pineapple.

What Is Tasaka Guri Guri?

Tasaka Guri Guri is a local family business that has been in Maui for over a century.

The shop is famous for one thing: guri guri!

Despite their success, the family has never expanded beyond one shop (and I think that is part of the magic 🙂 ). They’ve been at their current Maui Mall location since 1973.

What Is Guri Guri?

Imagine a frozen dessert. One that is like a cross between sherbert and ice cream…but lighter! That is guri guri. 

The Tasaka guri guri recipe is a family secret, but a basic guri guri recipe involves:

• a mix of fruit juices or fruit sodas
• 7Up (or any lemon and/or lime soda)
• condensed milk

Where Did The Name Guri Guri Come From?

The dessert was invented in the early 1900s by a member of the Tasaka family in Japan. It was originally called “goodie goodie,” (aka a treat, or something good to eat). The name “goodie goodie” was hard to pronounce for older Japanese folks, so the name was simplified to “guri guri.”

The Tasaka family later moved to Hawaii…and that’s how we got guri guri.

Where Is Tasaka Guri Guri

Tasaka Guri Guri is located inside Maui Mall. This open-air mall is where you’ll also find the Maui location of Whole Foods (filled with Hawaii-only treats).

There are a lot of good eats within a 5-minute drive of Maui Mall including Tin Roof Maui, Poi By The Pound, and of course…Costco Hawaii (also filled with tons of great Hawaii-only items).

What Makes Tasaka Guri Guri Special

People visit Tasaka Guri Guri for a taste of old time Hawaii and nostalgic reasons (and also to eat guri guri ^_^).

Hawaii used to be filled with many mom and pop shops (the mom and pop shops of Hawaii feel extra special), but we lose more and more each year. Tasaka Guri Guri is one of the few that remain. 

(Note: many of the new frozen/sweet shops that we love champion things like fresh fruit, organic ingredients, locally sourced, etc. When you visit these old time, iconic Hawaii spots, you won’t necessarily be getting all that. That’s not the point of these places.)

Neat tidbit: Japanese Cultural Center honored Tasaka Guri Guri for being, “one of five local businesses that have stood the test of time and become inspiring stories of success.”

What To Get At Tasaka Guri Guri

There is only one this on the menu: guri guri!

There are two flavors: strawberry and pineapple. Strawberry is more popular, but you should get both flavors.

All you have to decide is what size to order. I get the two scoop for $1.30. It’s the perfect amount for a small snack. 

Tasaka Guri Guri: Insider Tips

• Cash only (there’s an ATM around the corner).
• The shop is located in Maui Mall, so tons of open parking.
• They offer pre-packed frozen quarts for you to pack/fly back to the neighbor islands. 
• No seating inside, but there are tons of places to sit outside in the open-air mall.

Tasaka Guri Guri: Info

• Tasaka Guri Guri | Maui Mall, 70 E Kaahumanu Ave. Ste C13, Kahului, Hawaii 96732 | 808-871-4513
• Price: Two scoops for $1.30
• Hours: Monday-Thursday (9am-6pm), Friday (9am-8pm), Saturday (9am-6pm), Sunday (10am-4pm)