Hawaii has a diverse ethnic history that presents foodies with an eclectic array of local delicacies. Aside from taro, tropical fruits, coconuts, yams, and other plants originally brought over by Polynesian voyagers, Hawaiian cuisine has been shaped by immigrants, European and American missionaries and more. We hear you salivating, so here’s our list of 10 local foods to try in Hawaii. Don’t forget to leave your travel bags in the care of a Honolulu luggage storage facility so you can free your hands for eating ‘til your heart’s content.
Laulau
In its most traditional form, laulau is a simple concoction of pork and salted butterfish wrapped in taro (or luau) leaves and cooked in an underground hot rock oven for hours. These days, meat varies between pork, beef, or chicken and is steamed on the stove.
One notable place you can try laulau is called People’s Cafe in downtown Honolulu, which serves up traditional Hawaiian and Filipino food. Their helpings of pork are generous, wrapped in a good amount of taro leaves. It comes out tender and smoky without too much oil.
Poi
Poi is Hawaii’s traditional staple food made from taro root, which is similar to a yam or potato but with more starch. The taro is baked or steamed and then mashed to create a thick paste. Water is then added to the mix to create a sticky, pudding-like consistency.
Poi can be eaten immediately while sweeter or left to lightly ferment for a sour flavour reminiscent of plain yoghurt. The fermented version is often served with salted fish or Lomi salmon as a savoury meal or used as an ingredient in breads and other sour dishes.
Squid Luau
Squid luau is another example of modern Hawaiian fusion food, often served at celebratory luaus (feasts) alongside a host of other delicacies. The dish is made with pureed baby taro leaves, coconut milk, and slices of squid.
When prepared, it appears green and smooth (similar to Indian palak paneer), and is enjoyed for its delicate balance of sweet, salty, and creamy flavours. Modern variations of this dish can include chicken or other seafood in place of squid, or spinach substituted for taro leaves. Those keen to try can do so at People’s Cafe in downtown Honolulu.
Chicken Long Rice
Originally Chinese-inspired, chicken long rice has earned its place at the table alongside more traditional Hawaiian foods. It’s Hawaii’s version of chicken noodle soup with less soup and more noodles, though still synonymous with comfort and feeling better when under the weather.
Chicken long rice is a concoction of clear mung bean or vermicelli noodles and green onions. It is simmered in chicken and ginger broth. With its clean, zingy taste, it balances out the heavy and fatty flavours present in many native Hawaiian delicacies. Try it for yourself at Helena’s Hawaiian Food in North King St, Honolulu.
Kalua Pig
Kalua pig is the hero dish of any Hawaiian feast and is labour-intensive to create in the traditional way. The pig is killed, dissected, seasoned, and then cooked in an underground oven (known as an imu) over many hours. The oven itself is painstaking to assemble, a Jenga-stack of wood and river rocks that takes hours to heat.
The pork is slow-roasted and becomes incredibly tender; similar to American pulled pork but with a pungent, wood-smoke flavour as opposed to tangy. It’s served alongside an army of local Hawaiian delicacies and a big pile of white rice. Many enjoy it in the presence of friends, drinking, dancing and laughter.
Spam Musubi
Hawaii is known for its reverence of Spam: tinned hunks of mystery lunch meat that became popular during WWII. Spam musubi is Hawaii’s take on a Japanese handroll; take a sheet of crispy seaweed, fill it with a scoop of rice, top it with a teriyaki-marinated slice of Spam, and wrap it all up.
The resulting flavour is one that’s almost criminally salty, lightly sweet from the marinade, and fragrant from the rice. Because of its compact size (and the fact it’s often wrapped in plastic), Spam musubi is enjoyed on the go or while lazing at the beach. Try it (if you dare) at Musubi Cafe Iyasume in Honolulu, or from any 7/11.
Loco Moco
For ultimate greasy comfort food, you can’t go past a loco moco. Its basic components are a bed of short-grain white rice, grilled hamburger patties, over-easy eggs, a heart-attack-inducing helping of meaty brown gravy, and the cheap styrofoam container it’s served in.
Loco moco is popular throughout Hawaii, and its reputation has reached international status. Consume in a state of intense hangover, with a fork, spoon, or set of chopsticks from a joint like Papa Ole’s Kitchen in Hauula.
Shave Ice
Shave ice is a weird and wonderful treat that will cool you down in Hawaii’s intense heat. The base is made up of (you guessed it) shaved ice and sometimes ice cream and can be topped with all manner of syrups and local fruits, condensed milk, sweet azuki beans, and more. Shave ice is available at snack shops throughout Hawaii; start with Waiola Store in Honolulu.
Poke
Poke is the Hawaiian version of Japanese sashimi (raw fish), though served in bite-sized chunks as opposed to delicate slices. There are so many varieties of poke in Hawaii, from different kinds of fish (tuna being the most popular) to all manner of marinades, like soy sauce and mayonnaise and Maui onions.
Poke has become synonymous with poke bowls, which have grown in popularity all over the world. Bowls are assembled from a bed of rice and one’s choice of fish cubes; though modern interpretations include other forms of animal and soy protein, plus vegetables. Check out Ahi Assassins in Honolulu, Kahuku Superette in Oahu, or build your own poke bowls at bars in supermarkets.
Hawaiian Plate
Finally…if you want to try a little of everything, order a Hawaiian plate. Start with slightly mushy steamed rice and creamy macaroni salad (a make-or-break component), and then add on as many varieties of meat and sides as you see fit. Popular choices include fried mahi-mahi fish, hamburger steaks, chicken katsu, tripe stew, Lomi salmon, and haupia.
Like with Spam musubi, Hawaiian plates are better enjoyed in relaxed settings, like on the beach. Alternatively, there are loads of hole-in-the-wall places to get your fill of creamy, starchy food. Start with beloved local joints like Rainbow Drive-In near Waikiki, or Highway Inn at Kaka’ako.
We hope this list of local foods to try in Hawaii has whet your appetite!
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