Island-Style Foods You Must Try When You Visit Hawaii
If you try these options on your next trip to the Hawaiian islands, you could very well find some new favorites. The downside is that you’ll be craving these delicious meals after you go home. That could be a good thing and cause you to track down your local Hawaiian food cart, speciality food store, or you may learn how to make them yourself.
With Thanksgiving later this week, you could even note the ones you like best and incorporate them into your family holiday traditions. Either way, these are some of my favorite foods you must try when you visit Hawaii.
Let’s get started…
1. Poke Bowl
Poke (pronounced Poh-kay) bowls are a Hawaiian staple. Traditionally made with raw ahi tuna, they can now be found with different proteins, from chicken to tofu. There are even spicy options to pick from as well. No matter your protein of choice, you’ll easily find plenty of poke options around the islands. Pro Tip: Foodland is one of the best places to get a poke bowl on the islands.
2. Saimin
Saimin is a noodle soup brought over by Chinese and Japanese immigrants. The dish dates back to the plantation era in Hawaii and is now eaten as comfort food at any time of the day. It consists of soft wheat egg noodles, green onions, Spam, and nori. Many people will also use ingredients like dried shrimp, soy sauce, Chinese hot mustard, char siu, and kamaboko. It’s since become a Hawaiian favorite and can be found at most local restaurants.
3. Spam Musubi
Spam musubi is sushi made with rice and spam (yes, the canned meat). This is one of my all time favorites, and don’t let the idea of Spam discourage you from trying it. It’s delicious and surprisingly filling! You can find Spam musubi at most convenience stores around the island. Some of the best places to get it is at a gas station. Not kidding!
4. Loco Moco
The Loco Moco is another famous Hawaiian staple. It’s a dish that’s typically made with white or fried rice as the base, then it’s stacked with a burger patty (or sometimes Spam or Portuguese sausage), a fried egg, and smothered in gravy. This dish originated in 1949 as a way to feed hungry teenagers on the Big Island and is now a beloved comfort food among both locals and visitors. If you want to try a Loco Moco where it originated from, head over to Hilo on the Big Island.
It’s a perfect breakfast dish that will keep you fueled while exploring the islands.
5. Mochi Ice Cream
Bubbie’s ice cream shop is famously known for it’s mochi ice cream and you’ve probably seen their products in the freezer section at your local grocery store. You may have been curious, but unsure of what it actually is. Well, it’s ice cream wrapped in mochi, which is made of short-grain rice that was made into a paste along with sugar. Then, the paste is molded around a ball of ice cream. It’s unique and delicious! It also makes ice cream into a finger food which is great for little ones.
6. Lau Lau
Lau Lau is a traditional Hawaiian dish with pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. According to the traditional recipe, the folded leaves are placed inside an imu, which is a traditional Hawaiian underground oven. It’s often served with rice or poi (a type of starchy root vegetable). You’ll often find this unique dish at a luau.
7. Malasadas
Malasadas are a type of Portuguese doughnut that’s very popular in Hawaii. It was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the 19th century and has remained a staple of Hawaiian dessert ever since. They’re basically donuts that are fried and coated in sugar or cinnamon sugar. Leonards Bakery on Oahu is the most famous one. If you’re ever on Oahu you HAVE to go here and try one. They are to die for! If you like coconut, be sure to try the haupia filled ones. It’s a creamy coconut custard. Yummm.
8. Shave Ice
No trip to Hawaii is complete without trying the traditional shave ice. Notice that we call it “shave ice” and not “shaved ice.” Many people ask, “What’s the difference from a snow cone?” Well… snow cones use crushed ice, but Hawaiian shave ice is thinly shaved to create a unique texture that is more powdery and snow-like. What also makes it special is that it is often made with all-natural ingredients, such as locally-grown mangoes and pineapples, or you can opt to have condensed milk poured on top. (Be sure to try this!)
You can find shave ice almost anywhere on any island, but Matsumoto’s at the North Shore on Oahu is one of my favorite places to get it.
9. Plate Lunch
Plate lunches are a standard lunch option in Hawaii. It originated in the 1880s when people were working on Hawaii’s pineapple and sugar plantations. They typically consist of two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and your choice of protein (usually chicken, beef, or pork). Typically cheap and filling, you can’t go wrong with a traditional plate lunch.
Poi
While poi isn’t one of my favorite things to eat, you can’t go to Hawaii without trying it at least once. It’s a classic Hawaiian staple that is a must-try. Poi is made from taro root, which is a vegetable that’s very similar to sweet potatoes. Once it is baked or steamed, then it is pounded to form a paste. It is very versatile since it can be served as a side dish, dipping sauce, or it can be eaten directly. Most often, Hawaiians enjoy eating poi with fish. You will find poi at nearly every luau, as well as Hawaiian restaurants and some food trucks.
Are You Ready for a Foodcation?
There are so many delicious things to eat in Hawaii that it was really hard to narrow this list down to 10. Whether you’re looking for traditional Hawaiian dishes or something new and exciting, you can find it in the islands. Take along this list of foods you must try when you visit Hawaii, and start planning your trip to Hawaii with Wanderland Escapes today!
And, as a special bonus, Rebecca from Wanderland Escapes is a former Hawaii resident and can share all of her favorite places to eat so you’ll have the inside scoop from a local.
