Hawaii, a paradise island with expansive beaches and magnificent natural landscapes, is not only famous for tourism but also a unique culinary destination. Hawaiian cuisine is a delicate blend of different cultures, from Polynesian, Japanese, and Chinese to Portuguese and American. This fusion has created a distinctive flavor that is unforgettable for anyone who has tasted it.
If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the traditional dishes here. They are not just simple meals, but also an important part of Hawaiian culture and history, offering you unforgettable culinary experiences.
Poke – Hawaii’s National Dish
Poke, pronounced “poh-kay,” is one of the most famous traditional dishes in Hawaii, beloved by both locals and tourists. This dish originated from the native Hawaiians, who used fresh-caught fish and local ingredients to create a simple yet flavorful meal.
Poke can be considered the Hawaiian version of Japanese sashimi. However, instead of thin slices of fish, the fish in poke is cut into small cubes and mixed with various seasonings and ingredients. A poke bowl typically includes:
- Base: White rice, brown rice, or salad.
- Fresh Seafood: Tuna (ahi), salmon, octopus (tako), shrimp, scallops, etc.
- Sauce: Soy sauce, wasabi, teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, etc.
- Toppings: Onions, seaweed, fish roe, corn, Japanese Edamame soybeans, avocado, mango, etc.
A bowl of Hawaiian poke with fresh tuna, seaweed, and rice
Poke offers a harmonious combination of the freshness of seafood, the richness of the sauce, and the crispness of the toppings. You can easily find this dish at any restaurant along the Hawaiian coast.
Spam Musubi – Hawaiian-Style Rice Ball
Spam Musubi is another popular dish in Hawaii, especially loved for its convenience and unique flavor. This dish is similar in shape to Japanese onigiri rice balls, but instead of traditional fillings, Spam Musubi uses Spam – a processed canned meat popular in Hawaii.
Spam is sliced thick, fried until crispy, and placed on top of a block of white rice, then wrapped with a strip of nori seaweed. The combination of the saltiness of Spam, the sweetness of rice, and the sea flavor of nori creates an irresistible and appealing taste.
Spam musubi, a popular Hawaiian snack made of spam and rice wrapped in nori
Spam Musubi is an ideal dish for a quick breakfast, a packed lunch, or a midday snack. You can find it in most convenience stores, supermarkets, and food trucks throughout Hawaii.
Laulau – Traditional Flavor in Taro Leaves
Laulau is a traditional Hawaiian dish, often served on special occasions such as luau festivals. This dish consists of meat (usually pork, chicken, or beef) seasoned, wrapped in taro leaves, and steamed.
Taro leaves not only keep the meat tender and moist but also impart a distinctive, slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the dish. Laulau is usually served with rice or other starches.
Hawaiian laulau, pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed
Laulau demonstrates the Hawaiian respect for nature and local ingredients. This is a must-try dish in your Hawaiian culinary journey.
Kalua Pig – Pig Roasted Underground
Kalua Pig is a famous traditional Hawaiian dish, unique not only for its flavor but also for its distinctive cooking method. “Kalua” in Hawaiian means “baked in an underground oven.”
To make Kalua Pig, a whole pig is used, seasoned with salt, and placed in an underground oven (imu). The oven is lined with hot stones and covered with banana or taro leaves to retain moisture and create aroma. The pig is roasted in the oven for 6 to 8 hours until the meat is tender and has a distinctive smoky flavor.
Kalua pig being prepared in an underground oven
Kalua Pig is an indispensable dish at traditional Hawaiian luau feasts. The tender, flavorful pork is usually shredded and served with rice, bread, or other side dishes.
Poi – Sacred Food from Taro
Poi is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from taro. Taro is steamed, mashed, and mixed with water to create a thick paste with a slightly sour taste.
Poi holds significant meaning in Hawaiian culture, not just as food but also as a symbol of life and connection to ancestors. Traditionally, Hawaiians consider taro to be their ancestor, and sharing poi is a way to show respect and unity.
A bowl of poi, a traditional Hawaiian dish made from taro root
Poi has a creamy, slightly sweet and sour taste, often compared to unsweetened yogurt. This dish may be unfamiliar to many, but it is an integral part of Hawaiian cuisine. Poi is usually served with other dishes such as Kalua Pig, Laulau, or salted fish.
Pipikaula – Hawaiian-Style Beef Jerky
Pipikaula is a distinctive Hawaiian beef jerky. Beef is sliced into thin strips, seasoned with salt, and dried in the sun until it becomes dark and chewy. Then, the meat is grilled over charcoal or deep-fried before serving.
Hawaiian pipikaula, sun-dried and seasoned beef jerky
Pipikaula is an ideal snack to nibble on or served with rice and poi. The beef jerky has a salty, rich flavor and distinctive aroma, making it a must-try when visiting Hawaii.
Huli Huli Chicken – Fragrant Grilled Chicken
Huli Huli Chicken is a famous Hawaiian grilled chicken, marinated in a special sauce made from brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and pineapple juice. The chicken is grilled over charcoal, often flipped continuously (huli means flip in Hawaiian) to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
Huli Huli chicken grilling on a rotisserie
Huli Huli Chicken has a harmonious sweet and savory flavor, not too spicy, perfect for enjoying on cool afternoons outdoors. This dish is often sold at roadside food trucks or local markets.
Loco Moco – Hearty Rice Plate
Loco Moco is a popular dish in Hawaii, commonly eaten for breakfast. This dish consists of white rice, fried eggs, a hamburger patty, and is topped with gravy.
Loco moco, a Hawaiian breakfast dish with rice, hamburger patty, egg, and gravy
Loco Moco may seem simple, but the combination of ingredients creates a wonderful flavor. Soft rice, creamy eggs, savory hamburger patty, and flavorful gravy make for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Lomi Salmon – Fresh Salmon Salad
Lomi Salmon is a fresh salmon salad with tomatoes, onions, and crushed ice. Salmon is diced, salted, and mixed with other ingredients to create a refreshing dish, very popular during the summer in Hawaii.
Lomi salmon salad with tomatoes and onions
Lomi Salmon has a natural, fresh flavor and is very healthy. This dish is often served as an appetizer or light meal.
Macaroni Salad – Creamy Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is a very popular side dish in Hawaii, often eaten with white rice and a main course (usually meat). This dish is made from cooked macaroni pasta, mixed with mayonnaise, vinegar, and other vegetables such as carrots and celery.
Hawaiian macaroni salad with mayonnaise and vegetables
Macaroni Salad has a creamy, sweet and sour flavor, making it an indispensable side dish in Hawaiian meals.
Squid Luau – Squid Cooked in Taro Leaves
Squid Luau is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from squid cooked with coconut milk and taro leaves. This dish has a rather unique color and flavor, but is very popular among locals.
Squid luau, squid cooked in taro leaves and coconut milk
Squid Luau is sweet, creamy, and very fragrant. This dish is often served as a soup in daily meals.
Saimin – Hearty Noodle Soup
Saimin is a popular noodle soup in Hawaii, introduced from Japan. This dish includes noodles, ham, dried shrimp, fish cake, onions, and a sweet and savory broth.
Saimin noodle soup with various toppings
Saimin has a delicious, rich flavor and is very easy to eat. This dish is often eaten for breakfast or lunch.
Garlic Shrimp – Flavor of the Sea
Garlic Shrimp is a delicious and popular dish in Hawaii, especially in freshwater shrimp farms along the coast. Fresh shrimp is stir-fried with minced garlic and other seasonings, then served with white rice.
Garlic shrimp stir-fry with rice
Garlic Shrimp is flavorful, rich, and very appealing. This dish is an excellent choice for seafood lovers.
Fish Tacos – A Fusion of Latin American and Hawaiian
Fish Tacos are a dish that combines Mexican and Hawaiian cuisine. Crispy taco shells are filled with tuna, chopped onions, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise sauce.
Fish tacos with tuna, onions, and mayonnaise
Fish Tacos have a unique flavor, combining the crispness of the shell, the freshness of the tuna, and the creaminess of the mayonnaise sauce.
Manapua – Hawaiian-Style Steamed Buns
Manapua in Hawaii is similar to Chinese steamed buns, originating from Cantonese immigrants in the 19th century.
Manapua, Hawaiian steamed buns with various fillings
Manapua comes with various fillings such as char siu pork, minced pork, chicken curry, sweet potato, and Kalua pork. Buns are often sold at food trucks and eaten hot.
Haupia Coconut Pudding – Sweet Coconut Flavor
Haupia coconut pudding is a long-standing traditional Hawaiian dessert. This pudding is made from coconut milk, sugar, salt, hot water, and cornstarch. After thickening, the mixture is placed in square molds and chilled with gelatin.
Haupia, Hawaiian coconut milk pudding
Haupia has a creamy, sweet, coconut flavor. This dessert is often served as a dessert at Hawaiian weddings.
Kulolo – Sweet Taro and Coconut Dessert
Kulolo is a famous Hawaiian dessert. The main ingredients for making this cake are grated taro and nuts, along with sugar, salt, and coconut milk.
Kulolo, a Hawaiian dessert made from taro and coconut
Kulolo has a mild sweetness, soft texture, and is very appealing.
Bubbie’s Mochi Ice Cream – Japanese Flavor in Hawaii
Bubbie’s Mochi Ice Cream is a dessert originating from Japan, beloved in Hawaii. Mochi is made from finely ground glutinous rice with various fillings from red bean paste to ice cream.
Bubbie's mochi ice cream, a popular dessert in Hawaii
Bubbie’s Mochi Ice Cream is sweet, chewy, and comes in a wide variety of flavors.
Hawaiian Sweet Bread – Soft and Melt-in-Your-Mouth
Hawaiian sweet bread has a distinctive flavor, different from other places. Ingredients for making the bread include flour, sugar, eggs, salt, lemon juice, coconut milk, and mashed potatoes.
Hawaiian sweet bread, soft and slightly sweet
Hawaiian sweet bread has a mild, gentle sweetness, soft texture, and is very enticing.
Li Hing Mango – Unique Sweet and Sour Snack
Li Hing Mango is a snack characteristic of Hawaiian cuisine. This dish is a blend of ingredients such as vinegar, salt, sugar, and salted dried apricots. This snack is only truly delicious after being soaked for 3 days.
Li hing mango, pickled mango with li hing mui powder
Li Hing Mango has a mild sweetness and slight sourness, providing a palate-stimulating culinary experience.
Conclusion
Hawaiian cuisine is a unique blend of different cultures, creating dishes with distinctive and appealing flavors. Hopefully, this list of the most famous traditional dishes in Hawaii will help you have exciting and memorable culinary experiences on your upcoming trip. Don’t forget to enjoy these dishes to explore more about the culture and history of this beautiful island!