Hawaii is a paradise for food lovers. From traditional dishes to modern variations, the islands offer a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. If you're looking for a unique culinary experience, here are 10 popular Hawaiian food and drink options you can't miss on your next Hawaii cruise. Poke is a must-try dish for locals and visitors alike.
This rich dish is full of tasty and simple ingredients, like thick pieces of seafood such as ahi or hee (octopus), mixed with different condiments. It's similar to a ceviche, but with a more daring and unique flavor. Saimin is one of Hawaii's most traditional local foods. It's a version of a Chinese egg noodle soup that was developed during the islands' plantation era. You can try how the recipe has been used by different immigrant groups in Hawaiian history, mainly fine noodles inspired by Chinese chow mein dipped in Japanese dashi broth. Coconut is one of Alan Wong's signature desserts; the King Street restaurant sells between 20 and 40 every night.
Even President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle have tried this delicious dish during their annual December vacation on Oahu. Kalua pig is essential for traditional dance and cultural activity. The Hawaiian dish is tender, smoky and delicious, usually eaten for lunch. It consists of proteins, white rice and a portion of pasta, usually mayonnaise-based macaroni. The Hawaiian Plate is found all over the Hawaiian Islands, whether in roadside food trucks, sit-down restaurants or self-service vendors. Better known as a snow cone, shaving ice has the same basic structure as crushed ice with syrup on top.
Try passion fruit, pineapple, or even guava flavors. Loco Moco personifies delicious and simplistic food. Although people can find different variants of the dish, Loco Moco traditionally consists of white rice as the base and a hamburger on the top covered with whole-grain sauce (like that of the Hamburg steak). Then the dish is covered with a fried egg. At Saimin you will find the softest wheat noodles, with the traditional accessories of raw fish and fresh vegetables. The broth will be tasty, like those in other ramen-type dishes.
Saimin is as filling as it is fresh. Made from the leaves of the taro plant, Laulau is a favorite of many locals and visitors looking for a nutritious meal with a bit of history. Modern variations of Laulau include fish or chicken instead of pork. Hawaii is known for its abundance of fruits such as mangoes, strawberries, coconuts, and pineapples - all said to be among the best in the area. Pūlehu means roasting meat or cooking food on hot embers (especially sweet potatoes, bread, or bananas). This native Hawaiian food traditionally consists of pork wrapped in taro leaves cooked underground in a rock oven for hours until tender and smoky. Malasadas are another popular dessert served at many events in Hawaii, including local meetings, luaus, and weddings. The dish dates back to the plantation era in Hawaii and is now eaten as a comfort food any time of the day. Portuguese sausage is impossible to see a breakfast menu in Hawaii without this dish, and most of all, you'll find that many locals enjoy it as part of their breakfast.
Find Pipi Kaula at grocery stores, restaurants, fishmongers, and other local stores specializing in Hawaiian-style foods. If you're looking for other locally-sourced natural shaving sites, visit One Aloha Shave Ice in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaii, Ululani Shave Ice in Maui, and Wailua Shave Ice in Kapaa on Kauai.
