As the most isolated population center on earth – located more than 2,000 miles from the closest continent – the Hawaiian Islands are unique. Everything from our culture to the food we eat is a bit different than the mainland. From sweet treats and unique pastries to savory dishes and popular snacks, many of our favorite local foods might seem odd to anyone who hasn’t called the islands home.
- Kalua Pork
Arnold Gatilao/Flickr This traditional dish is usually cooked in an underground oven, called a Imu, and served at most Hawaiian luaus.
- Malasadas
Lesleyk/Flickr Malasadas – Portuguese donuts without a hole - are wildly popular in Hawaii, and nowhere does them better than Leonard’s Bakery. A crispy golden brown exterior gives way to a soft and chewy inside in flavors like cinnamon sugar – some malasadas are even filled with custard or haupia, and there is a malasada flavor of the month.
- Spam Musubi
B D T/Flickr More Spam is sold in Hawaii than the rest of America, so it makes sense that the islands have combined Spam and sushi to create spam musabi.
- Manapua
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr Manapua translates to “delicious pork thing” in Hawaiian, and that is exactly what it is: diced pork filling inside a steamed white bun. You can substitute other meats, or even bean paste if you would like.
- Poke
dslrnovice/Flickr Poke, a raw fish salad, usually consists of cubed ahi (yellowfin tuna) marinated with sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, limu seaweed and chili powder. The delicious dish is currently taking over the mainland, but Hawaii obviously still does it best.
- Shave Ice
Chie Gondo/Flickr Ah, Shave Ice: the quintessential Hawaiian treat, the perfect snack for a quick sugar rush after a day spent in the ocean. Is there really any better dessert on a hot Hawaiian afternoon? We sure don’t think so.
- Poi
Greg Tavares/Flickr A traditional Hawaiian dish, Poi is made by pounding boiled taro roots and mixing with water until the ideal smooth consistency is met.
- Haupia Pie
Arnold Gatilao/Flickr Haupia, a traditional coconut milk based Hawaiian dessert, is in the pudding family, and most often used to create a delicious chocolate haupia pie.
- Laulau
bionicgrrl/Flickr Laulau is a native Hawaiian dish consisting of pork wrapped in taro leaves.
- Lychee
THOR/Flickr This small round fruit originally hails from China, but is wildly popular in Hawaii - and may be off-putting to anyone from the mainland, until they try it, that is.
- Loco Moco
Danny Luong/Flickr The loco moco: A beef patty nestled into a bed of rice with a fried over-easy egg balanced on top, with a smothering of brown gravy bringing everything together.
- Mac Salad
_e.t./Flickr The slightly tangy and slightly sweet Hawaiian macaroni salad is a critical part of any plate lunch.
- Saimin
Zachary Zadell/Flickr This wildly-popular noodle soup dish is inspired by Japanese ramen, Filipino pancit, and Chinese mein. It was developed by immigrants during Hawaii’s plantation era, and has become a staple of Hawaiian cuisine ever since.
Have you ever introduced someone to your favorite Hawaiian food and were met with confusion? You might also love checking out these 13 eateries that serve the best Hawaiian food.
Arnold Gatilao/Flickr
This traditional dish is usually cooked in an underground oven, called a Imu, and served at most Hawaiian luaus.
Lesleyk/Flickr
Malasadas – Portuguese donuts without a hole - are wildly popular in Hawaii, and nowhere does them better than Leonard’s Bakery. A crispy golden brown exterior gives way to a soft and chewy inside in flavors like cinnamon sugar – some malasadas are even filled with custard or haupia, and there is a malasada flavor of the month.
B D T/Flickr
More Spam is sold in Hawaii than the rest of America, so it makes sense that the islands have combined Spam and sushi to create spam musabi.
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr
Manapua translates to “delicious pork thing” in Hawaiian, and that is exactly what it is: diced pork filling inside a steamed white bun. You can substitute other meats, or even bean paste if you would like.
dslrnovice/Flickr
Poke, a raw fish salad, usually consists of cubed ahi (yellowfin tuna) marinated with sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, limu seaweed and chili powder. The delicious dish is currently taking over the mainland, but Hawaii obviously still does it best.
Chie Gondo/Flickr
Ah, Shave Ice: the quintessential Hawaiian treat, the perfect snack for a quick sugar rush after a day spent in the ocean. Is there really any better dessert on a hot Hawaiian afternoon? We sure don’t think so.
Greg Tavares/Flickr
A traditional Hawaiian dish, Poi is made by pounding boiled taro roots and mixing with water until the ideal smooth consistency is met.
Haupia, a traditional coconut milk based Hawaiian dessert, is in the pudding family, and most often used to create a delicious chocolate haupia pie.
bionicgrrl/Flickr
Laulau is a native Hawaiian dish consisting of pork wrapped in taro leaves.
THOR/Flickr
This small round fruit originally hails from China, but is wildly popular in Hawaii - and may be off-putting to anyone from the mainland, until they try it, that is.
Danny Luong/Flickr
The loco moco: A beef patty nestled into a bed of rice with a fried over-easy egg balanced on top, with a smothering of brown gravy bringing everything together.
_e.t./Flickr
The slightly tangy and slightly sweet Hawaiian macaroni salad is a critical part of any plate lunch.
Zachary Zadell/Flickr
This wildly-popular noodle soup dish is inspired by Japanese ramen, Filipino pancit, and Chinese mein. It was developed by immigrants during Hawaii’s plantation era, and has become a staple of Hawaiian cuisine ever since.
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