Hawaiian Food

Hawaii is a special place and there is nothing like traditional Hawaiian Food. Many people have never heard of Hawaiian dishes. In fact, many people have never heard of the ingredients either. If you have ever traveled here, you probably have a favorite dish … or two. Here are some of the most common dishes you are going to see on menus and in the grocery stores.

Taro

Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is a tropical plant whose leaves are used in many Hawaiian dishes. Sold both fresh and frozen in grocery stores.

Poi

Poi is taro root cooked and mashed. Many visitors have trouble eating poi. In fact, not all Hawaiians care for poi. It's a light purple thick liquid often eaten with the fingers. Poi is sour so some people add sugar.

Ti Leaves

Ti leaves come from a plant in the agave family and are used in cooking and steaming food and for decorations. Also used for good luck.

Huli Huli Chicken

Hawaii’s version of barbeque and loved by people from all over the world. You'll find it in grocery stores more than in restaurants and most often you'll find people on the side of the road or in parking lots selling Huli Huli Chicken straight off their grills.

Spam and Spam Musubi

Okay, Spam is not an original island food but it is super popular here. So popular they’ve created sushi Spam Musubi – Spam on rice wrapped with seaweed.

Lau Lau

Meat or fish wrapped in taro leaves and then wrapped in ti leaves. (You can eat the taro leaves but not the ti leaves.) Traditionally, the lau lau is cooked in an imu, which is an underground oven. Otherwise, it's cooked in the regular oven or pressure cooker. Often served in plate lunches.

Kalua Pig

Also traditionally cooked in an imu, but works well in a pressure cooker or on the grill. It's pork, salt and often liquid smoke. On the grill or in the imu, the kalua pig is wrapped in leaves.

Plate Lunch

Plate lunches are simple, affordable and local. Typically, you'll get rice, another side dish such as macaroni salad and a main dish, usually meat or fish.

Haupia

This is a simple, light, coconut dessert about the consistency of gelatin. A great way to complete your traditional Hawaiian meal!

Click here for our recommendations for the best local Hawaiian food.

Return from our Hawaiian Food page to our Home Page