Hawaiian meal is a fusion of flavors that draw influences from native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian cultures. The meal is as diverse as the islands themselves. Here’s what our team recommends checking out before riding or flying to Hawaii.
Lomi Salmon
It’s cooked with lomi-lomi salt, which is a blend of sea salt, macadamia nuts, and other flavor enhancers. The result is a green-tinged paste that’s applied to salmon and wrapped in tinfoil before being baked.
The recipe for this meal comes from the Hawaiian island of Maui and calls for:
- 1 pound fresh salmon fillet (skinless)
- 2 tablespoons lomi seasoning paste
- 2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts or almonds (optional) * For serving, you can use shredded coconut flakes or sliced bananas as garnish
Pipikaula
Pipikaula is a Hawaiian meal made from dried beef. Pipikaula resembles beef jerky, which has been dried and salted to eliminate moisture and prevent spoilage. The Hawaiian word pipi means “burnt” or “toasted,” while kaula refers to the process of removing the fat from meat with salt and drying it in the sun.
The classic preparation method involves smoking meat over an imu, or earthen pit oven, similar to those used for cooking poi (a historic Hawaiian starch made by steaming taro root). Today, most people use a smoker in lieu of an imu for their pipikaula.
Pipikaula can be served many ways: one may have it alone as an appetizer; slice it thin so that you may put it on top of your rice; or mix some into your poi (taro paste) for added flavor.
Malasadas
These’re Portuguese doughnuts that have become a popular treat in Hawaii. They’re deep fried and coated with sugar, and they can be found at on-island local bakeries or sold by street vendors. In Hawaii, they’re often served as an accompaniment to breakfast or brunch. If you’re traveling to Hawaii, you certainly need to try some malasadas for yourself!
Lau Lau
It’s a historic Hawaiian nourishment that consists of meat and vegetables wrapped in taro leaves, then steamed. Lau lau is an ideal day-trip meal for beachgoers who want something delicious and portable, with a distinct Hawaiian flair. This recipe will make about 12 to 14 servings (depending on how much you actually eat) so it’s ideal for parties or large family gatherings.
Poi
It’s a Hawaiian staple foodstuff that’s made from taro root. It’s served as a side meal or used to make desserts, such as poi pie. In classic Polynesian culture, this starchy nourishment was often used in place of bread due to its high nutritional value and ability to keep for long periods of time without spoiling.
It’s rich in vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), niacin and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. It contains good amounts of fiber which helps increase satiety so you feel full longer too!
Haupia
This’s a time-honored Hawaiian sweet meal made from coconut milk, cornstarch and sugar. The consistency is like a gelatin-like pudding that’s served with macadamia nuts or other fruits. This meal is ideal for those who enjoy the taste of coconut but don’t want to feel guilty about eating something sweet on their vacation because it’s not too heavy or rich. It can be eaten as an appetizer or even as a side nourishment with some kind of meat selection!
Chicken Long Rice
There’s a meal of rice noodles, chicken, and vegetables. It’s well-known in Hawaiian culture, where there’re lots of varieties of this nourishment. The most abundant type of the rice meal is called “Chicken Panalo.” This version uses shredded chicken breast meat as the protein source in lieu of ground meat or pork belly.
Recipe:
- Cut chicken breasts into cubes and season them with salt, pepper and garlic powder; set aside in the fridge for now.
- Heat sesame oil over medium-high heat in a skillet or wok; add sliced onions once oil is hot; sauté for about 2–3 minutes until softened then eliminate from pan with slotted spoon onto plate lined with paper towel (to drain excess oil); set aside
- Add chopped mushrooms to remaining oily pan along with bell pepper pieces; sauté for another 5 minutes until soft/translucent then remove from pan onto plate lined with paper towel (to drain excess oil); set aside.
Bottom Line
Hawaii has got a lot of delicious meals you have to try and there’re many more that our experts didn’t mention. We hope this guide helps you and your family (and/or friends) find something tasty during your trip to Hawaii.