Agar agar is a key ingredient in desserts. It is used to set many jelly sweets that we make at home. Here is everything to know about agar agar. Agar agar desserts we love to ...
Agar Agar Recipes
Purple Sweet Potato Tapioca
Tapioca, purple sweet potatoes, and coconut milk come together in this vibrant dessert. Like a cross between pudding and sweet soup, this tapioca is wonderful both hot and cold. ...
Instant Pot Congee (with Century Egg and Pork)
Congee is a weekend breakfast staple at our home. This is a classic Cantonese-style congee made with pork and century egg. Make it in the Instant Pot for an easy and satisfying ...
Popiah (Chaozhou Fresh Spring Rolls)
Popiah aka Fresh Spring Rolls, is a Chaozhou dish made from rice paper wrappers, sautéed jicama, and toppings like lup cheong, eggs, peanuts, and dried shrimps! All the ...
Sparkling Strawberry Agar Agar
Sparkling Strawberry Agar Agar is a refreshing summer dessert. It's light and clean, ideal for hot Hawaii days. Easy to prepare ahead of time and perfect for parties. Three ...
Shoyu and Vinegar Roast Chicken
This recipe combines the elements of two popular Hawaii dishes (Shoyu Chicken and Chicken Adobo), to make real saucy roast chicken, complete with crispy skin! Shoyu and Vinegar ...
Li Hing Pickled Mango
Pickled mangos are a popular snack in many cultures. Hawaii's version is called Li Hing Pickled Mango. Eaten as a snack or dessert, it's crunchy, tart and tangy. Pickled mangoes ...
Somen Salad
Somen salad is a chilled noodle dish with toppings (like fish cake, cucumbers, carrots, and many more options), and a flavorful sauce poured all over the noodles. Here's how to ...
Sushi Bake
Sushi Bake is a popular Hawaii dish. Imagine the elements of a California Roll (rice, imitation crab, and avocado), layered in a pan and baked till hot and golden! Scoop on a plate ...
Tuna Tofu Patties
Tuna Tofu Patties are a popular Hawaii home cooking dish. There are endless variations, but this is the classic, seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Tuna ...
Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir Fry)
Goya Champuru is an Okinawan dish we often eat in Hawaii. It's a healthy stir fry made with bitter melon (goya) pork belly, tofu, and eggs. So hearty and ono with a big bowl of ...
Fried Saimin
Fried saimin is the same as saimin, but without the soup! It's easy to make. All you need are the noodles and toppings like Spam, kamaboko (fish cake), carrots, eggs, and green ...
Pan Sushi
Pan Sushi is a popular Hawaii potluck dish. It also makes for an easy DIY sushi meal at home. The layering ingredients (like crab, avocado, and cucumber) are flexible, just make ...
Avocado Tofu
The combination of flavors in this dish is so good. It's just tofu and avocado topped with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sesame seeds and ichimi togarashi are optional, but makes it ...
Avocado Smoothie
Avocado smoothies are popular in Hawaii (where generous avocado trees abound!) Blend avocados with lime, milk, and sweetened condensed milk for a lush treat ^_^ Homemade avocado ...
Rafute (Okinawan Shoyu Pork)
Okinawan Shoyu Pork is the local Hawaii version of Okinawan dish called Rafute. It's basically braised pork belly. This dish is saucy, sweet and savory...and extra good with ...
Homemade Soy Milk
All you need are two ingredients to make fresh soy milk: soybeans and water. Just soak the soybeans overnight, blend, strain, and boil. Serve hot, so good! We've been making soy ...
Shoyu Hot Dogs
Shoyu Hot Dogs are a popular local treat, often found at potlucks and okazuyas! Hot dogs are simmered with ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. They're saucy, sweet and salty, and ...
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Hawaii shrimp trucks are famous for garlic shrimp. It's easy to make and super garlicky. Squeeze lemon all over and serve with rice (which soaks up the garlic-butter sauce, so ...
Mochiko Chicken
Mochiko Chicken is a popular Hawaii dish of chicken marinated in a mochiko flour batter and deep fried! It's crunchy, sweet, and salty. Perfect with rice and mac ...
One Pot Lamb Stew
One pot and four ingredients is all you need to make lamb stew. Lots of flavor for little effort. Super hearty and comforting, and (like all local recipes), best served with a big ...
Chicken Adobo
There are many versions of chicken adobo in Hawaii (you can even get adobo fried rice and adobo saimin). This is the version we love to make at home. It's fragrant and saucy, and ...
Miso Salmon
You hungry yet? Marinate salmon fillets in a mix of miso and local pantry staples like soy sauce and sugar. Then broil or bake, and eat. Don't forget the rice. Miso salmon, ...
Li Hing Gummy Bears
Li hing gummy bears are popular local snack in Hawaii. You can buy already made li hing gummy bears, or just make it yourself at home. So easy! Li hing powder + gummy bears, ...
Noodles! Ants Climbing A Tree
Ants Climbing A Tree (aka Ma Yi Shang Shu) is an easy lunch/dinner for one. Saute ginger, garlic, spicy bean paste, and pork. Add broth and soy sauce. Boil with noodles. Then eat! ...
Hot Sesame Oil Tofu
This is a chilled tofu dish topped with hot (almost sizzling!) sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, and furikake. It's refreshing and easy to make. Our go-to lazy ...
Seared Duck Breast
Seared Duck Breast sounds all fancy but it is so easy to make. All you need are duck breasts (one per person) and salt. Cook the duck low and slow. Eat it with a bowl of hot ...
Furikake Salmon
Furikake Salmon is a "very Hawaii" dish that we often make at home. It's easy, looks fancy and can be served many ways. We eat it over rice, or as DIY sushi hand rolls. Furikake ...
Pan Fried Tofu (With Garlic Soy Sauce)
A simple recipe of pan fried tofu drizzled with a spicy-sweet sauce (made from garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili flakes). Easy and made with local pantry ...
Hawaiian Beef Stew
Hawaiian beef stew is called "local beef stew" in Hawaii. It's hearty and comforting, full of tender beef, carrots, and potatoes. Best served over a big bowl of rice! Local ...
Shoyu Chicken
Shoyu Chicken is a popular local dish found at many restaurants in Hawaii. It is easy to make at home with basic pantry ingredients like shoyu, sugar, and garlic...here's the step ...
Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizza is not Hawaiian...but it is tasty. It's topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and bacon, plus pineapple. We also add onions. Here's the recipe and how/why this ...
Eggs ‘n Things (Oahu)
Eggs 'n Things is a popular breakfast restaurant on Oahu. They have four locations. Here's which location is secretly the best, plus what to order! Fresh pineapple pancakes with ...
Shiro’s Saimin Haven (Oahu)
Shiro's Saimin Haven is a saimin restaurant with over 60 types of saimin on the menu! They also offer great local food including fried saimin, teri cheeseburgers, and mochiko ...
Shige’s Saimin Stand (Oahu)
Shige's Saimin Stand is a saimin restaurant on the west side of Oahu. Order the saimin (their noodles are made in-house daily), teri cheeseburger, and bbq sticks for the ideal ...
Kaimuki Restaurants (Oahu)
Located a 15 minute drive from Waikiki, Kaimuki is local Hawaii neighborhood filled with mom and pop eateries, sweet shops, and all around amazing food. Here are all the good spots ...
Donuts in Hawaii
We have many different types of donuts in Hawaii. Traditional American donuts are not as popular, but we love poi donuts, mochi donuts, malasadas, andagi, and much ...
Portuguese Bean Soup
Portuguese Bean Soup is a popular local Hawaii soup. The key ingredients are Portuguese sausage, smoked ham hocks, and macaroni. It's a hearty soup that can easily be a ...
Manoa Restaurants (Oahu)
Manoa is an Oahu neighborhood popular for Manoa Falls hike and proximity to University of Hawaii and Punahou School. Manoa also has great food, here's where to eat. Pastry ...
Musubi Cafe Iyasume (Oahu)
Musubi Cafe Iyasume makes 38 different types of musubi (many include Spam). With seven convenient locations across Honolulu, this is a popular musubi spot for locals and ...
Afternoon Tea at Moana Surfrider (Oahu)
Moana Surfrider is an ideal venue to experience a proper Hawaii afternoon tea. From the oceanfront Waikiki beach location, to the excellent service, and lilikoi curd and scones, ...
Punahou Carnival (Oahu)
Punahou Carnival is an annual weekend event that takes place at Punahou School in Honolulu. There are games and rides, and most importantly...amazing local food! From malasadas to ...
Lam’s Kitchen (Oahu)
Lam's Kitchen is located in Honolulu's Chinatown and famous for making fresh cheung funn noodles, jook (rice porridge), and you tiao (fried crullers)! The menu is packed with local ...
15 Local Snacks At Longs Drugs Hawaii
Longs Drugs is pharmacy and drug store chain in Hawaii. It's technically owned by CVS, but all locals call it, "Longs." It's a beloved local brand for many reasons. These are the ...
9 Unique Snacks From 7-Eleven Hawaii
7-Eleven Hawaii is unlike any of the 7-Eleven locations on the mainland. The Hawaii locations are full of local treats and snacks ranging from spam musubi to manapua and even ...
Jujube Ginger Tea
Jujube Ginger Tea is made from ginger, jujubes, black sugar (or honey), and water. It serves as an energizing morning drink, an afternoon treat (especially if you feel under the ...
Luau Stew
Luau Stew is a traditional Hawaiian dish made by cooking fresh luau leaves (which come from the taro plant). Eat it with rice or poi! You can find luau stew plain/vegetarian, with ...
Char Hung Sut (Oahu)
Char Hung Sut in Honolulu's Chinatown is known for three things: manapua, pork hash, and half moon. It's a takeout shop, famous for boxes filled with nostalgic, dim sum-esque ...
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm (Maui)
Ali'i Kula Lavender is a famous Maui lavender farm. It's located in Kula town in Upcountry Maui. They have tours, a fun gift shop, and housemade lavender tea and ...
Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)
Japchae is a Korean noodle dish that is very popular in Hawaii. It's made from glass noodles (dangmyeon) and many different vegetable. Some places add meat but we love to make this ...
Sun Noodle (Oahu)
Sun Noodles is a world famous noodle factory that started in our hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. Stop by their Kalihi factory to pick from a wide selection of fresh noodles. Take ...
Next Stop, Zippy’s!
Zippy's is a casual restaurant and bakery chain (locations on Oahu, Maui, and Big Island) popular for local food like saimin, mac salad, and much more. They are extra famous for ...
12 Reasons Why I Love To Fly Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines is my go-to airline. They fly all the routes I frequent (such as Honolulu to San Francisco and NYC), and they do it with grace. There are many reasons to love ...
Banán Hawaii (Oahu)
Banán Hawaii is a popular soft-serve business on Oahu. They make dairy-free soft-serve (in many fun flavors like lilikoi, acai, and turmeric) from locally grown Hawaii ...
Furikake Chex Mix
Furikake Chex Mix is a sweet salty Hawaii snack made from cereals and chips, tossed with furikake and a sweet and savory butter-soy sauce syrup. Step-by-step photo recipe ...
Hawaiian Lau Lau
[This post was originally published July 30, 2019. It was updated November 17, 2019 to include a step-by-step photo recipe on how to make Lau Lau at home.] Lau lau is a Hawaiian ...
Crack Seed Store (Oahu)
Crack Seed Store (located in Kaimuki town on Oahu) is a legendary mom-and-pop shop known for li hing mui Icees and crack seed (preserved, salted fruit snacks made from fruits like ...
Manapua and The Manapua Man
Big, fluffy, and stuffed with everything from sweet-savory char siu to kalua pork and Okinawan sweet potato, the manapua is Hawaii's answer to Chinese baos. Baked manapua ...
da Cove Health Bar (Oahu)
da Cove Health Bar on Oahu is where we go for amazing acai bowls (which you can get topped with paiai), fresh juices and smoothies (including a kulolo smoothie). It's located just ...
Over Easy (Oahu)
Over Easy in Kailua (Oahu) is a local breakfast spot that's popular with locals and visitors. They make crispy edge pancakes, kalua pork, a fancy version of Portuguese sausage and ...
Andagi
Golden, deep-fried orbs, a batter rich with milk and sugar...this is Andagi, an Okinawan doughnut that is Hawaii staple at local markets, bento shops, and bon dances around ...
Tin Roof Maui
Local favorites like fresh ahi poke bowls, mochiko chicken, and mac salad fill the menu of Tin Roof Maui, a famous and very casual lunch spot located just a two minute drive from ...
Tasaka Guri Guri (Maui)
Like a cross between sherbert and ice cream, guri guri is a famous Hawaii dessert served at Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui. Tasaka Guri Guri offers two flavors: strawberry and ...
Osmanthus and Goji Agar Agar
Osmanthus flowers and goji berries come together in this light and clean agar agar dessert. It's easy to make ahead of time, and is a super refreshing treat. Serve it chilled with ...
Strawberry-Haupia Agar Agar
Homemade haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding) made with agar agar, fresh strawberries, and a splash of almond milk! Easy to make, this is a beautiful and healthy ...
Manju, Hawaii-Style!
Manju is a Japanese pastry traditionally filled with sweet azuki beans. Hawaii has a specific style of manju, baked and flaky, with fillings like sweet potato, coconut, and even ...
Aburaage
Aburaage! These puffy pouches of deep-fried tofu are so good braised in a dashi-sugar-shoyu-sake mixture. Serve prepared aburaage as a side dish, stuffed with seasoned rice, or in ...
Aloha Tofu Factory (Oahu)
Welcome to Aloha Tofu Factory! This is where we buy our favorite tofu products. Aloha Tofu is sold at Hawaii supermarkets, but you need to visit the factory for special items like ...
Almond Tofu
Almond Tofu is a light, refreshing dessert that is popular in Hawaii (and at many Chinese restaurants :). It's easy to make, really onolicious, and goes well with fresh or canned ...
Tofu Poke
Tofu poke! It's like traditional Hawaiian poke, but made with tofu for an easy vegetarian meal. Step by step photo recipe below :) Sometimes I love tofu poke even more than ...
Chicken Long Rice
Chicken Long Rice is a Hawaiian noodle dish made from vermicelli noodles, chicken thighs, fresh ginger, and green onions. It's comforting and clean, a go-to side dish or simple ...
Kaka‘ako Farmers Market (Oahu)
Kaka‘ako Farmers Market offers a super variety of fresh produce/fruits and prepared foods (including mochi and baked goods)! Visiting this Honolulu farmers market is a Saturday ...
Teruya’s Andagi (Oahu)
Teruya's Andagi (Honolulu, Oahu) is one of my favorite takeout spots. They've been around since 1987, making local Japanese bentos, hot andagi, and sweet potato mochi. Head this ...
Plantation Iced Tea
Plantation Iced Tea is a popular drink in Hawaii, and found on menus of restaurants and cafes. It's made from black tea, pineapple juice, and simple syrup. Refreshing on a warm ...
Ti Leaf Versus Luau Leaf
People often confuse Ti Leaf and Luau Leaf (the two essential leaves of Hawaiian food). Here's the difference between the two, and when/how to use each leaf. Preparing a ...
Ono Seafood (Oahu)
Poke is made to order at Ono Seafood, a tiny, low key spot that offers some of the best poke bowls and poke by the pound in Hawaii. Ono Seafood is just five-minutes from Waikiki ...
Ahi Assassins (Oahu)
Ahi Assassins is a popular spot in Honolulu for fresh poke, locally caught. It's a tiny hole in the wall, offering poke bowls, ahi plate lunch, and smoked dips. Here's everything ...
Leonard’s Bakery (Oahu)
Leonard's Bakery in Honolulu is where you go for malasadas, a popular Hawaii dessert. Malasadas are golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and super onolicious. Here's ...
Lomi Lomi Salmon
[This post was originally published July 22, 2019. It was updated September 26, 2019 to include a step-by-step photo recipe on how to make Lomi Lomi salmon at home.] Lomi Lomi ...
Garlic and Fish Sauce Eggplant
Garlic and Fish Sauce Eggplant is one of our family's go-to dishes. We ate it often as kids and eat it even more as adults. It's easy to make (and tastes even better the next ...
Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts are a local snack we all grew up eating in Hawaii. Here's where to get it, how to make it (and eat it) ^_^ Growing up in Hawaii, I always thought that ...
Tea In Hawaii
Locally grown tea is a new crop for the Hawaii agriculture industry. Most of it comes from the Big Island where the east side is populated with small tea gardens that grow and ...
Pumpkin Crunch! Lemon Crunch!
Pumpkin Crunch Bars/Cakes and Lemon Crunch Cakes are popular local desserts in Hawaii. Growing up, we ate them often at birthday parties and potlucks. Now as adults, we make it at ...
Travaasa Hana (Maui)
Travaasa Hana is a tranquil resort located in Hana, Maui. With cottages in place of traditional hotel rooms, it's remote and relaxing, unlike any other hotel on the ...
Best Dim Sum in Honolulu (Oahu)
Honolulu has many great dim sum options. From Jade Dynasty to Legend Seafood, Tai Pan, and Tim Ho Wan Waikiki, these are the restaurants we love to visit for dim sum. Sesame ...
Halekulani Hotel (Oahu)
Halekulani is a luxurious and iconic Hawaii hotel. Located in Waikiki, Halekulani also has great dining (think coconut cake, afternoon tea at Orchids and sunset mai tais at House ...
What Is Poke?
Poke is Hawaiian dish of diced raw ahi tuna mixed with Hawaiian sea salt, inamona (kukui nuts), and ogo (seaweed). There are many variations. Poke is so trendy now, but we ate this ...
Maguro Brothers Hawaii (Oahu)
Maguro Brothers Hawaii is a wonderful place in Honolulu for super fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and ahi poke over rice. We love this place! King salmon sashimi on rice, add uni. ...
Yama’s Fish Market (Oahu)
Yama's Fish Market is one of Hawaii's best Hawaiian food spots. It's loved by locals for housemade lau lau, ahi poke (many different options!), and the dreamiest haupia ...
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Mac salad is a staple side dish in Hawaii. Our version is unique to the islands, often a bit tangy and loaded with add-ins like kamaboko and 'ulu (breadfruit). Mac salad (with ...
Opihi, The Hawaiian Limpet
Opihi is a Hawaiian delicacy. It's a limpet that lives on seaside rocks (they are notoriously hard to pry off). Remove the shell and eat them raw or cooked. Cleaning and eating ...
A Taste of Hawaii in San Francisco
San Francisco is rich with Hawaii-influenced food. From shave ice to homemade spam and butter mochi, it's easy to find a taste of Hawaii in SF. Homemade POG at Boba Guys Did ...
Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Oahu)
Helena's Hawaiian Food is an iconic restaurant, famous for traditional Hawaiian food. Helena's is loved by locals and visitors. It's a must-try when in Hawaii! Welcome to ...
Spam Musubi, A Hawaii Snack!
Spam Musubi is a famous Hawaii snack made from Spam, rice, and nori. It's portable, affordable, and tasty! It's the most popular way to eat Spam in Hawaii. Spam (with Egg, ...
POG aka Passion Fruit-Orange-Guava Juice
POG stands for Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava! It's a chilled fruit juice that was invented on the island of Maui, and is now popular worldwide. Homemade POG juice ...
10 Things To Get At Costco Hawaii
Costco is a big deal in Hawaii. Everyone loves Costco because they do a great job stocking the local, Hawaii-only eats! Here's what to get at Costco Hawaii. The famous macadamia ...
Waiola Shave Ice (Oahu)
Waiola Shave Ice is a famous shave ice store in Hawaii. They have all the classics flavors, plus Hawaii-only treats like li hing mui, lychee, and lilikoi! Li hing mui and ...
Poi, Hawaii’s Staple Starch
Poi is the staple starch of Hawaiian food. Made from the root of the taro (kalo) plant, it's sticky, sweet, and a bit sour. It's a Hawaii must-try food. Fresh bags of poi, still ...
Li Hing Mui, A Hawaii Obsession
Li hing mui is a Hawaii dried plum treat that comes in the form of a seed (for snacking) and powder (for sprinkling on anything from shave ice to fresh fruits). It is sweet, salty, ...
The Ultimate Hawaii Shave Ice Guide
Shave ice is a popular Hawaii dessert made from shaving blocks of ice and topping it with fruit syrups. Here's how to eat it, make it, and where to get it! Pineapple shave ice ...