Hawaii Recipes

Chili Pepper Water is beloved Hawaiian condiment made from garlic, chilis, and vinegar. Think of it as a Hawaiian hot sauce. Here’s where to get it and how to make it.

Bottle of housemade Chili Pepper Water on the table at Saimin Dojo in Kauai.

Chili Pepper Water! Also known as Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water or Chili Peppa Watah. 

What is Chili Pepper Water?

Chili Pepper Water is Hawaii’s default spicy condiment. We use it the same way you use hot sauce or shoyu (soy sauce)…in abundance and with joy.

Every household and restaurant has their own recipe for chili pepper water (like how everyone has their own go-to butter mochi recipe). There is no right or wrong way to make Chili Pepper Water, but there are many variations….

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Butter Mochi is a local treat (like a cross between cake and mochi) that you can find in Hawaii. See below for our favorite butter mochi spots (including places for chocolate butter mochi and lilikoi butter-butter mochi!) and a recipe you can make at home.

Today we’re talking about one of my favorite subjects: Butter Mochi!

We grew up with Butter Mochi everywhere in Hawaii. At the school cafeteria/snack bar. You’ll see butter mochi at potluck parties and bake sales. Someone’s mom/aunty/grandma always had a fresh tray of butter mochi at home. It’s available at all the local bakeries. It’s easy to make and super delicious. 

What is Butter Mochi?

Think of Butter Mochi as Hawaii’s version of the blondie/brownie. It has a deep golden top, and is just a bit chewy and sweet. Imagine vanilla butter cake crossed with mochi. Heavenly! Butter Mochi is usually baked in a 9×13 tray and cut into squares for snacking. It’s meant to be shared and eaten at room temperature. 

The two main ingredients in Butter Mochi are mochiko flour and coconut milk……

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Every local knows and loves Hurricane Popcorn. You can buy it (easy to find in Hawaii) or make it at home. Super simple: popcorn, furikake, and kakimochi.

I only see Jee in person a few times a year. But! We chat daily, mostly about what we’re eating, what we’re going to eat, and what we made for dinner. Our chats get really interesting when I’m home in Hawaii for long periods of time…that’s when I realize all the local foods/snacks we eat are not at all common or regular. Like Hurricane Popcorn!…

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