Places to Eat in Hawaii

June 5, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Malasadas in Hawaii

Malasadas are an iconic Hawaii dessert/snack. It’s a plush, eggy, yeast doughnut (usually without a hole in the middle), rolled in lots of sugar and served hot.

What are Malasadas?

Short answer: Hawaii’s doughnuts of choice.

Long answer: Malasadas are yeast doughnuts that came to Hawaii via Portugal. Like all foods/recipes that arrive to Hawaii from another country, the food gets “Hawaii-ized.” We adapted malasadas into our local culture, and today you can find malasadas everywhere from local bakeries, to restaurants/hotels, and school carnivals……

June 2, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Thang’s Avocado Smoothies (Oahu)

Avocado smoothies are one of my favorite things to drink, and Thang’s in Honolulu is where I go. Velvety and rich with local avocados and condensed milk, this tiny Kalihi shop makes some of the best fresh fruit smoothies in Hawaii.

I mention Thang’s avocado smoothies a lot in my old blog. Here, here, and here…just to name a few. Thang’s started as a Chinatown smoothie kiosk in the early 2000s. The owners were Vietnamese and made incredible fresh fruit smoothies. Soursop! Jackfruit! Durian! But the best was the avocado smoothie. They used fresh local avocados (half an avocado per drink), ice, and condensed milk……

June 1, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Two Ladies Kitchen | Mochi! (Big Island)

Two Ladies Kitchen is *the* go-to mochi shop on the Big Island. They’re famous for fresh strawberry mochi, grape mochi, butter mochi, and so much more. Come take a look!

There will be lots of mochi on this blog. I love mochi so much (many people in Hawaii feel the same), and the local, family-run mochi shops we have in Hawaii are special. You won’t find shops like these anywhere else in the world.

Hopefully you’ve already seen the posts on Nisshodo Candy Store and Happy Hearts Mochi (both located on Oahu island). And the post about Butter Mochi. Today we’re at Two Ladies Kitchen on the Big Island!…

May 24, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Hawaiian Desserts: Kulolo (Taro Pudding)

Kulolo is a super good Hawaiian dessert made from taro, coconut, and sugar. It has a texture like pudding crossed with fudge. Eat it at room temperature (or warm, with ice cream!) You can find kulolo all over Hawaii, but it is most famous in Kauai.

Kulolo from Pono Market (they carry kulolo from Kapaa Poi Factory)

Ok, kulolo!

It’s fun to have an audience in mind when you write blog posts. Is this post for a friend who eats kulolo almost every day? (I have a friend who does that.) Or is this post for a friend like Jee. Jee lives in NYC and has not yet visited Hawaii (come soon, Jee!), but we chat often about all the food I eat in Hawaii.

I’m going to go with the latter because……

May 21, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Happy Hearts Mochi (Oahu)

We love local-style mochi in Hawaii. We visited Nisshodo Mochiya in the last post, and today we’re eating mochi from Happy Hearts Mochi!

What is Hawaii mochi?

Hawaii mochi is very different from Japanese mochi. It’s softer, more gentle. It doesn’t have the precise, flawless look of Japanese mochi, but I find this type of mochi more happy and pleasurable ^-^

Where do you get mochi?

I have two regular go-to mochi spots on the island of Oahu. The first is Nisshodo Mochiya in Kalihi. The second is Happy Hearts Mochi. Happy Hearts Mochi doesn’t have a retail storefront. You have to go to their website, select a mochi bento/platter set and order via email (at least two business days in advance). Then you schedule a pick-up time, and pick-up at Natsunoya Tea House in Liliha. It’s a lot of extra back and forth. It’s worth it….

May 8, 2019 Places to Eat in Hawaii

Nisshodo Candy Store / Mochiya (Oahu)

Nisshodo is one of my favorite spots for fresh mochi in Hawaii. Here’s a look at what to order (chichi dango! stuffed mochi!) and insider tips.

I love mochi!

I have a list of food spots I share with friends who ask where they should eat in Hawaii. Nisshodo Candy Store (also called Nisshodo Mochiya) is always on the list. I’ve been coming to Nisshodo with family (mostly mom) since I was in elementary school……