Mac Salad (also called Macaroni Salad or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad*) is a popular side dish that we love to make at home. Learn about what makes Hawaii's mac salad unique, find the best place to eat mac salad in Hawaii, and get the recipe!
We love to eat mac salad in Hawaii.
The formal name is "macaroni salad" but locals just say, "mac salad."
*Learn more about why mac salad is a local dish and not a Hawaiian dish in the section below.
What Is Local Mac Salad
Local mac salad is macaroni salad that has been Hawaii-ized.
Like many famous Hawaii dishes, we take a dish and adapt it our own tastes/traditions. Everything that comes to Hawaii gets Hawaii-ized ^_^
Local mac salad tastes different from mac salad on the mainland. Key characteristics of local mac salad:
- Tangy - Usually from grated onion or vinegar.
- Lots of mayo - Always Best Foods (which is also sold under the Hellman's name).
- Fully cooked mac noodles - Ideally overcooked! That is not a bad thing because it soaks up the mayo nicer.
- Local add-ins - Think 'ulu (breadfruit) and kamaboko (fishcake).
How Did Mac Salad Get To Hawaii
Iconic Hawaii dishes like saimin and shave ice we created during Hawaii's sugar and pineapple plantation era in the late 1800s. Both those dishes were the result/combination of different ethnic groups working together in Hawaii.
Saimin is a mix of ramen, pancit, Chinese noodle soups, etc, adjusted to local tastes. Shave ice is a mix of kakigori and many different ice desserts from Southeast Asia, also adjusted to local tastes.
But mac salad has an interesting story. Two stories (via Arnold Hiura's Kau Kau: Cuisine & Culture in the Hawaiian Islands):
- Some say mac salad came to Hawaii via potato salad from Europe. Tourism is Hawaii's main industry, and many hotel chefs in early 1900s Hawaii were brought in from Europe. Those chefs got potato salad into the hotel kitchen and restaurant menus. Then it got popular with home cooks (who replaced the potatoes with macaroni because it was more affordable).
- Other say mac salad came from the sugar and pineapple plantation. But instead of coming from the plantation workers (who were mainly Asian), it came from the plantation managers and owners (who were mostly European). They had the (primarily Asian) staff prepare potato salad for meals. The staff adapted the potato turned mac salad for their own tastes.
And that's how we have local mac salad.
Is This Hawaiian Food?
Outside of Hawaii, this dish is often called "Hawaiian macaroni salad." That is incorrect because this is a local dish and not a Hawaiian dish. Mac salad is from Hawaii, but that doesn't automatically make it Hawaiian food. Learn more about the difference here.
I titled this post Hawaiian macaroni salad, not to further reinforce the name but in the hopes that people will discover this post and realize that Hawaiian macaroni salad is in fact, just mac salad!
Since there are many different types of mac salad in the world, you can also call it Hawaii's mac salad, Hawaii-style mac salad, or even mac salad from Hawaii.
Mainly, we just hope you enjoy the dish ^_^
How Is Mac Salad Served In Hawaii
Local mac salad is most often served on a plate, along two scoops of rice and a meat dish (think chicken katsu, kalbi, loco moco, hamburger steak, etc). In Hawaii we call this a "plate lunch."
FYI: The best part is when part of the meat sits on top of the mac salad, and the mac salad soaks up some meat juices. Bonkers!!!
You can also order it as side dish in many restaurants. A side of mac salad is always a good idea! Funny though, if you sit down with a group of friends for lunch at a restaurant, no one will suggest ordering mac salad (probably because it is so fatty 🙂 ), but if you just order it, everyone will dive in for some. And then you'll have to place a second order!
The funny thing is, I don't enjoy eating mac salad on the mainland. But there's something about local mac salad...it's not just the dish itself, but what it's served with, the atmosphere, and your surroundings, that make eating mac salad in Hawaii feel so right.
How To Eat Mac Salad
Fork or chopsticks will do the trick. I eat mac salad the same way I eat rice and poi. It's a starch (though laden with mayo) meant to accompany the main dish.
At Korean places, I'll eat a piece of kalbi, and then use chopsticks to get some mac salad. At a plate lunch place, I'll take a bit of chicken katsu and then a forkful of mac salad.
If I'm feeling extra lazy, I'll use a spoon and just eat big spoonfuls of mac salad (which can be gross or delicious depending on your mood).
Mac Salad Variations
Most important thing to note is that there are no absolute rules when it comes to mac salad. Like how everyone has their own chili pepper water recipe, everyone has their own mac salad recipe. These are cool variations to look out for in Hawaii:
- Spaghetti instead of Elbow Macaroni - I see this version often in Kauai but not so much the other islands. Not sure why that is, but I think it's very cool.
- Elbow Macaroni and Potato - This is a mac salad made 50/50 with half-macaroni and half-potato (boiled and diced). I love this version!
- Classic Add-Ins - Peas, canned tuna, and grated carrots are classic add-ins for local mac salad.
- Special Add-Ins - 'Ulu (breadfruit), imitation crab, tobiko, and kamaboko (fishcake) are considered "fancier" add-ins.
Where To Eat Mac Salad In Hawaii
You can find mac salad everywhere in Hawaii! From famous plate lunch places like Rainbow Drive-In, to local restaurants like Zippy's and Liliha Bakery, and Hawaiian food spots like Helena's Hawaiian Food and Alicia's Market, mac salad is everywhere you go. These are a few places to get started:
- Liliha Bakery (Oahu) - For a taste of very "classic Hawaii" mac salad.
- Rainbow Drive-In (Oahu) - Famous local plate lunches, always served with two scoops of rice and mac salad.
- Helena's Hawaiian Food (Oahu) - They serve mac salad with traditional Hawaiian dishes.
- Alicia's Market (Oahu) - For potato-mac salad.
- Gochi Grill (Oahu) - Love the plate lunches and daily specials, I always order one that comes with mac salad.
- Zippy's (Oahu, Maui, Big Island) - Mac salad comes with most plate lunches. Here's my full post on Zippy's.
- Tin Roof (Maui) - They have 'ulu mac salad! Order it as a side dish for just $1. In addition to the elbow macaroni, this version also has steamed and diced 'ulu (breadfruit), eggs, celery, carrots, garlic salt, and pepper.
- Hanalei Taro & Juice Company (Kauai) - They also have 'ulu mac salad! Love getting this with their poi, kalua pig, and lomi lomi salmon bowl at the Saturday Farmer's Market (at Kauai Community College).
- Fish Express (Kauai) - Order a side of mac salad (made with spaghetti noodles) with your poke bowl.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make mac salad at home:
- Dried elbow macaroni pasta
- Best Foods mayonnaise
- Onion, grated
- Carrots, shredded
- Celery, finely diced
- Salt
- Pepper
Simple, right? All pretty common kitchen ingredients.
Step by Step Directions
Cook elbow macaroni.
Cook the elbow macaroni pasta for 1-2 minutes more than the cook time listed on the package. Drain the elbow macaroni. Set aside and let cool for a few minutes.
Tip from a local: it is super important to slightly overcook the elbow macaroni. More details on why in the section below.
Mix.
Place the cooked elbow macaroni in a serving bowl. Top it with all the other ingredients (mayonnaise, onions, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper). Use a spoon to mix well.
Refrigerate.
Refrigerate the dish at least an hour (this allows the flavors to mix and meld). Remove from the fridge 10 minutes before serving. The mac salad should be cool but not cold. Serve as a side dish. Eat and enjoy ^_^
FAQs and Tips
Follow the instructions on the package BUT cook the macaroni for 1-2 minutes more than the package directions. You want slightly overcooked macaroni for mac salad. The soft texture is a signature of Hawaii's mac salad. It also helps the macaroni better absorb all the flavors.
I like to eat it the day it's made, but you can keep it for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
Ooo yes, many ideas. Here are a couple to get started:
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra tang.
- Replace the elbow macaroni with spaghetti (cut into short pieces).
- Popular add-ins include everything from peas to canned tuna, imitation crab, tobiko, 'ulu (breadfruit) and kamaboko (fishcake).
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
See below. This is a super ono Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe. We hope you enjoy ^_^
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Mac Salad (also called Macaroni Salad or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad) is a popular side dish in Hawaii. This is a classic version that is easy to make with pantry staples. It is onolicious and endlessly adaptable. Enjoy it as a side dish or part of a plate lunch!
Ingredients
- ¼ pound dried elbow macaroni pasta
- ½ cup Best Foods mayonnaise
- ¼ cup onion, grated
- ¼ cup carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni pasta for 1-2 minutes more than the cook time listed on the package. Drain and set aside.
- Place the elbow macaroni in a bowl and mix in the mayonnaise, grated onions, shredded carrots, finely diced celery, salt, and pepper.
- Refrigerate the dish at least an hour - this allows the flavors to mix. Serve slightly chilled (remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving) as a side dish. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe adapted from By Request: The Search for Hawai'i's Greatest Recipes by Betty Shimabukuro.
When I moved to Maui in 1982 I first had Hawaiian Mac Salad at the Kapalua General Store which was the only thing out there at the time. There was no golf course, resort or anything out there. It was wild country. We'd stop there on the way or back from the surf breaks, Slauterhouse, Honolua, Flemings, or just a trip to Hobbitland or the Blowhole. So much magic up there. Anyways, Kapalua General Store made their mac salad Hawaiian style but they added canned tuna fish. Other local spots on West Maui did that too. When I moved to Kauai years later I never saw that kind of mac salad again.
Hi Kathy, I made this on 10 Sep 2023, exactly as written but did omit the celery, none on hand. Great recipe, delicious mac salad, thank you.
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
- Kathy
Just made this and it's in the fridge now. I made a lb. of elbow Mac and adjusted recipe to directions. I did include apple cider vinegar, about 2 tsp. after draining pasta. The onion put in a small food processor until it was a puree.
Changes I would make in the next batch.
No apple cider vinegar (I'm more a purist and prefer without)
Will not add the juice from the onion, unless it's soaked up while chilling.
Overall, it's very good, but would like it more if it were creamier.
What type of onion..yellow or white..since we do not have sweet Maui onions. Ty.
What type of onion is best? Red, white, yellow?
Aloha Brandon! We use yellow onion or sweet Maui onions when we can get them 🙂
- Kathy
Any recipe for cooking table taro? My mom used to make it when I was a kid growing up in Kona. Served diced with milk and sugar. Now I like it just cooked and sliced.
A couple questions coming from a former Kamaina. So we have always made extra for leftovers and the next day the Mayo (Hellman’s)turns oily and does not stay creamy like the first day. Any suggestions?
I didn’t realize the onion was in there and usually just add salt and pepper with small sliced carrots. Not really a fan of raw onion.
@Susie,
Another former kamaina here. Went to Radford H.S. when it was brand new, late 1950's, so a lo-o-ong time ago. Back then, we had to spend one day a quarter helping in the kitchen. Anyhow, the two recipes I coveted were for their mac salad and their shortbread. Helped with the mac salad one "cafeteria day", so observed how they did theirs.
They followed the recipe above, but with the splash of vinegar on the bare, drained, hot cooked noodles, let it sink in while the noodles cool. Then stir in the carrots, grated onion, a little finely-chopped bell pepper, and half the dressing (mayo, a little brown sugar, and a little evaporated milk to thin slightly). The noodles soak up all the first half of that ono dressing that way. Then the mixture, and the remainder of the dressing, were refrigerated. Then, shortly before serving, the remainder of the dressing was stirred in. Made the mac salad creamy.
The shortbread recipe was reverse-engineered for smaller quantity by a friend, but I have since lost my copy, unfortunately.
Yes a little milk is what keeps the Mac creamy.
Hi. Do we use white or yellow onion? Thanks
When living on the Big Island I learned to add small amount of apple cider vinegar to the hot drained pasta and toss before adding everything else. Gives it a nice zing. Not sure if I ever noticed onion in it no matter where I ate it (whether at friends home, a pot luck or restaurant). Maybe the Big Island has it's own variation which excludes it or maybe it was just too small of pieces that I didn't notice?
What is the secret ingredient in Korean-style mac salad (the kind you get from Yummys/Peppas or Gina's)? It's my favorite mac salad and has an extra tang and savoriness, but it doesn't seem like it's just due to vinegar. Anyone know?
I've been making it that way for years...hint ..a splash of white vinegar is the secret ingredient people always ask me about .
Did you mention why rice and Macaroni salad together? Good piece of history.
One summer I was working on Molokai and I was invited by some locals from there for dinner. Two things I'll never forget: #1 they made home made passion juice with their special variety of the fruit and instead of white patatos they mixed Hawaiian sweet patatos in their mac salad. Both onolicious!
I add chopped or graded eggs to my salad for thicker texture.
Yup, I love mac salad too. I make mine with salad macaroni. Nothing special -- mac, BF mayo, shredded carrots, chopped celery, onion powder, and either tuna or kamaboko. And of course S&P. But it's not good for my waistline!
Hi Alan! Ooo good idea with the onion powder! I always do grated onion, but maybe next time I'll try half and half. LOVE it with tuna and/or kamaboko 🙂
- Kathy
@Kathy, I use onion powder since it is easier for a lazy guy like me. But for mac salad, I gotta use chopped celery (for the crunch). For coleslaw and potato salad, I use celery seeds. When I make potato salad and even surumi salad, I put in lots of dill too. Ever use dill in your potato or surimi/mayo salad? Super yummy!
"The funny thing is, I don't enjoy eating mac salad on the mainland."
Same! I think it's because it's definitely "macaroni salad" on the mainland. The only time it's "mac salad" is if it's in a plate lunch - really doesn't taste the same otherwise!
(That said, I'm still going to try to make this when it gets warmer - I never realized there was grated onions!)
Aloha Jess! Yes, that's exactly it! Without the plate lunch type, it doesn't feel quite right. The grated onions are so cool, I almost feel like that the "secret" ingredient to mac salad ^_^
- Kathy
@JB, I read a blog post once, that said the reason that the grated onions are the "secret" to mac salad, is because the grating opens up the millions of cells in the onion, exposing the juices and allowing them to incorporate into the salad (there's a lot of onion juice when grating) vs. with chopping, they stay inside the onion. Grating the onions was a game-changer for my mac salad!
Mac salad is my favorite side dish! I also love eating it by the spoonful but usually never admit that to anyone. My mom makes hers 50/50 (elbow macaroni & potato) but substitutes Best Foods for Miracle Whip, which adds a bit of sweetness to the dish.
Hi Gina! Ahaha eating by the spoonful is the way to go! Love the 50/50 macaroni and potato combo 🙂
- Kathy
@Gina, my mother in law from Hawaii made hers this way..half potato..half elbow macaroni and I have never been able to replicate it. I loved it SO much! I would love your mom's recipe?
Macaroni salad is also popular in Japan. I believe it was introduced by American and British sailors during the early 1800s. Wouldn't surprise me if it go to Hawaii via the Japanese immigrants in the late 1800s.
Hi Kylee,
Yes, that's definitely another possibility. Hawaii is so lucky to be a melting pot of many different food cultures ^_^
- Kathy
"...just eat big spoonfuls of mac salad (which can be gross or delicious depending on your mood)" - uh, when is this ever gross? =)
Ahahah! Fair enough, Brent! ^_^
- Kathy
I've had near gross experiences - like the last bite of my 3rd side order LOL
Hi J!
Lol, THIRD side order?? I've yet to make it past two. Impressive!
- Kathy
Don't forget mayonnaise needs to be Best Foods. I am partial to Barilla macaroni. It's a little thinner when cooked with ridges that add a nice texture.
Hi Kobi! Yes, Best Foods always ^_^ Thanks for the Barilla tip, I'll make sure give that a try next time!
- Kathy