Hawaiian Plate Lunch is a type of Plate Lunch, one that features traditional Hawaiian dishes like lomi lomi salmon, pipikaula, poi, and much more! Here’s everything you need to know Hawaiian Plate Lunch, where to eat it, and how to make it at home.
Plate Lunch In Hawaii
If you’ve visited Hawaii, you’ve probably come across Plate Lunch. Plate Lunch is a popular type of Hawaii meal that consists of rice, meats, and vegetables.
It’s called Plate Lunch because everything is piled together in one plate. Easy, convenient, and very delicious!
Within the general Plate Lunch category are three subcategories:
- Local Plate Lunch
- Korean Plate Lunch
- Hawaiian Plate Lunch (locals just call it “Hawaiian Plate”)
Today we’ll take a closer look at Hawaiian Plate Lunch!
What Is Hawaiian Plate Lunch?
Hawaiian Plate Lunch features all traditional Hawaiian food (similar to how Korean Plate Lunch features all Korean food).
You usually get one or two types of starch (like rice and poi), a meat choice like lau lau and kalua pig, and perhaps a chilled seafood like lomi lomi salmon and ahi poke.
Hawaiian Plate Lunch always comes with dessert. It is typically a square of haupia. The haupia is tucked right into the plate/container along with the other savory dishes.
Dishes In A Hawaiian Plate Lunch
While many different types of dishes can go in a Hawaiian Plate Lunch, the average Hawaiian Plate Lunch features just 3-6 of those items. These items can include:
Seafood (Chilled)
- Lomi Lomi Salmon – Refreshing salted salmon and tomato salad. Served chilled. Also an essential part of the Fish and Poi song ^_^
- Poke – Traditionally made with ahi fish, but can feature other types of fish.
- Opihi – Often called “Hawaiian Limpet.”
Meats (Hot)
- Lau Lau – Made with both pork and butterfish.
- Kalua Pig – Also called Kalua Pork, but locals call it Kalua Pig.
- Kalua Pig and Cabbage – Kalua Pig that is cooked and simmered with cabbage.
- Pipikaula – Almost like a cross between beef jerky and Korean kalbi.
Starch
- Poi – Essential. The foundation starch of Hawaiian cuisine!
- Macaroni Salad – The best, the best!!
- Rice – We eat rice three meals a day here. Note: rice is not traditional Hawaiian food, but it’s been long incorporated into Hawaiian meals. You’ll find rice along with poi as starch options at all Hawaiian restaurants.
- Chicken Long Rice – This is so good we sometimes just eat giant bowls of chicken long rice for lunch.
Dessert
- Haupia – Also known as Hawaiian coconut pudding (but it has a firmer, jelly-like texture).
Sides and Condiments
- Sliced sweet Maui Onions and Hawaiian Sea Salt – Dip the onions in the sea salt and snack away.
- Chili Pepper Water – Splash chili pepper over everything. It’s like hot sauce with a bright vinegar tang.
Where To Eat Hawaiian Plate Lunch
Yama’s Fish Market (Oahu)
Yama’s is our go-to spot for takeout Hawaiian Plates. They have many different pre-set Hawaiian Plate choices – I like the #6 which has kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poke, and haupia. Comes with rice, or pay a little more to substitute poi. Yama’s is a takeout spot so plan ahead. There are two small tables outside, but they’re usually taken during lunch outs. Yama’s is a favorite stop for getting lunch to take to the beach, picnics, grandma’s house, etc. Full Yama’s post here.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Oahu)
Helena’s is the most famous Hawaiian food place in Hawaii. They make all the classic Hawaiian dishes and they do it so well. While you won’t get all the dishes on a single plate (it is called plate lunch after all :), they are presented in small, shareable plates (almost like tapas, but not). Order a ton and fill the table. Full Helena’s post here.
Fort Ruger Market (Oahu)
Fort Ruger Market is located near KCC Farmers Market and the Diamond Head hike (a very ideal post-hike lunch). They specialize in Hawaiian Plates and Filipino food (it’s not unusual to mix the food of multiple cultures in Hawaii, that is after all, the foundation of Hawaii cuisine). I always get the Hawaiian Plate A which comes with lau lau, kalua pig, pipikaula, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia. And rice 🙂 There’s a bunch of picnic tables outside that you can sit and eat at.
Punahou Carnival (Oahu)
If you happen to be in Hawaii during the first February weekend (Friday and Saturday), you must visit the Punahou Carnival. You’re not there for the rides and games, you’re there for the food. Specifically the amazing malasadas, Portuguese bean soup, and the Hawaiian Plate Lunch!
Hawaiian Plate Lunch Recipes
If you’re not in Hawaii, no worries! You can make many of these Hawaiian dishes at home. Here are the recipes:
Hawaiian Lau Lau
Lau lau is made of pork and butterfish wrapped in lu’au leaves and ti leaves. It's steamed and eaten with rice and poi. Such a treat!
Pipikaula
Seasoned and semi-dried beef. Pan-fried and eaten hot! So delicious.
Chicken Long Rice
Chicken Long Rice is made from vermicelli noodles, chicken thighs, fresh ginger, and green onions. It’s comforting and clean.
Luau Stew
Luau Stew is made by cooking fresh luau leaves (which come from the taro plant). You can make luau stew plain/vegetarian or with squid, chicken, beef, or pork.
Lomi Lomi Salmon
Lomi Lomi Salmon is made from salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions. It’s a must-have for any Hawaiian plate lunch, meal or luau.
Haupia (Hawaiian Coconut Pudding)
Haupia is dessert! It's like a cross between coconut pudding and jelly. The key ingredient in Haupia is coconut milk and it’s pronounced as: “how-p-ahh.”
Chili Pepper Water
Chili Pepper Water is beloved Hawaiian condiment made from garlic, chilis, and vinegar. Think of it as a Hawaiian hot sauce ^_^
E ‘oka au i ke pā mea ‘ai Hawai’i? This is great! Pōloli ka ‘ōpū!