The first thing I did when starting Onolicious was to create this page to answer: What Is Hawaii Food?
People often get Hawaiian food and local food mixed up. It's something that drives us locals a bit nuts! We are ever grateful to those who take the extra minute to understand the difference between the two types of cuisine.
Hawaiian Food
This post is about Hawaiian food recipes (here's the post for local food recipes).
Hawaiian food is the food of the Hawaiian culture. Like there is Chinese food, Japanese food, Korean food, Filipino food...there is also Hawaiian food. Whereas Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino is tied to a physical place (the respective countries), the Hawaiian food is tied primarily to a culture.
When you visit Hawaii, make sure to check out some of our iconic Hawaiian restaurants. A few favorite spots include Helena's Hawaiian Food and Yama's Fish Market (go to both ^_^). Nothing beats a full plate lunch of all the best Hawaiian dishes.
Hawaiian Food Recipes
Until your next trip to Hawaii, you can still get a taste of Hawaiian food by recreating popular Hawaiian dishes at home:
Chicken Long Rice
One of my all-time favorite dishes, Chicken Long Rice is like the Hawaiian version of chicken noodle soup (though less soup-y). Made from chicken, glass noodles, and green onions, this is a soothing and super comforting dish.
Luau Stew
Hawaiian comfort food all the way! This stew is made by cooking pork, onions, and fresh luau leaves (which come from the taro plant) until everything is all tender and saucy. We usually make pork luau stew at home but you can also make luau stew with squid, chicken, beef, or even do a vegetarian version.
Chili Pepper Water
Think of this as Hawaiian hot sauce. It's a condiment made from garlic, chili peppers, and vinegar. Tangy and bright with just enough heat. Splash it on everything.
Kalua Pig aka Kalua Pork
Locals call it kalua pig. Visitors call it kalua pork. However you call it, it is delicious! Kalua pig is traditionally cooked in an imu (underground oven), but when we make it at home we do it in the oven. Shred and eat plain (hot! juicy!) or saute with cabbage to make kalua pork and cabbage. Here's everything you need to know about kalua pig.
Lomi Lomi Salmon
An essential Hawaiian side dish made of salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions. Toss everything together and let it marinate in the fridge. Serve cold, so good!
Poi
Poi is the staple starch of Hawaiian food. It's made from the root of the kalo (taro) plant and was traditionally eaten with your fingers (now we just use spoon or fork). It's sticky, sweet, and a bit sour...everyone has personal preference regarding texture, consistency, and sourness. We don't make poi at home, but this post is a guide to everything you need to know about poi in Hawaii.
Ahi Poke
Poke is perhaps the most popular of Hawaiian dishes! Though you can now find poke all around the world, the best poke is found in Hawaii. Classic Hawaiian poke is simply made with fresh ahi, Hawaiian sea salt, inamona (roasted and crushed kukui nuts), and ogo (seaweed).
Pipikaula
Marinated and semi-dried beef (same cut used for Korean kabli) is slow cooked in the oven until you get this crisp crust and tender center. Savory with a touch of sweet, pipikaula comes in many forms (some people deep fry it!) and is always delicious.
Lau Lau
Lau lau is a steamed Hawaiian dish made of pork, butterfish (also called black cod), and vegetables wrapped in layers of lu'au leaves (edible) and ti leaves (not edible). Peel off the outer ti leaf layer and dig into to this soft, almost custardy dish. Eat with rice and poi.
Haupia
Haupia (which people sometimes call Hawaiian Coconut Pudding) is the traditional dessert that accompanies every Hawaiian meal. Think of it as a cross between jello and pudding. Served chilled and cut into squares. Eat with your fingers ^_^
i am 69 years old born in honolulu. dad from kauai and mom from maui. i grew up on hawaiian food. lay lay, poi, lomi lomi salmon. aku (dried sticks of tuna). i ate real hawaiian raw fish with fish heads and eyes. this was the old hawaiian style way. real hawaiian food. can’t find it today in hawaii. miss it a lot
@nelson kane, I too was born and raised in Hawaii, raised by my grandparents. I learned to enjoy so many different foods, Portuguese, Philippines, Chinese, Japanese, etcetera. Now things have changed so much it is hard to find the original foods from the islands. I now live in Idaho and still have a few cousins living in Hawaii. I am 76 years old.
Elikapeka.