Aloha! Welcome to Onolicious Hawaii.
My name is Kathy and I'm a Hawaii local (born and raised!)
This blog is a celebration of Hawaii...with heavy emphasis on food ^_^
Are you looking for Hawaii recipes? Visit the recipe page. The 8 most popular recipes on Onolicious are:
- Butter Mochi
- Furikake Chex Mix
- Furikake Salmon
- Lau Lau (bonus: learn about Ti Leaf versus Luau Leaf)
- Hawaiian Beef Stew
- Portuguese Bean Soup
- Chicken Long Rice
- Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Food is a huge part of life in Hawaii. Everyone here loves to eat! We spend a lot of time thinking about, shopping for, talking about, and eating food ^_^
Make sure you know the difference between Hawaiian Food and Local Food. Example: poke is Hawaiian Food but spam musubi is Local Food. (It always bothers us when visitors don't at least try to understand the difference).
Touristy spots are fine but spend a little effort on locating the good eats and you will be rewarded many times over. Here's the Ultimate Hawaii Shave Ice Guide. Eating Malasadas in Hawaii is a definite must! Honolulu offers excellent dim sum. And you should do at least one afternoon tea experience.
Looking to explore different neighborhoods? Here's an eating guide to Kaimuki (Oahu) and Manoa (Oahu). Visit the famous Ala Moana Shopping Center (which has lots of good food). Did you know Ala Moana is the largest open air shopping center in the world? Pretty neat! Locals also love going to Kahala Mall (don't skip the musubi place).
The Farmers Markets on Oahu are not to be missed. Check out KCC Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. For an equally delicious and more low key vibe, visit the Kaka'ako Farmers Market or Kailua Farmers Market. Stock up on rice at The Rice Factory.
Many national food companies make a lot of special "Hawaii Only" items. Check out special Hawaii items in these posts about Costco Hawaii (we love Costco) and Whole Foods Hawaii. Even 7-Eleven Hawaii is pretty special! Our local drug store is called Longs Drugs, it's also a good place to stock up on Hawaii snacks.
While you're at it, swing by McDonald's Hawaii for special Hawaii menu items like deep fried haupia pies, bowls of hot saimin, and the spam, eggs, and rice breakfast platter.
Which hotel are you staying at? Some of our favorite spots include Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki (try Halekulani's afternoon tea plus sunset cocktails with live music and hula at House Without a Key), The Kahala (Oahu), and Travaasa Hana (Maui).
Depending which month you visit, don't miss on local festivals and carnivals. The Punahou Carnival is a classic I look forward to each year.
Blog Archive
Onolicious Hawaii covers three main topics:
- Hawaii Food and Recipes
- Hawaii Hotels
- Eating and Dining in Hawaii
Below are links to every post on Onolicious Hawaii, organized by the above categories. I hope you'll find this useful ^_^
Hawaii Food and Recipes
About Hawaii Food
- Food in Hawaii
- 10 Easy Hawaiian Recipes (and Local Recipes!)
- 10 Essential Hawaii Pantry Ingredients
- Rainbow Cake
- Century Egg
- Sushi Platter
- Sushi Cake (a savory cake that is popular in Hawaii)
- Sushi In Hawaii (from casual takeout to fancy omakase!)
- Casual Sushi In Hawaii
- Food Etiquette In Hawaii
- Hawaiian Food and Local Food: What's The Difference?
- Okazuya in Hawaii
- Hawaiian Sweet Potato (aka Okinawan Sweet Potato)
- What Is A Local Plate Lunch?
- What Is A Korean Plate Lunch?
- What Is A Hawaiian Plate Lunch?
- Donuts in Hawaii
- Manapua and The Manapua Man
- Andagi
- Manju, Hawaii-Style!
- Ti Leaf Versus Luau Leaf
- Tea in Hawaii
- Pumpkin Crunch! Lemon Crunch!
- Opihi, The Hawaiian Limpet
- Poi, Hawaii’s Staple Starch
- Li Hing Mui, A Hawaii Obsession
- Kalua Pig aka Kalua Pork
- Māmaki, Native Hawaiian Tisane
- Coconut Haupia Cake in Hawaii
- The Tale of the Honolulu Baking Co. / Starbucks / Costco Oatcakes
- Special Menu at McDonald’s Hawaii
- Hawaiian Desserts: Kulolo (Taro Pudding)
- Malasadas in Hawaii
Hawaii Recipes
- Taro Cake
- Fish Paste Stuffed Peppers
- Fish Paste Patties
- How To Cook Dungeness Crab
- Lo Han Guo (Monk Fruit)
- Braised Mushrooms
- Hapa Rice
- Miso Pork and Tofu
- Soursop Smoothie
- Steamed Sweet Potatoes
- Wonton Soup
- Shrimp and Pork Wontons
- Cold Tofu Seaweed Chile Crisp
- Natto Omelette
- Loofah / Luffa and Eggs
- Okra and Eggs
- Loofah / Luffa Stir Fry
- Mapo Tofu
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Ono (Wahoo) Ceviche
- Moyashi / Japanese Bean Sprouts
- Cone Sushi (Inari Sushi)
- Shio Kombu Tuna Rice
- Shio Kombu Tofu
- Bok Choy Stir Fry
- Shio Kombu Rice
- Shio Kombu Sweet Potato
- Shio Kombu Sashimi
- Chinese Steamed Fish
- Salmon Roe (Ikura) with Crème Fraîche and Chips
- Pastina
- Chinese Tomato Egg
- Pork and Cabbage Dumplings
- Quinoa Rice
- Pork and Chive Dumplings
- Taiwan Spinach
- Scallion Eggs
- Carrot Stir Fry
- Honey Butter
- Chinese Celery
- Tuna Crackers
- Black Sesame Noodles
- Taro and Ground Pork Stir Fry
- Naan Pizza
- Braised Pigs Trotters
- Kimchi Pork
- Crab Toast
- Mentaiko Hanpen
- Mentaiko Rice
- Bean Sprouts and Shirasu Stir Fry
- Shiitake Mushroom Pasta
- Mentaiko Toast
- Mentaiko Udon
- Maguro Natto
- Natto Udon
- Okra Natto
- Natto Spaghetti
- Natto Rice
- Buddha's Delight (Lo Han Jai)
- Chinese Cucumber Salad
- Lotus Root Soup
- Pork Shiso
- Banh Uot (Vietnamese Rice Noodles / Sheets)
- Orange and Salt for Cough
- Turkey Jook
- Chinese Olive Vegetable Fried Rice
- Chicken Hearts
- Mortadella Sandwich (with pistachios and stracciatella)
- Hainan Rice
- Lemon Pepper Sauce
- Vietnamese Pickled Onions (Hanh Dam)
- Vietnamese Salad
- Choy Sum
- Vietnamese Ginger Chicken
- Onion Sandwich
- Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice
- Soy Cured Egg Yolks
- Tamago Kake Gohan
- Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry
- Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
- Sesame Noodles
- Ginger Scallion Pork
- Ginger Scallion Noodles
- Ginger Scallion Sauce
- Century Egg Salad
- Sea Cucumber Sashimi
- Sardine Sandwich
- Steamed Tofu
- Paprika Shrimp
- Parsley Pasta
- Lemongrass Chicken
- Sardine Salad
- Butter Soy Sauce Pasta
- Mentaiko Pasta
- Ginger Chicken
- Oyster Sauce Chicken
- Midnight Pasta
- Cold Tofu
- Ginger Pork
- Millet Porridge / Congee with Chicken and Mushrooms
- Sesame Oil Chicken Soup
- Millet Porridge (aka Millet Congee)
- Pan Fried Nian Gao
- Kimchi Fried Rice
- Spaghetti Squash and Glass Noodle Salad
- Okra And Bacon
- Ginger Fried Rice
- Azuki Coffee Jelly
- Glass Noodles And Cabbage Stir Fry
- Bitter Melon Tsukudani
- Bacon Wrapped Enoki Mushrooms
- Natto Toast with Cheese and Cabbage
- Okra and Ginger Soy Sauce
- Stuffed Bitter Melon
- Ume Shiso Rice
- Corn Rice
- Lumpia
- Natto Egg Toast
- Banana Lumpia
- Kathi Rolls
- Kalbi
- Kimchi Udon With Cheese
- Squid Luau
- Tako Poke
- Chicken Curry Puffs
- Isobeyaki
- Chinese Bacon Rice
- Fish Paste Stuffed Tofu
- Cordyceps Soup
- Pandan Soy Milk
- Century Egg and Tofu (bonus: learn more about Century Eggs)
- Yaki Udon
- Bacon Wrapped Mochi
- Grass Jelly
- Garlic Noodles
- Aiyu Jelly
- Okara
- Egg Tofu
- Chinese Pork Rib Soup
- Ozoni (Japanese New Year Mochi Soup)
- Bean Sprouts Stir Fry
- Pork Tofu Casserole (Taiwan Mushi)
- Beef Tomato
- Spicy Wontons
- Sichuan / Szechuan Dumplings
- Almond Milk Oatmeal (with black sesame)
- Mung Bean Drink
- Lamb Leg Steak (aka Lamb Steak)
- Japanese Avocado Salad
- Chinese Steamed Egg
- Mama Noodles
- Black Sesame and Soy Milk Pudding
- Furikake Animal Crackers
- Summer Rolls
- Nuoc Cham / Nuoc Mam (Vietnamese Fish Sauce Dipping Sauce)
- Bitter Melon Stir Fry
- Bitter Melon and Egg Stir Fry
- Teriyaki Burger (we call them "Teri Burgers" in Hawaii)
- Homemade Sushi
- Stir Fried Lettuce
- Beef Teriyaki Sticks
- Saimin, Hawaii's Noodle Soup
- Black Sesame Pudding
- Black Sesame Soy Milk
- Black Sesame Paste
- Homemade Soy Milk
- Mango Pudding
- Pork Hash (Hawaii's version of Chinese shumai)
- Sesame Spinach
- Chive and Egg Stir Fry
- Black Sesame Toast
- Mango Slush
- Udon Stir Fry (with Spam and cabbage!)
- Ahi Poke / Shoyu Poke
- Black Sesame Sauce On Steamed Tofu
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Sardine Pupu
- Green Beans with Sesame Dressing (Gomaae)
- Green Beans with Tofu Dressing (Shiraae)
- Black Sesame Soup
- Chive Vermicelli Egg Pancake
- Shrimp Toast
- Cha Trung (Vietnamese Egg Meatloaf)
- Octopus Hot Dogs
- Turmeric Rice In Rice Cooker
- Meat Jun
- Yi Mein (also called E-Fu Noodles or Longevity Noodles)
- Steamed Ginger Chicken
- Hawaii's Local-Style Chow Fun
- Thit Kho (Vietnamese Braised Pork and Egg)
- Steamed Pork With Salted Fish
- Somen Stuffed Aburage (also spelled Aburaage)
- Stuffed Aburage (also spelled Aburaage)
- Ikura (Cured Salmon Roe)
- Peach Gum With Lychee
- Simmered Kabocha
- How To Make Fish Balls
- Boiled Okra
- Breadfruit (Ulu) With Coconut Milk
- Taro (Kalo) With Coconut Milk
- Pocket Eggs
- Gon Lo Mein
- Loco Moco
- Spam Fried Rice
- Rice Cooker Recipes
- Garlic and Fish Sauce Ong Choy (aka Chinese water spinach)
- Korean Bean Sprouts
- Kalua Pork and Cabbage
- 3-Ingredient Kalua Pork
- Simple Japanese Pickled Cucumbers
- Gau Gee
- Rainbow Jello
- Kamaboko Dip
- Hawaii's Famous Oxtail Soup
- Vietnamese Mung Bean Dessert (Che Dau Xanh)
- Tuna Rice
- Rice Cooker Recipe: Edamame Rice
- Hijiki Salad
- Rice Cooker Recipe: Edamame and Hijiki Rice
- Pork Wontons With Sesame Sauce
- Pork Wontons
- How To Fold Wontons
- Dumpling Dipping Sauce
- Braised Daikon, Pork, and Mushroom
- Chinese Tea Eggs
- Salt Beef Watercress Soup
- Rice Cooker Recipe: Scallops And Rice
- Garlic and Ginger Green Beans
- Chinese Sausage (Lap Cheong) and Green Beans
- Local Recipes To Cook At Home
- Hawaiian Recipes To Cook At Home
- Kimchi Dumplings
- Chicken Hekka (like Japanese sukiyaki, but local-style)
- Stuffed Tofu
- Local-Style Chicken Tofu
- Simmered Daikon
- Local-Style Custard Pie
- Pancit Bihon
- Soy Sauce (Shoyu) Eggs
- Teriyaki Meatballs
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Yang Chow Fried Rice
- Braised Duck Gizzards
- Rice Cooker Recipe: Lap Cheong (Chinese Sausage) Over Rice
- Spam Musubi, A Hawaii Snack!
- The Many Noodles of Hawaii
- Misoyaki Butterfish
- Dry Mein
- Pipikaula
- Banana Tapioca (Che Chuoi)
- Spam, Eggs, and Rice (the classic local breakfast!)
- Coffee Jelly (part of Agar Agar Desserts collection)
- Kauai Goteborg Musubi (also called UFOs)
- Making Desserts with Agar Agar
- Purple Sweet Potato Tapioca
- Instant Pot Congee (with Century Egg and Pork)
- Popiah (Chaozhou Fresh Spring Rolls)
- Sparkling Strawberry Agar Agar (part of Agar Agar Desserts collection)
- Shoyu and Vinegar Roast Chicken
- Li Hing Pickled Mango
- Somen Salad
- Sushi Bake
- Tuna Tofu Patties
- Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir Fry)
- Fried Saimin
- Pan Sushi
- Avocado Tofu
- Avocado Smoothie
- Rafute (Okinawan Shoyu Pork)
- Homemade Soy Milk
- Shoyu Hot Dogs
- Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Mochiko Chicken
- One Pot Lamb Stew
- Chicken Adobo
- Miso Salmon
- Li Hing Gummy Bears
- Ants Climbing A Tree Noodles (aka Ma Yi Shang Shu)
- Hot Sesame Oil Tofu
- Seared Duck Breast
- Furikake Salmon
- Pan Fried Tofu (With Garlic Soy Sauce)
- Hawaiian Beef Stew
- Shoyu Chicken
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Portuguese Bean Soup
- Jujube Ginger Tea
- Luau Stew
- Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)
- Furikake Chex Mix
- Hawaiian Lau Lau
- Osmanthus and Goji Agar Agar (part of Agar Agar Desserts collection)
- Strawberry-Haupia Agar Agar (part of Agar Agar Desserts collection)
- Inari Age (Braised Aburage / Aburaage)
- Almond Tofu (part of Agar Agar Desserts collection)
- Tofu Poke
- Chicken Long Rice
- Plantation Iced Tea
- Lomi Lomi Salmon
- Garlic and Fish Sauce Eggplant
- Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
- POG aka Passion Fruit-Orange-Guava Juice
- Chili Pepper Water
- Haupia (Hawaiian Coconut Pudding)
- Butter Mochi
- Hurricane Popcorn
Hawaii Hotels and Travel
- The Kahala Hotel & Resort (Oahu)
- Kahala Spa (Oahu)
- Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort (Lanai)
- The Twin Fin Hotel (Oahu)
- Hawaiian Airlines First Class
- 12 Reasons Why I Love To Fly Hawaiian Airlines
- Kaimana Beach Hotel (Oahu)
- Queen Kapiolani Hotel (Oahu)
- Which Hawaii Island To Visit?
- Travaasa Hana (Maui)
- Halekulani Hotel (Oahu)
Eating and Dining In Hawaii
Markets and Food Shops
- Fish Paste at Kekaulike Market (Oahu)
- Local Eggs (Oahu)
- OK Poultry (Oahu)
- Big Island Candies (Oahu and Big Island)
- J-Shop (Oahu)
- 15 Local Snacks At Longs Drugs Hawaii (All Islands)
- 9 Unique Snacks From 7-Eleven Hawaii (All Islands)
- Sun Noodle (Oahu)
- Aloha Tofu Factory (Oahu)
- KCC Farmers Market (Oahu)
- Kaka‘ako Farmers Market (Oahu)
- 10 Things To Get At Costco Hawaii
- The Rice Factory (Oahu)
- The Good Stuff at Kahala Mall (Oahu)
- Special Items at Whole Foods Hawaii
- Where to Eat at Ala Moana Center (Oahu)
Neighborhood and Eating Guides
- Vegan Restaurants In Honolulu
- Japanese Breakfast in Hawaii (Oahu, Lanai)
- Best Restaurants In Maui (2024)
- Best Restaurants In Waikiki (2024)
- Best Restaurants In Honolulu (2024)
- Mochi In Hawaii
- Must Eat Desserts In Hawaii
- Kaimuki Restaurants (Oahu)
- Manoa Restaurants (Oahu)
- Best Dim Sum in Honolulu (Oahu)
- Afternoon Tea in Honolulu (Oahu)
- The Ultimate Hawaii Shave Ice Guide
Restaurants, Sweets, and Snacks
- Honolulu Skewer House (Oahu)
- Fujiyama Texas (Oahu)
- Peace Cafe (Oahu)
- Sachi Sweets (Oahu)
- Izakaya Uosan (Oahu)
- Seasons Taiwanese Eatery (Oahu)
- Morning Glass Coffee (Oahu)
- Neiman Marcus Espresso Bar (Oahu)
- Little Vessels Donut Co. (Oahu)
- Choco le‘a (Oahu)
- Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle (Oahu)
- SXY Szechuan (Oahu)
- Leahi Health (Oahu and Kauai)
- Afternoon Tea at Kahala Hotel (Oahu)
- Restaurant Suntory (Oahu)
- Kahuku Farms (Oahu)
- Wicked HI Cafe (Oahu)
- Fujiya Hawaii (Oahu)
- Higoto Japanese Eatery (Oahu)
- Kalo Bombs (Oahu)
- Fukuya Deli (Oahu)
- Xi’an Taste (Oahu)
- Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery (Oahu)
- ‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon (Oahu)
- Waioli Kitchen & Bake Shop (Oahu)
- Feast (Oahu)
- Diamond Head Market & Grill (Oahu)
- Pioneer Saloon (Oahu)
- Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies (Oahu)
- Eggs ‘n Things (Oahu)
- Shiro’s Saimin Haven (Oahu)
- Shige’s Saimin Stand (Oahu)
- Musubi Cafe Iyasume (Oahu)
- Afternoon Tea at Moana Surfrider (Oahu)
- Lam’s Kitchen (Oahu)
- Char Hung Sut (Oahu)
- Next Stop, Zippy’s! (Oahu, Maui, Big Island)
- Banán Hawaii (Oahu)
- Crack Seed Store (Oahu)
- da Cove Health Bar (Oahu)
- Over Easy (Oahu)
- Tin Roof Maui (Maui)
- Tasaka Guri Guri (Maui)
- Teruya’s Andagi (Oahu)
- Ono Seafood (Oahu)
- Ahi Assassins (Oahu)
- Leonard’s Bakery (Oahu)
- Maguro Brothers Hawaii (Oahu)
- Yama’s Fish Market (Oahu)
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Oahu)
- Waiola Shave Ice (Oahu)
- ‘Ai Love Nalo (Oahu)
- Sam Sato’s (Maui)
- Hamura Saimin (Kauai)
- Liliha Bakery (Oahu)
- House Without a Key (Oahu)
- Afternoon Tea at Halekulani Hotel (Oahu)
- Valley Isle Kombucha / Alchemy Maui (Maui)
- Thang’s Avocado Smoothies (Oahu)
- Two Ladies Kitchen | Mochi! (Big Island)
- Happy Hearts Mochi (Oahu)
- Nisshodo Candy Store / Mochiya (Oahu)
Events
- Punahou Carnival (Oahu)
Hawaii Life
- The Canoe Plants of Hawaii
- 8 Best Hawaii Chocolate Brands
- 8 Fun Facts About Hawaii
- Fish and Poi, Song by Sean Na’auao 🎶
- Where To Buy Hawaii Snacks Online
Non-Food
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial (Oahu)
- Iolani Palace (Oahu)
- Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm (Maui)
Hawaii Outside Hawaii
- Zojirushi Shokudo (Tokyo, Japan)
- Ono Bakehouse (Berkeley, CA)
- King's Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant (Torrance, CA)
- A Taste of Hawaii in San Francisco
Super Ono!
Super Ono is a collection of recipe ideas, current eating recommendations, and a bit of Hawaii travel. Get the latest Super Ono updates via my newsletter which goes out every Friday. Subscribe here. I promise only tasty things ^_^