Dining choices in Hawaii range from fast food places that seem to be ubiquitous world wide, to wonderful little “mom and pop shops”, to fine dining-reservation only establishments. The cuisine is just as varied. Noodles, rice, steak, fish, fried, baked, and raw, you name it, you can find it here in Hawaii.
When you think of dining in Hawaii you first thought is probably of going to a luau. That is for good reason, luaus are so much fun. When you first arrive at the luau, you usually get a nice cool beverage to drink and have some sort of entertainment until the crowd all gathers. Then the opening of the imu, or pit in which the kalua pig has been cooked, occurs. Boy does it smell great!
Then the eating begins. Most luaus have poi to try, and it will probably be one of the only places that you see it, so go ahead and give it a taste. The best way is to load a little of the poi on your fork and then add some meat. The poi really has no taste unless it has been fermented, in which case it will be slightly sour. Other menu items might include sea weed salad, lomilomi salmon, chicken long rice, ono, sweet potato (which is white and served cold), coconut cake, coconut pudding, an assortment of fresh fruits.
Don’t stop with just a luau when dining Hawaiian style. A favorite of the locals are the plate lunches. It usually has a meat of some sort, 2 scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad or potato salad. These lunches are meant for the working folks, so they are no frills, just great food at a great price.
The noodle shops are another great choice for something different. A lot of these establishments fall into the mom and pop shop, and are frequented by the locals. Noodles are served hot, cold, with meat, without meat; with veggies… well you get the idea. The noodle shops have various names and they are located everywhere on the islands. Theses are an exceptional way to please the whole family, if you are traveling with children.
Another great dining choice in Hawaii is the sushi restaurants. These come in all price ranges from very reasonable to the fine dining category. If you like sushi or are just going to try it for the first time Hawaii, it is a great place to get fresh out-of –the-ocean fish. This is one food that really can look like art work! The different pieces of rolls, nigiri, temaki, makimono are just beautiful to look at, and even better to eat. Top it off with a dish of edamame and you are in business!
The best teriyaki in the world is found in Hawaii. It is not too sweet, not too juicy, and not too salty, it is simply the best. It is served on most menus in the islands, and once you taste, it you will have a hard time trying anything else! Bar-B-Q is another favorite dining experience in Hawaii. Bar-B-Q makes sense in an area where the weather is almost always perfect, and where better to eat a Bar-B-Q picnic lunch than at the beach? You can zip by the Bar-B-Q pit, grab a plate lunch to go, and be at the beach in a snap.
Need a little something sweet? Try a malasada; it is like a cake doughnut without the hole, which has been rolled in sugar. Or try some Hawaiian Shave Ice; it is a yummy treat on a hot day in the Islands, or maybe a big scoop of macadamia nut ice cream.
Sometimes a restaurant with a buffet is the way to go, in order to please everyone in the group. The variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available to the local Hawaiian chefs make for interesting dishes that just can’t be recreated outside of the islands. The fresh fish that is available also makes for an incredible dining experience. Mahi with watermelon salsa, fresh pineapple-mango chutney, salad bars with an eye popping (and button popping) array of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables that also include sweet Maui onions. You just can’t go wrong.
Does your Hawaiian dining experience include just a quiet, secluded table for the two of you? Hawaii has those spots too. What could be more romantic than a quiet table by the ocean, so you can hear the surf, a light trade wind and the one you love? Supper will be almost an after thought. If you haven’t already, try some of the wonderful fish that are available in the Islands. Ono, Mahi, Ahi tuna, grouper, sea bass, are just a few that are available and the styles of preparation are almost endless.
Dining in Hawaii is an amazing way to get to try the foods of several different cultures all during one vacation. Sushi, teriyaki, Bar-B-Q, poi, malasada, luaus, quick bites, picnics, long wonderful diners with the one you love. The Hawaiian Islands offer it all.
Aloha,
Mike
