Hawaiian Cuisine

Hawaii's cuisine is a fascinating fusion of Polynesian tradition, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Portuguese influences — a reflection of the islands' immigration history. Here, you eat differently than on the mainland: fresher, more diverse, and with a love for rice, fish, and pork that permeates everything.

Poke

Poke (pronounced "Poh-keh") is Hawaii's national dish: cubes of raw Ahi tuna (or salmon, octopus, tofu), marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, seaweed, and chili. Known as a hyped food trend on the mainland and in Europe, poke in Hawaii is everyday food — every supermarket has a poke counter with 10–20 varieties (from $12 per pound). The best poke bowls: Ono Seafood in Honolulu, Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors on Maui (yes, a liquor store with the best poke on the island), and Suisan Fish Market in Hilo.

Plate Lunch

The Plate Lunch is Hawaii's cheapest and most filling meal: A main dish (Teriyaki Chicken, Kalbi Short Ribs, Katsu, Laulau) with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. Sounds simple, but it's incredibly satisfying and a real piece of Hawaiian culture. Available everywhere, from drive-ins to food trucks, for $10–15. The best: Rainbow Drive-In in Honolulu (since 1961) and Zippy's (the Hawaiian fast-food chain, an institution).

Loco Moco

Hawaii's ultimate comfort food: A hamburger patty on a bed of rice, topped with gravy and a fried egg. Invented in 1949 at Café 100 in Hilo (Big Island), where the original is still available — for under $5. Sounds inelegant, tastes heavenly.

Lūʻau

A Lūʻau is a traditional Hawaiian feast with food, music, and dance. The centerpiece is Kālua Pig — a whole pig cooked for hours in an underground oven (Imu) until the meat falls apart like butter. Other traditional dishes: Poi (purple taro mash, an acquired taste), Laulau (pork steamed in taro leaves), Haupia (coconut pudding). Tourist Lūʻaus cost $100–200 per person — the best value is offered by the Old Lahaina Lūʻau on Maui.

Shave Ice

Not to be confused with "Shaved Ice" (that's something else!) — Hawaiian Shave Ice is feather-light, paper-thin ice, topped with tropical syrups (Lilikoi/passion fruit, guava, mango, Li Hing Mui). The premium version has a scoop of ice cream or azuki beans at the bottom. The best on the islands: Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa (Oahu, since 1951) and Ululani's on Maui.