Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Lisa Marie Favre

I know people always say you can learn a lot about a place through its cuisine, but I think it’s especially true for Hawaii. What’s unique about Hawaii is that there is no ethnic majority. Every group is a minority and contributes to the most popular Hawaiian food dishes. From Chinese to Korean, to Japanese, and Portuguese, the food scene in Hawaii is always evolving and it’s now one of the top foodie destinations in the United States. What else is there to know about these islands? Learn its history, culture and other unique aspects through these Hawaii facts.

I’ve visited Hawaii more than 35 times and I’ve eaten just about every Hawaiian food item you can think of. I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10 Hawaiian dishes to try for a first trip to Hawaii. Some you can find at luaus, but others are best at food trucks or local restaurants. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

Kalua Pork

One of the most famous things to eat in Hawaii is Kalua Pork. This traditional Hawaiian dish is roasted in an underground oven called an imu. They wrap a whole pig in leaves and bury it with hot rocks for hours. The ending result is shredded pork with a smoky flavor. I recommend eating it with a side of poi (pounded taro root.) The tangy, fermented paste really compliments the pork for the ultimate bite!

Spam Musubi

The absolute best Hawaiian snack is Spam Musubi, a Hawaiian version of a Japanese dish. Basically, it’s a slice of Spam on a bed of rice wrapped in seaweed. But, the Spam is usually marinated in a teriyaki sauce and fried and the rice usually has furikake sprinkled on it. It’s the best sweet and salty (and filling) snack you’ll find in Hawaii. There are versions with egg that people eat for breakfast, but Spam Musubi is something to eat at any time of day. You can find them at ABC Stores, 7-11, grocery stores, and many grab and go cafes throughout Hawaii.

Poke

The biggest craze to hit the Mainland is Hawaiian-style Poke. This is another dish inspired by Japanese cuisine. It’s chopped up raw fish (usually tuna or salmon) that has been marinated in sauces and topped with garnishes. But, restaurants offer it in several ways. I’ve seen Poke Tacos, Poke Nachos, and Poke Bowls. You can also find fresh Poke at grocery stores and Costco.

Malasadas

If you’re looking for a tasty breakfast treat, you’ll want to try Malasadas. These donuts are a Portuguese dish that has become a Hawaii staple over the past few decades. The most popular place to get fresh Malasadas in Hawaii is Leonard’s Bakery on Oahu. Here, you can find these large donut holes sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. They also have ones filled with coconut cream, chocolate, and tropical flavors like mango, lilikoi, and pineapple. If you want to try to make them at home, here’s my coconut filled malasadas recipe.

Mochiko Chicken

If you are a fan of sweet and salty food, you will love Mochiko Chicken. These are bite-size pieces of chicken marinated in Japanese mochiko flour and then fried to perfection. Once you start eating them, you won’t be able to stop! You can find them at most restaurants that serve plate lunch.

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Hawaii is known for having some of the sweetest shrimp in the world. And that’s the reason while you’ll see so many shrimp trucks around the islands.

The most famous place to get shrimp is on the North Shore.

Here, people will wait hours for Hawaiian shrimp plate lunches. You’ll find coconut shrimp and shrimp with butter, but my absolute favorite is Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp. Eat it over rice for the ultimate lunch!

Fish Tacos

Hawaii is fortunate to have an array of fresh seafood available at all times. This is why it’s my favorite place to eat Fish Tacos.

The best place to find them is at Coconut’s Fish Café on Maui and Kauai. Here, they top mahi-mahi fish with a mango and pineapple slaw that is heavenly. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spicy and you’ll need both hands to devour one!

Hawaiian Style Kalbi Ribs

Inspired by Korean Kalbi Ribs, the Hawaiian version is much sweeter and absolutely delicious. The ribs are marinated and then grilled for the most flavorful ribs. You’ll find them served at restaurants with rice and macaroni salad for plate lunches or with garlic mashed potatoes for dinner entrees.

My favorite place to find Hawaiian Style Kalbi Ribs is at Da Kitchen on Maui.

Saimin

The most popular soup in Hawaii is Chinese-style Saimin. It’s a broth soup with noodles, meat, veggies, and sliced fish cake. There are lots of varieties, but some feature barbecue chicken, tempura shrimp, and barbecued pork. It’s so mainstream that you can even order it at McDonald’s.

Shave Ice

I’m ending my list with my absolute favorite Hawaiian dessert: Shave Ice! Shave ice is finely shaven ice that is topped with fruit syrup. It’s so much better than a snow cone. Over the last few years, it’s become more of an artisan item with people using organic, cane sugar syrups and topping with fresh fruit. You’ll find lots of shave ice stands all throughout Hawaii. I suggest reading online reviews because not all shave ice is created equal.

And there you have it. My 10 favorite Hawaiian foods to eat in the islands!

Author’s Bio:

Marcie Cheung is the creator behind the destination site Hawaii Travel with Kids. She's visited Hawaii more than 35 times with (and without) kids in tow. The purpose of this blog is to share some of the tips and tricks that she's learned on her adventures in Hawaii so that you can set plan the ultimate Hawaiian vacation!