I have long considered Hawaii to be one of the ultimate eating destinations in the world. Plopped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, between the mainland American continent and Asia, it is a heaven for foodies.
Influenced by so many different countries, each bringing its cuisine, Hawaii has developed and perfected flavors that are the signature of the islands.
Although traditional Hawaiian food (similar to Polynesian food) is still plentiful, fusion Asian-inspired dishes are the most popular. Here are five incredible fusion dishes in Hawaii that you shouldn't miss!
Hawaiian Foods
1. Plate Lunch
Nothing goes better with the beach and a day of surfing than a plate lunch. A plate lunch combines two scoops of steamed white rice, one scoop of creamy macaroni salad, and a meat of your choice; all piled into a takeaway foam container. The most popular options include teriyaki chicken, chicken katsu, or fried mahi-mahi.
The meats are often Asian Japanese influenced while adding macaroni salad, and the giant portion sizes are Hawaiian-inspired. Many plate lunch restaurants will also offer a mini, which includes less rice and less meat.
2. Spam Musubi
SPAM is not the most beloved thing to eat on the mainland of the United States. I've met many who aren't overly fond of the tasty block of pink preserved meat, but things are different in Hawaii. SPAM is treasured. One of the ultimate marriages of Hawaii and Japan is the SPAM musubi, a seaweed roll filled with a thick slab of fried SPAM luncheon meat.
Beginning with a piece of seaweed, rice is added, then a bit of SPAM, and finally, the treat is wrapped up and smashed into a rectangular package of goodness. If it wasn't so unhealthy, I could probably eat a SPAM musubi every day for the rest of my life!
Related: 10 Popular Hawaiian Foods
3. Loco Moco
The hamburger is arguably the most famous of all American foods. While it's between two buns, you can eat a burger in a loco moco in Hawaii.
Take a foam container, fill the entire bottom with freshly steamed rice, pile on a few giant-sized fried hamburger patties mixed with onions and seasonings, and pour an abundance of beefy brown gravy. You've got a comforting Hawaiian fusion loco moco.
4. Manapua
Chinese steamed buns, also known as baozi. While authentic Chinese steamed buns can be easily found in Hawaii, some of the tastiest ones have been slightly modified to a local Hawaiian flavor.
Take a ball of dough, stuff the insides with a porky or meaty or even veggie filling, steam or bake it, and you've got manapua. In Hawaii, you can get all sorts of delicious fillings like the common char siu (Chinese red barbecued pork), kalua pig (a Hawaiian food), or even chicken curry!
Related: Itinerary for an Oahu Scenic Drive
5. Shave Ice
Hawaiian shave ice is not as wild as a Filipino halo-halo or as plain as an American snow cone; it's a masterpiece in between. Hawaiian shave ice is made of finely shaved ice molded into a cone, bowl, or cup and drenched in sweet, fruity-flavored syrup.
You can also choose from various other toppings or condiments, such as sweet red azuki beans, sweetened condensed milk, or even ice cream on the bottom. One of my favorite shave ice combinations is the duo of passion fruit (lilikoi) and coconut cream (haupia) topped with sweetened condensed milk.
Hawaii is a confluence of cuisines combined into a unique set of highly appetizing dishes. During a day of enjoying the beauty of the islands, there's no greater pleasure than sitting back and relaxing with a takeaway container of Hawaiian fusion food!
