Top 5 Tastiest Hawaiian Fusion Foods

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, is a heaven for foodies.

Influenced by so many different countries, each bringing their cuisine, Hawaii has developed and perfected flavors that are signature to the islands.

Although you can still find plenty of traditional Hawaiian food (similar to Polynesian food), many of the fusion Asian-inspired dishes are the most popular.

Here are five incredible fusion eats in Hawaii that you shouldn't miss!

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.

Some of the most popular choices include teriyaki chicken, chicken katsu, or fried mahi-mahi.

The meats are often Asian Japanese influenced, while the addition of 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 eaten pressed between two buns, you have the opportunity to 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 that are mixed with onions and seasonings, pour an abundance of beefy brown gravy on top.

You've got a comforting Hawaiian fusion loco moco.

4. Manapua

Chinese steamed buns known as baozi are what Hawaiian manupua originally stemmed from.

While you can easily find authentic Chinese steamed buns 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 crazy as a Filipino halo halo, yet it's not 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 like 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 truly a melting pot 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!