Not a fan of poke? Try these 12 Hawaiian dishes instead: Spam Musubi, Shave Ice, Kalua Pork, Plate Lunch, and more! There’s no need to stay home when you can savor the delicious flavors of the islands right at your own table! Here are a few of our favorite dishes:
Spam Musubi
If you’re looking for something to eat in Hawaii that isn’t “poke,” then consider these Hawaiian food classics. Spam is ubiquitous in Hawaii and is used in almost everything from sandwiches to eggs. A popular snack in Hawaii is the Spam Musubi, which is essentially spam sushi wrapped in seaweed. Spam is often sold individually in Saran wrap, but some places marinate the meat and wrap it in seaweed.
Besides poke, Hawaiian cuisine is bursting with different types of food. Poke, for example, is a raw fish dish often served with white rice, sesame seeds, and shoyu. But there are plenty of other dishes that have a similar flavor and are just as delicious as the famous poke. Here are 12 of our favorites that aren’t poke:
Spam musubi is another island staple. This dish is a convenient breakfast, lunch, or snack for drivers around the islands. For the best Spam Musubi, try them at the famous Cafe Iyasume on Oahu or the Da Kitchen on Maui. Or, if you’re pressed for time, head to your local 7-11. The Hawaiian version of the familiar burger chain is a popular local convenience store snack.
Shave Ice
You’ve probably heard of poke, but you may not be aware of other Hawaiian food. While poké has gained popularity in the mainland, many people in Hawaii feel that appropriation is the real issue here. While this is a valid point, we think that poké should be kept true to its origins. So, what are some other Hawaiian foods we should try? https://stevehacks.tumblr.com/
Shave ice is another delicious local food that is part of Hawaii’s farm-to-table movement. Made from finely shaved ice, it is topped with house-made syrup and local fruits. Shave ice is a delicious way to recapture Hawaii’s history as a sweet treat. The original form of shave ice was brought to Hawaii by Japanese laborers working on plantations. These laborers would use machetes to finely shave ice from huge blocks of ice, and then pour fruit juice over the fluffy ice.
Poke has grown into a staple on the mainland, but the island is home to so much more. The traditional raw fish salad is more than just a dish. It’s a lifestyle and a way of life. Poke can be enjoyed anywhere from birthday parties to a casual beach picnic. While the Hawaiian version is arguably the most famous, it is also one of the most delicious. It’s not just raw fish and sesame oil that makes Hawaiian cuisine so unique. You can find poke bowls at any restaurant or cafe on the island.
Kalua Pork
Kalua Pork is the centerpiece of any luau and is one of the most traditional dishes on the island. The whole pig is cooked slowly in an underground oven using hot rocks, which give the pork its distinctive flavor. The resulting dish is fatty, fall-apart pork that is a staple of Hawaiian food. We love this dish because it’s so simple to prepare, yet delicious enough to be a stand-alone meal.
Although kalua pork is difficult to find prepared in an imu, you can find many versions of it served in restaurants throughout the island. The pork is seasoned with red salt and Hawaiian salt, and then steamed for six to eight hours. When it’s done, the various food items are removed and served with juices. This is a wonderful way to try local Hawaiian food.
While many people associate pineapple with Hawaiian food, there are many other traditional Hawaiian dishes that are just as delicious and authentic. Unlike poke, which is prepared by poaching fish in a broth, kalua pork is slow-cooked until the meat is completely tender. A typical plate of kalua pork includes rice, vegetables, and pork. We also love to order chicken long rice, which is noodle-like rice with stewed chicken. https://yarabook.com/stevehacks
Plate Lunch
While poke may be the most popular food in Hawaii, there are a few other dishes worth mentioning. Saimin, which derives its name from the Chinese word for “thin noodles,” is a Hawaiian classic. This dish combines noodles and a variety of vegetables in a clear chicken broth. Saimin first appeared in Hawaii’s plantation camps, where Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino workers traded ingredients. Today, saimin is a common convenience store snack in Hawaii. The ingredients are simple, but the flavors are exotic. Saimin is a great choice for lunch, and it can be found on most island menus, including McDonald’s.
The Big Island is home to a diverse population of Hawaiians, which makes it difficult to define “Hawaiian” food. It’s hard to find a true definition of the Hawaiian diet, and what is sold in Hawaii in the continental United States has little to do with what the Ancient Hawaiians ate. But what is the Hawaiian diet, anyway? It’s not what we’ve heard. In fact, the Ancient Hawaiians’ diet was considered to be one of the healthiest in the world. However, the modern Hawaiian culture embellishes this traditional diet with foods from different cultures.
Loco Moco
Those who aren’t a fan of poke should head to Hawaii for a taste of traditional island food. Hawaiian food is not limited to raw fish, however. There are many other delicious foods you can enjoy, including pork and beef. Here are 12 of our favorites, minus the poke. Located on the North Shore of Oahu, shrimp trucks are a local institution. Served with white rice and served with gravy, these dishes make for a filling plate lunch.
Loco Moco is a traditional island dish that was originally created in 1949 on the Big Island to provide cheap, quick meals for hungry teenagers. The dish consists of white rice, a hamburger patty, an egg, and gravy. This dish represents Hawaiian cultural diversity, incorporating western and eastern flavors into one. Loco moco is popular with locals and tourists alike, and is a good side dish to a plate lunch.
Haupia Pie
You’ve probably heard of poke, but what about the other delicious options? Poke has become so popular that it’s practically synonymous with Hawaiian cuisine. While the dish is made from raw fish seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil, there’s so much more to Hawaiian cuisine than that. In addition to the seafood, Hawaiian cuisine features plant life such as limu kohu and canoe plants. There are many varieties of poke, as well as recipes that utilize ancient Hawaii cooking methods.
You can try teriyaki chicken, which is marinated in pineapple juice and soy sauce. You can also find teriyaki chicken in Hawaii, which is delicious served over rice. Try it as part of a plate lunch or a snack with chips. If you’re traveling to Hawaii, be sure to try this delicious treat! The shrimp trucks that are featured in the television show Hawaii Five-0 are an institution on the North Shore of Oahu. You can try them by asking the shrimp truck owners for directions.
Manapua
Manapua is a delicious, portable food that resembles Chinese bao. It is a pillowy white bun filled with sweet char siu pork. Chinese immigrants brought this delicacy to Hawaii during the late 19th century. Manapua can be steamed or baked and is a great snack, but is also good for a full meal.
You’ll find manapua at most local bakeries, but locals have their own favorites. We recommend checking out the Island Manapua Factory, but Libby’s Manapua Shop, Chun Wah Kam, and Royal Kitchen. You’ll also be able to find these tasty treats at countless specialty shops and restaurants throughout the islands.
Manapua originally originated in China, where it is called cha siu bao. It has been made in Hawaii since the 19th century and has been a popular treat for locals. Manapua is a steamed bun with a savory filling inside. Typically the filling is seasoned pork. This food is a great treat to try on vacation, so make sure to order some for yourself!
Saimin
Known as “mixed plate” food in Hawaiian, saimin is an Asian-influenced dish that comes from the islands. It is a dashi-based soup that is served with springy wheat noodles, pork dumplings, green onions, and spam. Because of its multi-ethnic heritage, saimin is often served at Aloha Stadium.
While there are dedicated saimin restaurants throughout the islands, quick-cooking frozen saimin is a staple of most local families. In fact, saimin is so widely available that you can find it at any fast-food restaurant and diner. At McDonald’s, saimin is even available with char siu. The original saimin is a thin sheet of dried seaweed, and it has become one of the island’s most popular foods.
There’s nothing more comforting in Hawaii than a bowl of saimin. You can find this dish in a strip mall on Oahu, where they even make their own noodles. If you’re looking for a local Hawaiian food that’s not poke, consider the Saimin at Shige’s Saimin Stand. You’ll be glad you did!
