Must Try Foods in Hawaii

While traveling is about seeing new places and opening the eyes to many wonderful things that this world brings forth, travel is also about expanding the flavor pallet. Everyone has their own favorite foods, or a list of eat and do not eat...

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I have to admit that from my travels to Hawaii I have been able to find a whole new world of food. Sometimes food just gets old; eating the same thing over and over. A positive aspect of traveling is breaking away from the same old same old. This aids in giving a new taste, a new vision of food. Food has never been my favorite thing. I always hear people talking about how good food is. There are a lot of foods that I enjoy, but there are more foods that I do not enjoy. I am quite picky. From traveling to Hawaii, I have been able to see the variations in cultures and the wonderful flavors that make the staple foods so unique.

The Hawaiian islands seem so small, but they are mighty when it comes to food. There are so many unique 'ma and pa' restaurants to visit. These are the places that are only local, or specific to that area. These produce some of the best food on the islands. I would say that some of the best food I have ever had was from one of these small shops in Hawaii.

• Hawaii

Kailua Pork:
While this is not a specific restaurant, one cannot visit these islands without trying the iconic Kailua Pork. This pork is usually smoked in an imu. This is a pit in the ground that they place the pig into. The pig is wrapped in banana leaves to help it retain moisture when cooking. They have their specific methods to achieve such a dish, but without a doubt it is good. The meat is sweet, but salty all at the same time. Kailua pork is very good with a few of the other staple Hawaiian dishes: lemon chicken, teriyaki beef, and poi.

Mahi Mahi:
Mahi is one of the best fishes I have ever had. While I am not a seafood connoisseur in the slightest, I can for sure say that there is nothing like the taste of fresh mahi. The best mahi I have has on the islands can be purchased at a 'ma and pa' Chinese Restaurant on the island of Kauai called Kauai Garden Island Barbecue and Chinese. This dish is also accompanied by white rice, macaroni salad, and lemon chicken. Both the lemon chicken and the mahi are fried. Together these all create a delicious, flavorful experience that is for sure going to never be forgotten.

​PineapplePineapple is obviously a Hawaiian staple. After all, that is what Hawaii is known for. I am serious, there is nothing like biting into a fresh slice of pineapple on the beach watching the waves roll in. It just adds to the whole experience. Feeling the warm sun beat down on your face while listening to the ocean waves roll in. There is nothing like it. Pineapple cream is also a delicacy over in the islands. Dole whips are delicious. When visiting the island of Kauai make sure to check out the Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple. They make really good (that is an understatement) white pineapple frosties out of 100% pineapple and nothing else.

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There are so many more foods to try on the islands. In a future post I will outline some of my personal favorite restaurants with these specific foods and more. This is a sneak peak into the future. These islands hold a lot of secrets that will for sure have tourists in awe.

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."
-James Beard