Hawaiian Foods You Must Try in Hawaii
Whether it is your first time to Hawaii, or you are an annual visitor, there are few other places in the world where you can feel welcomed and at home wherever you go. When visiting with locals, bring your appetite, because they love to feed their guests!
We are fortunate enough to be hosted by my uncle and aunt for most of our stay in a typical Hawaiian home in Punaluu. My Uncle is of Hawaiian origin, and he is always very welcoming and very happy to cook us a meal! After spending plenty of time with them, I have come up with the best Hawaiian foods to try in Hawaii.
If you do not have the opportunity to have someone shopping and cooking for you, check out how to eat for cheap in Hawaii!
Because of its position in the Pacific Ocean, the cuisine you will find in Hawaii is a fusion of culinary influences that come from traditional Hawaiian dishes, as well as Asian and North American cuisine. You will find American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Polynesian, and Portuguese influences.
Eating in Hawaii can get expensive, if you are on a budget, check out how to see Hawaii on a budget.
And no, don’t expect to find Ham and Pineapple Pizza in abundance or Pineapple fields all over the islands. Hawaii actually grows very few pineapples today. For your time on this Big Island, check out this 4 day itinerary.
Here are some Hawaiian foods you must try in Hawaii.
Have you tried any of these? What were your favorites? After you have finished snacking, consider picking up some of the best Hawaiian souvenirs!
More Great Hawaiian Resources:
–The Best time to Visit Hawaii. Comparisons for each season
–Quotes about Hawaii for Instagram captions!
– The Best things to do in Oahu with Toddlers and Preschoolers
– Are you celiac? check out The Best Gluten free Island in Hawaii
– Heading to Maui? Check out this 5 Day Maui Itinerary
– Check out this post for Cheap Eats in Hawaii before your next trip!
– Honeymooning in Hawaii, Three Week Island Hopping Itinerary
– If you are planning on visiting Maui with kids, I suggest you read this post on the very best things to do in Maui with kids.
Have you ever traveled to Hawaii? What was your favorite typical Hawaiian dish! let me know in the comments!
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Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have young children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.
Lisa P says
No one does Shave Ice like Hawaii!!! The kids loved it!
Charles McCool says
I love Hawaiian food. Fresh fruit everywhere. Poke, shave ice, malasadas. Mmmmmmm.
Theresa says
Great list! Love shave ice, I commented on your facebook page about a recommendation on Maui. 🙂
Tom Kowal says
All tasty, especially the Kalua pig!
noel says
All my favorite foods from the Big Island, but you missed those yummy malasadas too, the best in Na-alehu at Punalu’u bakery where your uncle lives.
Rosemary says
Never had the food from Hawaii, so I’m definitively intrigued. The poke looks great and the mochi ice cream is my fav. Haven’t been to Hawaii in ages, this makes me want to go back again and visit soon 🙂
Sabrina Barbante says
I’m so sure I want to try them all! Thankk you for sharing
Hugo says
I’ve never tried any of these. Curious to find out how the Portuguese influenced some Hawaiian food. We (Portuguese) seem to be everywhere!
Kathrin says
Delicious! Never been to Hawaii but I’ll make sure to eat some of the things you mentioned when I have the chance to visit 🙂
Alice Teacake says
How lucky that you have an uncle there already to go and stay with 🙂 Can’t believe they eat all that spam though >< Want to like it and all being a British lady but urgh. No thank you haha.
Christopher says
I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, some of those desserts look delicious.
Jackie says
That shave ice and the papaya look like something I’d be eating a lot of for sure! So interesting about Spam. Why is it so beloved in Hawaii?
Carmen says
That Shave Ice and pineapple ice cream both look so refreshing!
Wandering Carol says
I spent two months in Hawaii and have to confess I didn’t try any of these foods … er, except Spam. I’ve definitely tried that. Okay, and papaya. But definitely not taro bread. Yum.
Robson Cadore says
Didnt make toHawaii yet. And admit that apart from the fruits I don’t know much about Hawaiian food.
The Kalua pig looks delicious! And usually those canned juices are full of sugar all around the world!
Megan says
I’m saving this for a trip I have coming up to Maui. Love Dole Whip from a trip before. Want to try a few of these at least.
Monika says
It seems that you ate lots of ice-cream – they look delicious and I guess I would go for ice-cream as well, especially those pinapple ones 🙂
Matt says
A great list!