Aloha Spirit: Hawaii Food Tour
It's impossible not to land in Hawaii and have your mood change. what of aloha spirit it's catchy. They contribute to generate 20 or 25 degrees of permanent temperature , the turquoise water beaches, the calm rhythm of the Hawaiians and that ukulele based music that invades everything. Its food alone could be more than enough reason to visit these islands. But we also know that surf lesson, jungle hike and mystery book reading on the beach, I usually get pretty hungry. We tell you what to satisfy her like any other islander.
LU'AU FOOD
It is the most typical food of the islands. Most hotels offer outdoor lu'au parties where to taste it, enlivening it with music and hula. But if you prefer to avoid events designed specifically for tourists, you can still enjoy the most authentic Hawaiian food in restaurants that are also frequented by natives (and are usually considerably cheaper).
In Honolulu, in the island of oahu , Helena's Hawaiian Food is an essential stop where you can taste lu'au cuisine classics such as:
Kalua pig: unthreaded pig that has been cooked in an underground oven. It has a very strong and characteristic flavor.
Lomi salmon: Raw salmon salad with tomatoes and onion.
haupia: coconut flan that is not excessively sweet and that is eaten with savory dishes and not with dessert.
The master of Hawaiian cuisine: Helena
Poi: thick purple sauce made from taro, a vegetable similar to spinach and very typical in Polynesian cuisine. The poi does not stop looking like a kind of lilac mucus and we admit that it can be defined as a “acquired taste” (It is difficult to like it at first). But you have to try it anyway and dare to dip some of the other foods you are tasting in this sauce.
Squid lu'au or chicken lu'au Pairing: Squid or chicken cooked in coconut milk and taro leaves. It is a very delicate and delicious stew.
Laulau: Beef, fish and especially pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed.
Also in Honolulu Ono Hawaiian Foods is another classic of Hawaiian food, so much so that the lines for dinner are usually very long and they don't even accept credit card payments.
Aloha Mixed Plate by Lahaina , on the island of Maui, serves a tasting combo platter with most of these “ tapas” for only 17 dollars and the bonus of being able to dip your food in poi sitting on a terrace overlooking a crystal clear beach. And you know that everything always tastes better with the ocean in the background.
Poi, thick sauce a bit slimy... you have to try it
MORE PORK
It can be hard to understand Hawaiians' devotion to the spam , a preparation based on cooked ham, sugar, salt, water and potato starch devised during the Great American Depression to feed families with a cheap source of protein. If things don't sound too appealing at the moment, try imagining this meat cut and cooked in teriyaki sauce, accompanied by sushi rice and wrapped with a little nori. they call it spam musubi and owes its origin to the great Japanese influence in the area. Try it for less than two dollars a piece at Musubi & Bento ISAYUME in Honolulu.
MACADAMIA NUTS
Another of the completely justified obsessions of the islands is this dried fruit. It is best to abuse macadamia nuts as much as possible. For this, nothing like a breakfast based on pancakes or pancakes bathed in macadamia sauce. Essential those of Boot's and Kimo's on Oahu or those of The Gazebo in Maui. The wait for both is usually long but worth it.
A 'grocer' on Oahu
And, for a great souvenir, head to one of the ubiquitous ABC stores, where you can also shop for anything else you'll need during your visit: from sunscreen to tacky fridge magnets to a pair of sandals. Pick up a few boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts from Mauna Loa . You'll only regret not buying more.
FRESH FISH
If it weren't for the many ways to eat pork in Hawaii, you could survive on these islands solely on protein from native fish. If you are in authentic surfer plan in the North Shore of Oahu , we recommend that you finish the day in Grass Skirt Grill with one of their fish burgers of the day, which can be ono (peto, from the tuna family), over there (another type of tuna), mahi mahi (gold) or hebi (resembling the emperor) .
On both the island of Oahu and Maui, Monkeypod is a must stop, where they advocate traditional fusion cuisine with ingredients from organic farming and kilometer zero. Their mahimahi with macadamia nuts and panko-type breadcrumbs melt in your mouth. Just like his poke based on ahi and tako (octopus).
Chicken with pineapple, AKA huli huli
Just to be able to savor more varieties of poke, a raw fish salad seasoned with oil and sesame seeds, the island of Kauai and its simple, cheap but full of charm (and natives) are already worth a visit. Koloa Fish Market.
And for **octopus addicts, we recommend a visit to Honu ** in Lahaina, where they serve it with a hummus made from edamame beans. A complete alternative to octopus a feira.
Tuna salads, one of the king fish of Hawaiian waters
HAWAIIAN IDIOSYNCRASIES
For the Spaniards, the words loco moco have a fun meaning, but far from evoking anything edible. In Hawaii the issue is different. Here is a combined dish based on rice, beef patty, fried eggs and gravy sauce. At the Lani's Loco Moco food truck at the Pau Hana Outdoor Market in Honolulu, they offer slightly more sophisticated versions of this classic with steak or kalua pork and fried rice.
If we were citing poke as justification for visiting Kauai, we have another: Deli & Bread Connection Bakery. Thanks to them and their delicious T.O.P.S.S. we discovered that alfalfa sprouts are a must-have ingredient for turkey and cheese sandwiches. Plus the sourdough bread they use is up there with San Francisco.
Another memorable bakery, and completely away from the most touristic corners, is the simply named The Bakery, in Lahaina. Finding her is no easy feat, but her lilac taro rolls are worth the search. Also their malasadas, a donut of Portuguese origin covered in icing sugar.
If you are not yet cloying with sweets, perhaps you will dare with shave ice, a kind of ice granita that is shaped into a sphere and syrups of different colors and flavors are added. In the North Shore of Oahu queuing at Matsumoto's is a must. Opt for one of the most popular syrup flavors such as pineapple, coconut, lychee or lilikoi (passion fruit).
*** You may also be interested in...**
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- Gastronomic roadtrip through the United States (Second part)
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- Descendants of Hawaii
- Hawaiian Recipes for a Beach Party
Hawaiian ice cream