Few experiences can trigger memories as vividly as the aromas and flavors of meals enjoyed in the past. Hawaiian cuisine, influenced by various immigrant cultures, features distinctive combinations of unique tastes. When traveling in Hawaii, whether exploring different islands or enjoying a relaxing weekend in Waikiki, be sure to indulge in these remarkable dishes.

Kalua Pork

Another icon of the luau: the underground roasted whole pig. Many cultures use the underground oven (“imu” in Hawaiian) cooking technique along with celebratory feasts incorporating the dramatic unearthing from the oven as part of the ceremony. The meat that is cooked in an imu will absorb the flavors of the elements used in the pit: mesquite or koa wood, banana and/or ti leaves, as well as the surrounding soil, creating a unique final result. Once removed from the imu, the pork meat is shredded, allowing the juices and fat to mix in for the utmost moisture. Enjoy a hearty helping at the Old Lahaina Lu’au or as a pupu (appetizer) in Merriman’s Kapalua Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, both found on Maui.

Lomi Salmon

This salad is both refreshing and rich, featuring roughly diced raw, salted salmon combined with tomatoes and Maui sweet onions, and seasoned with chili peppers. While this recipe can be easily prepared at home, it won’t replicate the remarkably fresh taste found on the islands. Be sure to leave space on your plate for it at the luau buffet.

Huli Huli Chicken

Hawaiians excel at grilling chicken. A sweet glaze of huli huli sauce draws the grill flames, creating a tender char that keeps you craving more. This vibrant condiment combines soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, resulting in a unique dish reminiscent of teriyaki. It’s a favorite dinner option at Duke’s Waikiki at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu.

Spam Musubi

Spam Musubi is an incredibly simple bite made from just a handful of ingredients. It consists of rice seasoned with furikaki (a common spice in Japanese cooking), shaped into a block, topped with a slice of fried Spam, and wrapped snugly in a sheet of dried nori. This dish can serve as both a snack and a full meal, making it one of the easiest Hawaiian delicacies to find on the islands. Though it might look like an exquisite piece of sushi, Spam Musubi is readily available at most convenience stores for a quick grab-and-go option. For those interested in sampling various versions of this classic and enjoying a food festival, attending the annual Spam Jam in Honolulu is highly recommended.

Loco Moco

Another simple local dish found in cafés and food trucks, yet adaptable by chefs in various ways—the classic consists of a plate of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and a drizzle of brown gravy. It embodies homestyle comfort food, perfect for any time of day, especially as a remedy for a hangover. When on the Big Island, you must visit the “Home of the Loco Moco.” For more than 50 years, Café 100 in Hilo has been serving this dish and now offers over 30 loco variations.

Poke Bowl

Pronounced “poh-kay,” it’s raw, diced ahi tuna seasoned with salty soy sauce and tossed with finely chopped seaweed, usually layered in a bowl with rice and finished with additions of cubed avocado and mixed with a spicy mayo, or sprinkled with sesame seeds. You’ll find it served up at delis, in the prepared food aisle of grocery stores, and scooped handily at food trucks. Known for its freshness (which is key), Umekes Fish Market Bar and Grill, with two locations in Kailua-Kona, serves it up perfectly.

A Classic Umbrella Drink

So, we give you the Mai Tai. Sipping a Mai Tai at a beachfront café at sunset while the ukulele player strums a soothing melody – a Hawaiian Vacation Win. For years to come you will be brought back to the islands whenever your taste buds spike to the tartness of fresh tropical fruit juices combined with the warm spiciness of the caramel rich rum. Every mixologist in the islands puts their stamp on a personal version of a “Mai Tai” with subtle twists, but for sipping with an iconic view of Diamond Head in a legendary spot, we send you confidently to the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar on Waikiki.

Now that your mouth is watering, it’s time to plan your own Hawaiian vacation and food journey. Contact your travel agent today.