One of the most exciting things about taking a trip to Hawaii by far is its selection of delicious locally sourced foods. Hawaii is a beautiful, thriving tropical island, which makes it the perfect destination for growing a number of exotic and unique specialities that you’re unlikely to find back at home. Having a good idea of what some of these foods are in advance will help you to really make the most out of your visit.
If you’re a massive foodie, there are certain local delicacies in Hawaii that you just have to try. Make sure to add the foods below to your “foods to taste” bucket list – we promise you won’t regret it!
Poke
You’ve never had a real poke bowl before unless you’ve had it in Hawaii. Hawaii is known for its fresh, diverse range of seafood, and what better way to enjoy it than in one of its famous poke bowls? Marinate in your favourite sauce or dressing, add rice or noodles, and enjoy with whatever vegetables and seafood combos take your fancy. You’ll see a lot of ahi poke, made from yellowfin tuna, in Hawaii, so that’s definitely one to try out if you’re a seafood fan.
Manapua
Manapua is a traditional Hawaiian bun, soft and pillowy in texture, that can be steamed or baked. You can fill the bun with whatever you fancy, although if you’re trying them at a restaurant, you’ll usually find they contain either chicken or beans. Manapua might not look too special from the outside, but trust us when we say once you’ve tried them once, you’ll find you’re well and truly addicted. Expect to clear a substantial space in your suitcase to bring them home for all your friends to try.
Macadamia nuts
One of the tastiest and most available on-the-go snacks in Hawaii are macadamia nuts. Interestingly for us history geeks, Hawaii was actually the location of the world’s first commercial macadamia nut farm, so you can guarantee that the islanders know a thing or to about harvesting the nuts to their full tasting potential. You can find macadamia nuts in most supermarkets and outdoor food stands in Hawaii – and look out for the fresh, seasoned nuts, because they’re hands-down the best you’re going to get.
Seasonal fruits and veggies
Contrary to the stereotype, you’ll find far more than pineapple in Hawaii. Depending on the season you’re visiting in, if you stop by at a farmer’s market, you can expect to find all number of tropical fruits and veggies, from avocados and hearts of palm to oranges, papayas, rambutans, summer squash, taro… and so much more. If you like trying out exotic fruit and veg, you’ll find plenty of choice in Hawaii, and because it’s all locally grown, it’ll taste better than anything you might be able to get back at home.
Kona coffee
Coffee lovers, here’s something that’ll sound like music to your ears: Hawaii is famous for its incredible locally sourced coffee. Because of its volcanic soil, Hawaii’s lands for growing are far more fertile, and the weather is perfect for growing coffee beans, too – with sunny mornings and the occasional afternoon rain shower, you’ve got the ideal irrigation system without having to outsource. You’ll find the best local coffee being served in the cafes and coffee shops, but some stores should sell bags of fresh, local stuff that you can take home with you if you decide you’re addicted (and trust us, you will).
Mai Tai
We couldn’t have made this list without including one of Hawaii’s most famed cocktails, the Mai Tai. The ingredient that gives the Mai Tai its alcoholic kick, rum, is sourced locally from the Hawaiian Islands. The rum is usually made from pure sugar cane juice – which is grown in Hawaiian soil – and can be fashioned into a number of different varieties, including white, coconut and gold rum. It’s definitely worth trying out a Mai Tai or two in Hawaii, and if you fancy making your own at home, you can always take a bottle of rum back on the plane with you.
Shaved ice
It’s one of the most traditional summer foods in Hawaii, and although it might not blow your socks off, shaved ice simply has to go on your bucket list of must taste foods in Hawaii. Shaved ice is exactly how it sounds: a dessert made from shaving ice and flavouring with sweetened syrups and ice cream. Eating a bowl of shaved ice might not take you right back to the very roots of Hawaii’s locally sourced foods, but it’s still a staple Hawaiian dish that’s really worth a try on a hot day for an immediate refresh.
Chocolate
Just as the fertile lands of Hawaii are the perfect location for growing coffee beans, they’re also ideal for cultivating cacao. You’ll find original Hawaiian chocolate growing on the slopes of the Hawaiian mountains, where the terrain offers the best location for the weather to do its work. Hawaii has its own chocolate factory, and you won’t have to look hard to find Hawaiian chocolate being sold at stores all across the islands. Now this is one worth saving space in your suitcase for!
A Word Of Caution
Hawaii’s foods are incredible, there’s no denying that, but before you go purchasing a whole new suitcase to fill solely with food, check the rules for taking foods out of the country back to wherever you’re flying to.
Generally, you’ll be fine to bring back cooked food, packaged food, and alcohol. When it comes to fruit and veg, you’ll struggle a lot more, as you can’t take plants or cuttings of fruits and vegetables except for pineapple and potato. You can usually take Kona coffee back to your state, and smaller bottles of alcohol. As we’ve said, it’s worth checking with your airline before you buy – it’s better to be safe than sorry.