At present, we’re beginning a brand new collection of island-specific guides of one of the best meals experiences. We’re designing them as a type of “cheat sheet” of native culinary delights to strive in your Hawaii holidays. Not solely will you get to get pleasure from new meals experiences, you’ll additionally get to know the tradition and help native eating places, farmers and fisherman, too.
One final thing earlier than we get this meals celebration began. There will likely be some very island-specific suggestions, however there will likely be some gadgets Hawaiian meals staples that you simply’ll discover on the opposite Hawaiian Islands, too.
Okay, now let’s get a style for Kauai!
Native-style, Hawaii meals to strive on a Kauai trip
Breakfast meals
Loco Moco – The loco moco is historically manufactured from a mattress of rice, hamburger patty, fried egg and a brown gravy. It’s a hearty breakfast. You would possibly see a loco moco on the breakfast menu at your lodge, if you wish to enterprise out, we advocate the local-style restaurant Kountry Kitchen in Kapaa.
Pancakes – I like pancakes wherever, however Hawaii distinguishes their fashion of pancakes with the tropical flavors and toppings. Coconut, guava, banana and pineapple are some tropical flavors we’ve seen. Our private favorites are macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. Almost certainly your lodge’s restaurant has a fantastic tropical pancake choice. If not, as soon as once more, Kountry Kitchen in Kapa’a serves large, local-style pancakes.
Portuguese sausage – A breakfast meat that you simply’ll usually see on Hawaii menus is Portuguese sausage. This smoked and cured pork sausage if usually a bit spicy. I jogs my memory of chorizo or a thick slice of pepperoni. (Right here’s a brief history of Portuguese sausage in Hawaii.)
Bakery Objects
Malasadas are one other Portuguese affect in Hawaii. They’re rather a lot like crammed doughnuts with a sugared coating. The fillings are sometimes fruit flavored.
Lunch/Snack
Puka Dog is a singular tackle the recent canine with tropical relish and condiment choices. They’re scrumptious! A Puka Dog is a meals merchandise that may solely be present in Kauai.
Kulua pork sandwiches are on many lunch menus throughout the Hawaiian Islands. It’s shredded pork that’s historically cooked in an imu with a delicate smoky taste. You’ll additionally doubtless see Kulua pork as an entree merchandise on a Kauai luau menu.
SPAM Musubi is a very fashionable lunch/snack merchandise for native residents. It’s a slice of SPAM served sushi-style. Imagine it or not, Hawaii’s 7-Eleven stores are well known for their SPAM Musubi.
Poke is vastly well-liked in Hawaii. It’s cubed ahi tuna (uncooked) blended with onion, soy sauce and sesame oil. There are different inventive variations of poke. Search for it as an appetizer or lunch menu merchandise. You’ll doubtless see it bought in grocery shops and we’ve really discovered the grocery retailer variations to be of excellent high quality.
Contemporary tropical fruits – Strive island-grown papaya, pineapple, guava, ardour fruit, bananas (significantly apple bananas.) You’ll doubtless see roadside fruit stands. Moreover, take a look at Kauai’s farmers markets. One in all Kauai’s high markets is the Kauai Community Market held on Saturdays.
Dinner
Contemporary native fish – The scrumptious recent seafood in Hawaii is second to none. Some fish that you simply’ll usually see on Hawaii dinner menus are:
- Ahi (tuna)
- Mahi Mahi
- Ono (wahoo)
- Opakapaka (pink snapper)
- Onaga (long-tail crimson snapper)
- Monchong
- Opah (moonfish)
- Butterfish (black cod) is just not an area fish, however you’ll doubtless see it on menus in Hawaii. The Hawaii-style preparation of butterfish is with miso.
A facet dish that we love is Okinawa candy potatoes. They’ve a beautiful purple colour and are very tasty.
A luau is a stunning presentation of a dinner and a Polynesian dance present. Most luau corporations provide a buffet of native favourite gadgets. Here’s a list of Kauai’s top luau options.
Desserts
Lappert’s Ice Cream acquired its begin in Kauai. Since then, it has expanded.
Hula Pie from Duke’s Kauai is a big, very sharable slice of ice cream pie with scorching fudge sauce.
Shave Ice is one other cool deal with to strive. Shave ice is sort of a snow cone, however with very smooth, finely shaved ice. We don’t have a go-to place for Shave Ice in Kauai, however we’ve heard good issues about Ono Ono Shave Ice in Kapaa and Wishing Properly Shave Ice in Hanalei. If the shave ice place you go to affords an ice cream base and/or sweetened-condensed milk topping, we advocate these choices.
Different gadgets price mentioning
Saimin may be very well-liked in Hawaii. It’s a broth soup with noodles and numerous toppings. It’s usually in comparison with Japanese ramen. There’s a saimin place in Kauai that’s well-known. It’s Hamura Saimin in Lihue. Personally, scorching soup is just not one thing I need when visiting Kauai’s tropical setting, so I can’t converse from expertise about saimin.
Poi is a staple meals within the Hawaiian tradition. It’s steamed taro root that’s pounded down right into a pudding consistency. It may be eaten alone as a facet dish or added to a meal like a condiment. A great place to strive poi it’s at a luau.
Kauai Coffee is a pleasant spot to study rising espresso in Kauai and sampling the domestically grown espresso.
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So, these are some tasty meals to strive in your Kauai trip. Do you could have a favourite Kauai meals that you simply’d advocate to fellow vacationers? Tell us within the feedback.
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If you’re headed to Kauai, ensure and take a look at our Kauai vacation restaurant guide to help you find the best restaurants. In our Kauai restaurant information we emphasize eating places that serve Hawaii-style meals and Hawaii regional cuisine.
