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Favorite Hawaiian Foods


Beachbabe2

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Me again............

DH & I are wondering what your favorite Hawaiian food(s) is and where you have found it to be the best?? Never having been, we would love to experience the food and culture from people in the know. We also LOVE being off the beaten "tourist" path. So anyone with a favorite spot that's not on the "itenerary" we would love to hear from you as well.

ONE MONTH........ONE DAY !!! HOOORAY !!!!

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High-brow:

Alan Wong's -- downtown Honolulu

Roy's -- on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii (also in many major cities on the mainland)

Sam Choy's -- on Oahu

 

The common thread among these places is "fusion" cooking...taking local ingredients and applying unique cooking techniques. Sorry, can't describe it better, as I don't cook (but love the local Hawaiian cuisine). Hawaii is quite the foodie paradise, and I've never had a bad meal.

 

Low-brow:

L&L Hawaiian barbeque -- most islands, but I frequent that one in the SF Bay area

Zippy's -- Oahu only, I think.

 

Google any of these places so you can check out their menus, locations, etc.

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Kona coffee and Macadamina nuts. Kona coffee is expensive, but smooth. I brought back many pounds of coffee grounds (freshly roasted and packed the day I picked up)

 

Some like Kau (just south of Kona) coffee, as it has a slightly heavier taste than kona coffee.

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Malasads from Leonards Bakery on Oahu.

 

 

Love this place!

 

Also, in China Town, try a produce market that sells Durian. The fruit tastes like heavenly custard. Have them cut it and scoop out the flesh. Beware, though of the odor.

 

 

In Southeast Asia the durian is said to be "king of fruits" but when you sit down to try it for the first time you might be tempted to call it the "king of foul odors." Spiky on the outside the inside of the durian is a soft consistency and has the odor of rank cheese. The smell of this fruit is so bad that hotels in Southeast Asia do not let guests bring them inside. Even unopened durians smell like decomposing zebras. To be fair, (a Roadjunky first), it is said that once you acquire the taste for durian the eating experience is divine. Papaya, too, tastes like it was fomenting in a septic tank the first time you try it. It is even said that durian contains psychoactive chemicals, like chocolate, that make the fruit addictive to people who indulge.

 

Photocruiser

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Malasads from Leonards Bakery on Oahu.

 

 

Malasadas are the best!!

 

Definitely try the ono (it's yummy) and a Puka dog (if on Kauai in the Poipu area). Sam Choy's is one of our favorites and a great place to take our friends from the mainland--not too touristy. Zippy's is definitely local, but it's the Hawaiian version of Denny's in my opinion!!

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Love this place!

 

Also, in China Town, try a produce market that sells Durian. The fruit tastes like heavenly custard. Have them cut it and scoop out the flesh. Beware, though of the odor.

 

 

In Southeast Asia the durian is said to be "king of fruits" but when you sit down to try it for the first time you might be tempted to call it the "king of foul odors." Spiky on the outside the inside of the durian is a soft consistency and has the odor of rank cheese. The smell of this fruit is so bad that hotels in Southeast Asia do not let guests bring them inside. Even unopened durians smell like decomposing zebras. To be fair, (a Roadjunky first), it is said that once you acquire the taste for durian the eating experience is divine. Papaya, too, tastes like it was fomenting in a septic tank the first time you try it. It is even said that durian contains psychoactive chemicals, like chocolate, that make the fruit addictive to people who indulge.

 

Photocruiser

 

 

The durian fruit

 

 

durian.jpg

 

Photocruiser

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  • 2 weeks later...

Alan Wong's, Roy's & Sam Choy's are classy restaurants on Oahu (over $20 per person). If you want what the kamaainas (local people) eat on a day to day basis, I'd go to Ono Hawaiian Food (726 Kapahulu Avenue), Yama's Fish Market (2332 Young Street), or Young's (Fish Market 1286 Kalani Street) for excellent Hawaiian food. Hawaii is also known for their plate lunches. Visit Da Kitchen in Kahului,Maui, or Rainbows Drive (Kapahulu Avenue) in on Oahu. An average plate lunch is about $5-$7.

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The Waterfront in Maalaea Harbor for the best fresh catch on the island (sorry Mama's lovers)

 

Alexander's Fish and Chips (one in Kihei and one in Lahaina) - great ono and fries and CHEAP

 

For the best local grinds (plate lunch), eat at Da Kitchen (in Kihei and Kahului)

 

If you're in Upcountry, try the Haliimaile General Store

 

Breakfast favorite is - oh my god -- the banana-macadamia nut pancakes which are to DIE for at the Big Wave Cafe in Kihei

 

OH yeah, and don't forget anywhere in the islands - Laperte's for ice cream!!

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Cheeseburger in Paradise - we had a cheeseburger with pineapple on it that was soooo good. And the coconut shrimp is good.

 

Brick Oven Pizza - this is in Kauai and the Hawaiian pizza is really yummy.

 

I forget where I had this but the macadamia nut and coconut crusted mahi mahi was really good!

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A few years ago, we attended a series of culinary workshops and one taught us how to use Spam in sushi...haven't had many requests for it though.

 

For several years, the only place to get strawberry papaya was in the islands and have you noticed that the pineapple always tastes better there? Taht's because they use juice pineapples - we can't ge them mainland on a regular basis, but if you can find the smallish pineapples, try one out. They are like paradise on earth.

 

Charlie

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