Experience of Food in Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the world’s preferred vacation spot. With an almost unceasing summer through the year, people from different walks of life from different countries come and go to experience the pristine waters as well as stunning views. Along with this great land mass is the dining experience that will not be experienced in other parts of the planet. It’s not just the ambiance but the food through the years have evolved from simple island flavors to exquisite dining that will give the experience not just of American food but the food of the world. Hawaii is not just the destination for great vacation it’s also a destination for a superb dining experience.
The Evolution of Food in Hawaii
Hawaii’s expertise in food didn’t come in a silver platter. Decades ago, food in Hawaii mostly consists of packed food that was shipped from the mainland USA or from the fruits that grew in the islands. Although there are a variety of fruits that grew in Hawaii, pineapple was the major fruit in the island and may be the only fruit that could be enjoyed. You could either have pineapple or frozen products that come from mainland which is usually frozen pizza.
But that situation didn’t last long when Hawaii become the destination for tourists. Little by little, different ingredients have been grown in the island to ensure freshness and cuisines from countries in the orient started to grow in popularity. Cuisines from the Philippines, Japan, Korea and other oriental countries started to coming in. The weather conditions of Hawaii have been perfect in growing ingredients for cuisines from oriental countries. Fish-based meals became widely popular. But these cuisines weren’t just a copy of meals of the orient and other countries, Hawaiians diversified and started creating their own meals. The identity of Hawaii in terms of food is not anymore based on pineapple only but an orchestrated interaction of different herbs and spices and other ingredients. For tourists, the names of the meals could be a little bit odd but no matter what the name is, the taste is always a delight.
Taro – It’s not Hawaii Without it
Hawaii has transformed their meals because of the influx and influence of different countries. But their staple food has not changed. Taro has been the staple food in Hawaii and will continue to stay that way. Hawaiian traditional meal will always have Taro and will never be the same without it. Taro or Kalo in Hawaii has been cultivated in different parts of Hawaii and because of the weather condition of the islands, Taro grows all year long.
Taro could be part of the vegetable meal since its leaves and the corm (the fruit in roots) could be prepared easily. The taste of Taro for those who have not experienced it as a staple food may be uneventful but Taro’s significance in Hawaiian meals is basically not because of its taste but because of its availability. But the experience of simple Taro has changed significantly because of integration with different culture. Taro is not only found in Hawaii. Other countries, especially in Eastern Asia region, also grow Taro. Although they are not considered as staple food, they do have significant roles in most meals.
Genuinely Local
If you want to experience authentic Hawaiian meals, never go to expensive restaurants. Instead, visit local diners and try some of their street foods. A very popular Hawaii meal is called the plate lunch. It’s a meal on paper plate that consists of fried fish covered with starch, a little bit of meat with teriyaki sauce, a little bit of salad and gravy. It looks really simple but the taste is just amazing. The combination of gravy and teriyaki is surprisingly good that you’ll want more. Another popular food from food carts are mashed Taro corm. It’s purple, which should not surprise you since it’s the natural color of Taro corm. It looks really simple but it tastes great. It’s not mashed potato because it tastes sweeter. Also, never miss the roasted pig when you’re in the island.
The beaches in Hawaii are full of coconuts and it’s not a mistake that coconuts are popular in Hawaii. From the flesh to the water, coconuts are popular with not only for the tourists but also for the locals. In fact, coconuts or Haupia in local Hawaiian language is found almost everywhere. There’s coconut based gelatin, pudding and even donuts with coconut filling. You can also buy coconut in different forms. You can have coconut milk fresh, from a can or even powdered.
If you’re a weight watcher, then you should control your Hawaiian meal. Most cuisines in Hawaii are high in calories. Also expect foods with high content of starch.
But don’t be left out of cuisines from other countries. Chinese, Japanese and European meals are also available in different restaurants. Authentic Chinese meals could be obtained in Chinatown located in the Big Island.
Any whim that you want, Hawaii will always have something for you.
Experience Dining Only Hawaii Could Offer
The food that you’ll find in the island could be easily understood through the surroundings of Hawaii. Because Hawaii is collection an island, fish based cuisines should be expected. Don’t be afraid if you have to eat a fish with a name that you haven’t heard of (mahi mahi, ahi, opakapaka and others) as they all taste great. Hawaii is also a tropical island with a good variety of fruits. For a vegetarian, most meals may not be appealing but the variety of fruits in the island is just simply astounding.
But the culmination of the dining experience in Hawaii is the luau. The luau is a Hawaiian tradition as a tribute to life. It’s a celebration with great Hawaiian music with great food. If you’re looking for a smorgasbord of authentic Hawaiian cuisine, never miss a luau. Most special celebrations of the locals in Hawaii are done with a luau.
The tradition of Luau is a little bit different from those offered by hotels. A traditional luau could last for days as every step, even the digging of the hole where the food will be cooked, is part of the ceremony. But even it was shortened to a few hours, the essence of a luau is still there – friendship, life and of course great meal will always be there.
Hawaiian food has a gone a long way as countries have greatly influenced the food prepared in the islands. The state is basically a melting pot of cuisines from different countries. The Hawaiians have learned a lot from different cuisine and now a meal in Hawaii is not just a simple cure for the hunger but a gastronomic delight.
Hawaiian Recipes:
