5 Foods You Have to Try in Hawaii

Hawaii has long been known as the place to go for soft beaches, surf breaks and tiki drinks.

When it came to local food though—with the possible exception of a pig roast at the hotel luau—many travelers leave the islands without so much as sniffing true Hawaiian cuisine.

That’s all changing now: Much like its volcanoes, Hawaiian food has caught fire around the world.

Looking to sample some on your next Blue Sky Tour of Hawaii? Here are five you definitely don’t want to miss:

Poke

It is probably best to start with the food that is currently infatuating the planet's foodies.

At its core, poke (pronounced poh-kay) is a salad made of raw fish, oils, seaweed and seasonings. Ahi tuna and octopus are two of the most popular fish varieties you'll find in your poke, with some of the most commonly spotted accompaniments being sesame oil, local onions and avocado.

While trendy poke places have seemingly sprouted up everywhere on the mainland, when in Hawaii, you should make like the locals and get yours in a plastic container from the “poke counter” at the local supermarket, then have a picnic.

Don’t worry, it will be picnic weather.

Saimin

The Hawaiian islands answer to ramen, this comforting noodle soup keeps locals warm on that occasional chilly day. Saimin starts with a seafood-based broth and oodles of fresh noodles before being finished with green onions and ham—with some restaurants opting for a slice of love-it-or-hate-it SPAM.

While you will find saimin being served up everywhere from fast food joints to shopping malls, the best bowls tend to be found in small, family-run establishments.

READ MORE: Discover the South Pacific with Blue Sky Tours

Poi

I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Poi can be a divisive dish. Most Hawaiians hold it in high regard, but outsiders can be a bit perplexed by its appeal.

Part of that disconnect must have to do with its color, as poi takes on a unique purple-gray hue. It is made by pulverizing the native taro root into a paste using a large pestle-like tool.

And if you can get past the appearance, you will find poi a pleasure. Some locals even wait a few days to eat it as the sour notes it picks up are said to enhance the experience.

Manapua

There are few things better than a sticky-sweet pork-filled bun, and manapua is Hawaii’s native version. Brought to the islands by Chinese immigrants, these little pockets of goodness can be found baked or steamed and are destined to put a smile on your face.

READ MORE: Riding the Road to Hana

Shave Ice

So very much more than the simple snow-cone, shave ice is the official way to stay cool in Hawaii. Huge ice blocks are chipped on special machines to produce a frozen powder, which is then formed into snowballs and doused in the sweet flavor of your choice.

You will find shave ice spots all over the Hawaiian islands, with any stand worth their cubes priding themselves on leaving no shard unflavored. Some places will even bury a scoop of ice cream underneath to soak up all the syrup.