Sweet, raw sugarcane is often enjoyed by Hawaiians like a lollipop.
Hawaiians enjoy a rich selection of savory and sweet island foods, some of which have been local favorites for hundreds of years. Some of the most common foods enjoyed in Hawaii today are prepared and eaten in exactly the same way as they were at the first luaus in the 1800s, while some of today's most popular Hawaiian foods aren't indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands at all. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Kalua Pig
Kalua pig is one of Hawaii's most common foods and is the main course at any traditional Hawaiian luau. The pig is placed in an underground oven called an "imu" where it is slow cooked with white hot rocks and ti or taro leaves. The cooked pork is juicy, tender and has a smoky, salty flavor.
Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Sweet bread has been a popular, treasured treat in Hawaii for years. This light, multipurpose bread has many uses in island kitchens and is used in an assortment of sandwich recipes and dinner sides. Sweet bread is also commonly eaten for breakfast, as a dessert or as snack. The bread is fluffy with a pleasing mild, sweet flavor.
Haupia
Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding that has been served at luaus for over 100 years. Haupia is sweet with a smooth and creamy texture. Today, it is shipped and sold ready-made by several Hawaiian-based food manufacturers, but this pudding is also easy to make from scratch with a few basic ingredients.
Poke
Poke is a delicate, raw fish salad that is popular in the Hawaiian Islands. It is usually made with carefully cut slices of raw, yellow fin tuna and tossed with soy sauce, sesame oil and seaweed, but there are over 100 versions of this popular salad dish currently made and served in Hawaii.
Li Hing Mui
Li Hing Mui is a popular snack first introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by the Chinese in the 19th century. Li Hing Mui is a packaged, crack seed snack which is actually not a seed at all. Crack seed is a chewy, granola-like morsel of sweet, dried and preserved fruits. Li Hing Mui can be purchased in stores around the islands or online in an assortment of tropical flavors and varieties.
Manapua
Like Li Hing Mui, manapua is a Hawaiian favorite that was first introduced to the islands by the Chinese. Known in China as cha siu bau, this pork-filled bun is a sweet and savory treat often made with Hawaiian sweet bread and eaten as a snack or for breakfast or lunch. Manapua is commonly sold from truck vendors in the island's business districts, neighborhoods and beaches.
Tags: Hawaiian Islands, first introduced, made with, most common, most common foods, popular Hawaiian