While the wildly popular poke bowls may get most of the attention, Hawaii is home to a number of delicious dishes you might not have heard of. We’ve got you covered with everything from Spam Musubi to Plate Lunch. Here, we take a look at 12 of our favorite Hawaiian foods that aren’t poke. Enjoy! Unless you’re a poke lover, these dishes are sure to impress!

Spam Musubi

It might be surprising to learn that Hawaii produces more Spam than the rest of the country. In addition to being used in sushi, Hawaii also uses the meat in sandwiches, eggs, and musubi. You can find Spam Musubi in most restaurants and even at 7-11. Spam Musubi is one of Hawaii’s best kept secrets, but you can’t go wrong with this local treat.

If you’re looking for a more interesting dish, try kalua pork. This Hawaiian staple is a kind of pulled pork but without the intensely smoky flavor of barbecue sauce. The smoky pork is also popular as an appetizer at luaus. You might even find this dish on your menu after a long day of sightseeing! Whether you’re looking for a healthy meal, or something a little less adventurous, there’s a dish for you.

You might be wondering what makes poke so delicious. Well, aside from the fact that poke is made from fish, Hawaiian food is surprisingly varied. From spicy tuna to meaty octopus, Hawaii has a huge variety of dishes that you can try, but perhaps you’ll enjoy one more. If poke is your go-to meal in Hawaii, consider trying these other delicious dishes as well.

Shave Ice

If you’re not a fan of poke, you may want to try some of the other popular Hawaiian foods. Shave ice is one of them. This frozen treat is not unlike a snow cone but is made with Hawaiian fruit. Often made with pineapple and coconut, it’s also served with toppings like Japanese red beans and azuki beans. You can try it with a twist by dipping the ice in fruit juice.

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique than poke, try a Hula Pie. The dessert consists of macadamia nut ice cream, a chocolate cookie crust, and whipped cream. A piece of hula pie is about nine to 10 inches in diameter, but can be shared by two people. It’s a great way to get your fill of Hawaiian food without going overboard. https://www.behance.net/stevehacks

Besides poke, you can try taro leaf taro cake. This delicacy is a staple on the islands. It’s made by cooking taro leaves until soft and seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt. Many take-out places also serve it as a side dish or as a part of a mixed Hawaiian plate. Another popular Hawaiian food is luau stew. This dish is made from beef brisket and coconut milk, with ginger, pepper, and seaweed. While taro leaf taro cake is the most well-known Hawaiian dish, it’s also easily available at grocery stores and local mom-and-pop counter shops.

Kalua Pork

We’ve heard so many good things about this shredded pork from Hawaii, but what makes it so special? Well, it is very easy to make. Modern appliances like a grill can easily make kalua pork for dinner parties, and the flavor is hard to beat. And it doesn’t look all that exciting either. Here’s how to make it.

First of all, kalua means “underground” in Hawaiian. In a traditional Hawaiian kalua, the pork is cooked in an underground oven called an imu. This process takes time, but it is worth it for the flavor. The meat has a texture that’s slightly softer than shredded pork, and it has a unique flavor. You can also use liquid smoke flavoring to replicate the flavor. This pork dish is traditionally served with rice.

Another delicious Hawaiian food is kalua pork. It is cooked for days in a huge pit surrounded by heated lava rocks, and is a staple of local cuisine. The kalua pork is a favorite among many Hawaiians, and the delis on the Big Island are all over the island. If you’re looking for a fast lunch, check out the Japanese quick-serve spots in the Old Lahaina Center. In addition to their popular Spam musubi, they also have a variety of bento boxes, rice bowls, and other Japanese foods.

Plate Lunch

Hawaii is known for its diverse cuisine, and if you’re looking for new ways to experience local food, these 12 options are a great start. The mix plate at Rainbow Drive-In features two scoops of rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and three types of meat. This plate is great for people who want to sample a bit of everything. It also speaks to Hawaii’s multicultural past, where Hawaiians brought bento-style lunches to work.

The purple sweet potato is another staple in Hawaiian cuisine, which was brought by early Hawaiians to the islands as a source of starch. This starchy root vegetable is often boiled, steamed, or baked, or mashed up like poi. The early Hawaiians made saimin by trading ingredients with Filipino and Japanese laborers, and the dish eventually took off. Today, saimin is a popular local snack, even available in McDonald’s! https://www.weddingbee.com/members/stevehacks/

Plate lunches are an inexpensive and filling meal in Hawaii. You can find them anywhere, and many locals will order them at any of the islands’ many eateries. The plate lunch is an ideal choice for a family meal or as a picnic lunch. The plate lunch features two scoops of rice, a main dish, and one or two sides. You can add chicken katsu, pork katsu, Spam musubi, and even fried egg for some variety.

Loco Moco

Although poke is synonymous with Hawaii, this cuisine has much more to offer than the popular raw-fish salad. From casual beach picnics to lavish birthday parties, poke is a staple on the islands. While the ingredients are fresh and the flavor combination is unique, poke isn’t limited to Hawaiian cuisine. The diversity of Hawaiian cuisine reflects the island’s diverse history and culture.

Loco Moco is another traditional staple that’s served throughout the Islands. It’s basically white rice topped with a hamburger patty and an egg, all covered in a rich gravy. While it’s not technically a “poke” dish, it’s an excellent breakfast or snack. It is also a popular meal for hungover tourists and locals alike.

Haupia Pie

While you may not be familiar with poke, you’re definitely not alone. The Hawaiian culture is rich in unique foods and flavors, and a visit to Hawaii is an excellent opportunity to sample some of these delicacies. From street food to fine dining, poke is a delicious mix of Hawaiian and international cuisine. While poke is known for its spicy ahi, you’ll also find a wide variety of other Hawaiian foods.

The combination of cultures has given Hawaiian food an eclectic palate. There’s spam musubi, chicken long rice, katsu, and purple sweet potato. It’s difficult to pick just one. The list is endless. But if you’re craving something different from traditional Hawaiian cuisine, try one of these dishes. You’ll soon see why they’re so popular!

One of the most traditional foods in Hawaii is laulau, a pork and taro leaf-wrapped dish. This unique Hawaiian dish is one of the best-known meals, and is served at many local restaurants. It’s made by pounding taro root with water and sea salt until it melts in your mouth. The taro leaf is an integral part of many Hawaiian dishes, and is also used to make poi.

Manapua

While the word “poke” is common in Hawaii, you may not be familiar with the stuffed bun known as the manapua. Originally called “char siu pork bun,” it was later renamed “manapua” by the Hawaiians. The original recipe was made with pork and sweet red-bean paste. Chinese immigrants first introduced the manapua to the islands in the late 19th century. Today, manapuas are a delicious portable dish, which is available baked or steamed.

While many people associate the Hawaiian Islands with poke, the cuisine is much more than just raw fish and soy sauce. It’s a delicious tropical mix of spices and ingredients, slathered in mayonnaise and seasoned with other ingredients. The Hawaiians are very proud of the manapua, and it’s not just the seafood that makes it delicious.

While manapua is normally served at Chinese restaurants, the original Hawaiian dish is more than a century old. It was first featured in Hawaiian cuisine during the 19th century, and is now an integral part of luau celebrations. Chef Chung Chow of the Thomas Keller-trained Per Se famer is now bringing this popular dish to a new audience.

Saimin

When we were first introduced to the islands, we had no idea what to expect from their savory dishes. Saimin is a delicious, regional dish, served with a subtle Japanese broth, green onions, and barbecued pork. This dish, served over a bed of fresh wheat noodles, is reminiscent of ramen, though it is not based on a traditional Japanese soup.

There are fewer saimin stands left on the island, but some stand-alone restaurants continue to provide the locals with this traditional dish. Palace Saimin, in Kalihi, opened in 1946, and still has a loyal following. Jane’s Fountain, in Liliha, has been serving saimin for 70 years. The menu is adorned with vintage advertisements, and the restaurant even offers a jukebox! In Lihue, Hamura’s Saimin Stand, opened in 1952, serves over eight hundred pounds of saimin daily.

While we love the taste of poke, there are also a few other dishes that deserve to be on the menu. While we can’t go back to Hawaii and order it on every street corner, we can order it to-go at the fish markets or from a local market. Poke from a local restaurant will be fresher than something we buy at the supermarket. Saimin, for example, is one of our favorite Hawaiian foods that isn’t poke but is still a tasty and nutritious option.