3. Hawaiian Food for Every Palate
One of the most exciting parts of traveling is eating new and delicious foods. Even though Hawaii is a part of the U.S., it offers its own take on all kinds of eats, from sushi to barbecue. If you scour the Internet, you’ll find endless lists of the top places to eat, but how about discovering your own favs?
Here’s how to find amazing Hawaiian food experiences while you explore Oahu with your kids:
Although it may sound strange, ask a local for a live music recommendation, or where their ohana (family) might meet up with the grandparents. Chances are you’ll discover a place with a humble reputation, endless aloha spirit to share and an amazing PuPu platter. A local hole-in-the-wall is a great spot to taste real Hawaii and to support a small business.
Another great approach to finding authentic Hawaiian cuisine it to look for poke (pronounced po-kay) or kalua pork on a menu. True, poke is becoming a food trend on the mainland, but its origin is in the food trucks of Hawaii. To order the best poke bowl, look for one that includes ahi tuna (seared or not), seaweed, sesame and whatever else sounds good. You can get a poke bowl with any number of ingredients, but for the best North Shore grub, just order a traditional Hawaiian poke bowl. And when it comes to kalua pork, know that you’re going to get something slow cooked, fall-apart-delicious and smothered in Hawaiian-style barbecue sauce. It may come with some pineapple and may be served on a flatbread or in a bomber (Hawaiian burrito). All variations are amazing and authentically Hawaiian.