Local Food

Poi-  mashed taro root. I had NO idea what this was prior to our visit. In Kauai a very poor family on the beach asked us to join them. They compared the purple, runny concoction to mashed potatoes (no, it doesn't taste like mashed potatoes). Trace and I both took a sample from this bowl of purple mush. They eat it by scooping it with 2 or 3 fingers depending on the consistency. Since we "liked" it they poured us our own bowl. I wish I could have recorded Trace's reaction to this generosity. They eat it plain, with sardines, or next to kalua pork.  You can find it at the grocery store in a big plastic bag on the counter.

Sardines- Applause please- I picked out one of these slimy, smelly, skin covered, eyes included sections dipped it into the bowl of purple mush and ate it. Then to prove to the locals that it was good (it wasn't good at all but you've got to be nice when you've got so many smiling faces examining your response), I did it again. A delicacy to the poor, frowned upon by the wealthy, secretly enjoyed by all Hawaiians. 

Spam- They LOVE spam. I've always considered this a bad word. Not sure if I'm gonna pick up on this one no matter how expensive food is over here.

Boiled Peanuts- I've been wondering about this item every time I pass the meat section in the grocery store. It wasn't until I saw some locals eating them on the beach this weekend that my questions were answered. They are peanuts boiled in their shells (the myth is answered). To eat them you just open the shell with your teeth and pick out the softened peanuts. Per Locals: then you bury the shells in the sand.

Rice, Rice, and more Rice- Every Hawaiian dish is served either under or next to two scoops of rice, including breakfast.


Macaroni Salad- Very common to have a scoop of macaroni salad right next to your rice.


Lau Lau- steamed fish, pork, and or chicken wrapped in taro leaves and ti leaf

Malasada- Portuguese deep fried donut coated with sugar.

Poke- Raw fish seasoned with green onions, chili peppers, and soy sauce. Pretty good :) Trace has yet to try this one.

Octopus- I really thought this would be more rare, kind of like a delicacy, but I see it everywhere. People are cutting up octopus in every makeshift kitchen and frying it up. I tried it, not bad, chewy but not bad.

When you come to visit, make sure to bring your appetites!