Finding Authentic Hawaiian Food in Honolulu

The Best Places to Eat Traditional Hawaiian Food on Oahu

Honolulu is a city with a rich history and culture, and its food scene reflects that. The wide variety of cultures found in Hawaii have resulted in endless exciting food fusions but for this article we’re focusing in on traditional Hawaiian foods, meaning those made with ingredients that Polynesians had available pre-contact to the island migrations that came later. These are foods typically served at luau feasts and are often cooked in underground ovens known as imu. You don’t need to spend on an expensive luau show to get a small sampling of these distinct and flavorful dishes. There are many restaurants right here in Honolulu where you can find hearty portions and take-out your food to enjoy at a park or beach.

What is traditional Hawaiian food?

The Polynesian voyagers traveled far to reach the isolated islands of Hawaii which offered little land-based food sources beyond coconuts. They introduced their staple foods brought over inside their canoes which then flourished and sustained them in their new home. Root vegetables like kalo (taro) and sweet potato were rich in nutrients and could sustain long journeys. Hawaiian dishes often incorporate the roots or leaves of these plants slow cooked together, inside the imu, with the meats of pork, chicken, and seafood. Banana and ti leaves are added to protect the food from burning on the hot lava rocks and to create the steam for slow-cooking which imparts the distinctive flavors of greenery and smoke to the food.

So where can you find some of these mouth-watering dishes?

The Hawaiian plate is a traditional dish found throughout Hawaii, which is a must-try for anyone who visits, but these are a few of our favorite places to get that authentic Hawaiian food taste in Honolulu:

• Nico’s Pier 38: This place is well-known for their fresh seafood offerings and sits on the harbor where commercial fishing boats unload their fresh catches daily to be sold right next door at the Honolulu Fish Auction house. Every Friday they offer a Hawaiian plate special with a sampling of favorites like Kalua Pig, pork lau-lau, poi, and limi-lomi salmon. They also offer several variations of the Hawaiian plate, including a pork belly version, a chicken version, a poke version, and even a vegan option. These guys win for the juiciest, most flavorful Kalua Pig and you can’t beat the ambiance with open-air seating, a bar, and live music starting at 12pm. You can also take home some fresh catch-of-the-day and fresh poke in the gift store section. Our tip, go early! You can literally watch the line growing out the door by the minute as the lunch hour hits.

• Highway Inn: With two locations – one in Kaka’ako and one in Waipahu the Highway Inn is another top spot for authentic Hawaiian food. The restaurant has been serving Hawaiian cuisine for over 60 years and is renowned for its classic favorites such as poke bowls, kalua pig, and lomi salmon. You can get a sampler with a little of everything or choose your favorite as an Ala-carte plate. Their squid luau is the best! The restaurant also highlights locally sourced ingredients, making it a popular choice amongst the sustainability-focused crowd.

• Helena’s Hawaiian Food: Located in Kalihi, Helena’s Hawaiian Food is an iconic eatery that has been serving authentic Hawaiian cuisine since 1946. The restaurant is owned and operated by the Chock family and is renowned for its award-winning kalua pig. Visitors to this restaurant can expect to find a wide range of Hawaiian specialties such as lau lau, lomi salmon, and poi. The restaurant’s decor is also traditional Hawaiian, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
• Ono Hawaiian Food: Located in Kapahulu, Ono Hawaiian Food is another popular restaurant where you can find authentic Hawaiian food. The restaurant is family-owned and operated and is renowned for its home-style cooking and generous portions. The menu includes local favorites such as pipikaula, kalua pig, and haupia. The decor is also Hawaiian-themed, featuring traditional artwork and murals depicting island life.

by Erica McMillan