Tag: local food

We wrote about the famous Liliha Bakery here at the HAT Blog a decade ago. We’ve been back many times since, and, frankly, nothing has changed (it opened in 1950). That is a wonderful thing. Much has been written over the years about the venerable old diner, many fawning and cutesy local news segments produced […]

A friend of the HAT Blog, Chef Adam Gilbert, opened Monarch Poke in Pearl City in November 2022. Located in a nondescript strip mall near Pearlridge Shopping Center, the dishes on offer belie the workaday tedium of shoe stores, auto body shops, and plate lunch joints that typify the area. A recent Friday lunchtime visit […]

We love our local food here in the Aloha State, especially here at Hawaii Aloha Travel. Our custom food tour is curated to offer the best of what Oahu’s farms and eateries have to offer. And we love to feature those establishments on the blog and Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast as well. But you don’t […]

Jack’s Restaurant in Aina Haina is the kind of local establishment that you just kind of have to know about to find it. Tucked into a strip mall in East Honolulu, the humble and beloved diner is not exactly a visitor hotspot. But Jack’s is a favorite and well-known eatery among Oahu residents. Famous for […]

So much food, so little time! We’re rounding up the top 8 foods to try in Hawaii. Hawaii has incredible foods, many of which you can’t find anywhere else in the world! Only after I moved away from Hawaii (twice!) I realized how amazing Hawaii cuisine really is. It’s not just the “fancy” stuff, but […]

SPAM Musubi: convenient, portable, and cheap. Most people love SPAM in Hawaii, and a musubi is the go-to way to enjoy the canned meat.  You’ll see SPAM Musubi everywhere in the islands. It’s kind of like Hawaii’s (tastier) version of a food bar or peanut butter sandwich. It’s common to see people pull one out […]

Mandoo is a popular food in Hawaii that you’re sure to encounter on your vacation here. But what should you expect if you see these at markets or restaurants? Here’s our quick intro to Mondoo (and where to find the best in Hawaii).  What is Mandoo Mandoo are Korean dumplings that can be boiled, steamed, […]

Bao buns are having a moment – it seems like they’re appearing all over the mainland at all different kinds of restaurants. But Hawaii has long treasured these treats, so much so that we have our own version, called Manapua.  A Manapua is a soft roll with a savory filling. Char siu pork is the […]