Oahu a true Foodie Paradise

Sushi in Oahu

Not many people think of Hawaii as a true foodie destination.  True, most people think about luaus, which involve food, but the food scene here is SO much more.  Hawaii has a unique melting pot of cuisines a and cultures and has influences in their dining culture that are solely Hawaiian.  When you visit, let us make some recommendations so you can get a TASTE of Hawaii.  Here are some of our favorites we think are work seeking out:

Breakfast at Cafe Kalawe.  Why?  Two words, LOCO MOCO.  What is this?  It feels like coming home, Hawaiian style.  It's a hearty dish with steamed or fried rice as a base, a protein (usually hamburger patties or pulled pork), eggs (I recommend fried over easy) all covered in rich brown gravy.  This is really a local breakfast tradition and you can find it a lot of places, but we loved Cafe Kalawe.  This is a sweet little local neighborhood hotspot serving up Hawaiian hospitality, ohana and local live music on Saturdays.  You really need to go early because it's a small cafe that is super popular with tourists and locals alike.

We also loved Korean Style table side BBQ in Hawaii because there is a strong Japanese influence in the sides and flavors.  It is all you can eat and you get to choose your proteins, sauces and sides.  The choices and combinations are endless.  Go hungry and don't make plans for after because you will need to make plans for a food coma.

Ala Moana Mall, which is the world's largest open air mall, is home to some amazing restaurants and AND a food court that is unlike any other in the USA.  We recommend stopping in Brug Japanese Bakery (which has been making Japanese specialties and local delights since the 1970's).  If you can't find a puka dog (Hawaiian style hotdog served in a hollowed out bun and loaded with Hawaiian relishes) grab a Korean style corn dog from Mr. Cows.  These are the wildest corn dogs we've ever encountered, I recommend the flamming hot cheeto dusted K-dog.  You can also take the world famous Jollibee Korean style chicken for a test drive.  

Even the grocery stores have a strong food scene.  Foodland is super popular because of their HUGE poke bar.  You will have a hard time choosing what to try first.  Even the liquor stores get in on the food action...our favorite is the Poke take out in the back of Tamura's Fine Wines and Liquor in Kailua, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.

Kaeohe Pancake house is another local gem that is nestled in the heart of a neighborhood instead of in the thick of all the tourist hotspots.  Their specialty?  Ube Pancakes.  Sweet and savory at the same time, these purple sweet potatoes based pancakes are fun and delicious.  

Still hungry for more?  Grab some Spam Musubi and Mochi from a local gas station for your drive to the food trucks at North Shore.  Spam Musubi is sort of like two bite sushi with Spam.  It is a marinated slice of Spam atop sushi rice, wrapped with a wide band of nori.  This little delight was a byproduct of WWII, as is the Hawaiian love affair with Spam.  Mochi is small, chewy, Japanese rice cakes and in Hawaii they are infused with a wide variety of local flavors.

North Shore has a solid food truck scene where you can get so many different delights.  Our favorites are Huli Huli Chicken (Hawaiian rotisserie chicken and this is NOT Costco chicken), Garlic Shrimp, the frest fruit plates and Hawaiian burgers.

If you ae STILL hungry, you MUST stop at Manoa Chocolate Factory Store for a chocolate tasting or chocolate and wine pairing.  All the chocolate here is made with locally grown cocao beans and it is amazing how the location of the beans have a major influence over the flavor of the chocolate.