Guide to Hawaiian Food: From Lomi Lomi Salmon to Chicken Katsu

One of the things that people find when they get to Hawaii is that the food is so much different than they are used to. It is an eclectic blend of cultures that has caused this state to be called the melting pot of the pacific. Virtually any and every ethnicity can be found here. Hawaii claims the likes of such newsworthy people as Barack Obama.

The thing you will find most interesting is the fact that most places will serve food with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. This is the Hawaiian equivalent of asking if you wanted French fries or mashed potatoes with your meal. If you are in the islands my suggestion is to try it. You will also be shocked to see what are on the menu of most national fast food chains here. Where else can you go to McDonald's and see offerings such as Spam, eggs and rice or Portuguese Sausage and rice?

There are foods that are unique to the islands such as kalua pig. This is a traditional smoked pig, very much like pulled pork. The traditional way to do this is in an under ground pit. Another local favorite is lomi lomi salmon. If you know what ceviche is then you already know what lomi lomi salmon will taste like. It is a nice fresh mix of tomatoes, onions and salted salmon.

You will also see dishes such as chicken katsu, which is a version of fried and battered chicken. Or you may see something called a loco moco and no it is not a crazy booger. It is one hamburger patty topped with two sunny side up eggs all on top of rice and then smothered with brown gravy. Delicious! OK maybe that is not your cup of tea, but if you are adventurous then give it a try. Saying that it is unique tasting is an under statement.

Another local dish is the Spam musubi. And no it is not like the Spam your mom cooked for you in grade school. Not the sliced up type heated up in the oven. These are usually a fried piece of Spam on a bed of rice with some soy sauce added and wrapped with a piece of seaweed called nori.

I know that some of these foods may not sound appealing, but give it a try and I am sure that you will see why thousands upon thousands of Hawaiians love the food here.