Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Hawaiian Islands with my family. We spent two weeks between O‘ahu and the Big Island, and made so many incredible memories. From hiking into the crater of a volcano, to seeing a 442 foot tall waterfall, and even seal-spotting on the North Shore! And (of course) we also ate a ton of delicious food along the way! Here's the top five food experiences in Hawaii I'll never forget.
H Mart Food Court
After shopping at H Mart in downtown Honolulu, we ate dinner at the coolest food court! There were a ton of amazing options, including an outpost of the North Shore's famous Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, and Teasket Toasket, a delightfully named café specializing in creative and fun sandwiches and bubble tea. It was a difficult decision, but I opted for the seafood noodle soup from K-Town Korean Foods. It was served piping hot and was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I especially loved the banchan, a variety of vegetable side dishes served with rice as a complement to the meal. These included kimchi, stir-fried fish cake (eomuk bokkeum), pickled garlic stems (maneul-jjong jangajji), and my personal favorite, yellow pickled radish (danmuji).
After the spiciness of the soup, I was craving something sweet and cold. My family ordered an ice cream flight from Black Sheep Cream Co. We tried a bunch of fun flavors, including Cereal Killer, Matcha Made in Heaven, and Kookie Cookie. They were all delicious, but I have to say my favorite was the Honeydew You Boo Boo!
Shaka Shaka
Shaka Shaka is a chain of counter-service tea cafés with locations all over Hawaii. They offer a delicious variety of customizable beverages and unique snacks, but I only had my eyes set on their bubble tea. My family made a pit stop at Shaka Shaka nearly every day of our trip and I had so much fun trying different combinations of toppings and flavors!
L&L Plate Lunch
When in Hawaii, it's pretty much required that you try the famous plate lunch. The standard plate lunch includes two scoops of white rice, 1 scoop of mac salad, and a protein entrée. It's origins are unclear, but the dish likely has roots in Japanese bento boxes and provided a convenient and filling lunch option for day laborers on fruit plantations going back to the 1800s. One of my favorite plate lunches was the Mahi Mahi plate from L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. It was super tasty and filling, providing the sustenance I needed for an afternoon of hiking on a volcano! Most of L&L's locations are in Hawaii, but there is one in Sarasota and a couple in Jacksonville. Personally, I think an L&L would do really well at FSU...just saying.
Ola Brew Taproom
While on the Big Island, we stopped for dinner and drinks at the Ola Brew Taproom in Hilo. They offer a wonderful selection of beverages and creative pub food options, from a furikake-topped ramen noodle Carbonara to Liliko'i Lime Milkshake IPA. I thoroughly enjoyed my Pineapple Hard Cider and Banchan plate. I also had some amazing fries and pork belly, but I was so absorbed in the live music and friendly atmosphere, that I forgot to take a picture!
Hawaiian Style Cafe
My family was on the Big Island for Father's Day, so we stopped at the famous Hawaiian Style Cafe for a celebratory breakfast. They advertise "Hawaiian Style Portions" and I can confirm, they aren't kidding around. I ordered the Haupia Pancakes and was served two ginormous fluffy cakes drenched in an incredible coconut cream sauce, topped with toasted coconut shavings and whipped cream. This was one of the best breakfasts I've ever eaten and I am getting hungry just thinking about it!
Mahalo (Thank You)
I had so many amazing food experiences in Hawaii, and it was super fun reliving the memories while writing this. Traveling is an incredible opportunity to try new foods and I am so grateful that I was able to take this trip with my family. I made memories to last a lifetime and I'm already planning my dream return trip. Mahalo for reading, and aloha!