10 Must-Try Hawaiian Foods and Drinks on Your Next Cruise

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Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine reflects this diversity. From traditional Hawaiian dishes to more modern fusion foods, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are 10 popular Hawaiian food and drink options that you should definitely try on your next cruise:

  • Poke is a Hawaiian word that means “to cut crosswise.” The dish is made with raw fish that is typically tuna or salmon, but other types of fish can also be used. The fish is cut into small cubes and then marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings. Poke can be served on its own, over rice, or as part of a larger meal.

  • Poi is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from taro root that has been pounded into a smooth paste. Taro is a starchy root vegetable that is native to Hawaii. Poi is a staple food in Hawaiian cuisine and is often served as a side dish or used as a thickener in soups and stews.

  • Lomi lomi salmon is a refreshing salad made with diced raw salmon, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers that is marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The dish is named after the Hawaiian word “lomi,” which means “to massage.” Lomi lomi salmon is a popular appetizer or side dish in Hawaii.

  • Kalua pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with pork that has been slow-roasted in an underground oven called an imu. The pork is cooked until it is fall-apart tender and has a smoky flavor. Kalua pork is a popular main course in Hawaii and is often served with poi or rice.

  • Lau lau is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with pork, beef, or chicken that has been wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. The leaves give the dish a smoky flavor and help to keep the meat moist. Lau lau is a popular main course in Hawaii and is often served with poi or rice.

  • Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian dish that has been adapted to Hawaiian cuisine. It is made with shrimp that have been cooked in a garlic butter sauce with white wine and lemon juice. Shrimp scampi is a popular appetizer or main course in Hawaii.

  • Manapua is a traditional Hawaiian pastry that is made with pork, sweet potato, or beans that have been wrapped in a steamed bun. It is a popular snack food in Hawaii and can be found at most bakeries and convenience stores.

  • Loco moco is a Hawaiian dish that is made with white rice, hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. It is a popular breakfast dish in Hawaii and is often served with macaroni salad or potato salad.

  • Saimin is a noodle soup that is made with egg noodles, pork, shrimp, and vegetables. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as a light meal or snack.

  • Shave ice is a Hawaiian dessert that is made with shaved ice that is topped with a variety of flavors, such as fruit syrups, condensed milk, and ice cream. It is a popular treat in Hawaii and can be found at most shave ice shops.
  1. Poke

Poke is a raw fish salad that is made with diced raw fish, typically tuna or salmon, that is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, seaweed, and other seasonings. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and can be found at most restaurants and food trucks.

Poke Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for poke:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound sushi-grade tuna or salmon, diced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tuna or salmon, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, macadamia nuts, ginger, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Stir to combine and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  3. Serve over rice or with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, cucumber, or seaweed.

Poi is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from taro root that has been pounded into a smooth paste. It is a starchy dish that is often served as a side dish or used as a thickener in soups and stews.

Poi Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for poi:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound taro root, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, combine the taro root, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the taro root is soft.
  2. Drain the taro root and transfer it to a food processor. Process until smooth.
  3. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Lomi lomi salmon is a refreshing salad made with diced raw salmon, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers that is marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as an appetizer or side dish.

Lomi Lomi Salmon Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for lomi lomi salmon:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound sushi-grade salmon, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the salmon, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  2. Stir to combine and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  3. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Kalua pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with pork that has been slow-roasted in an underground oven called an imu. The pork is cooked until it is fall-apart tender and has a smoky flavor. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as a main course.

Kalua Pork Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for kalua pork:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (5-7 pound) pork shoulder, bone-in
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup liquid smoke
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and water.
  2. Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder.
  3. Place the pork shoulder in a large roasting pan.
  4. Cover the roasting pan tightly with foil

Lau lau is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with pork, beef, or chicken that has been wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. The leaves give the dish a smoky flavor and help to keep the meat moist. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as a main course.

Lau Lau Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for lau lau:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pork shoulder, bone-in
  • 1 pound beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 pound chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • 1 bunch taro leaves, washed and dried
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the pork, beef, chicken, taro leaves, onion, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix well to combine.
  4. Place the mixture in a large baking dish.
  5. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
  6. Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is cooked through and the taro leaves are tender.
  7. Serve immediately.

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian dish that has been adapted to Hawaiian cuisine. It is made with shrimp that have been cooked in a garlic butter sauce with white wine and lemon juice. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as an appetizer or main course.

Shrimp Scampi Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for shrimp scampi:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  3. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through.
  4. Add the white wine, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Serve immediately.

Manapua is a traditional Hawaiian pastry that is made with pork, sweet potato, or beans that have been wrapped in a steamed bun. It is a popular snack food in Hawaii and can be found at most bakeries and convenience stores.

Manapua Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for manapua:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (16-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet bread dough, thawed according to package directions

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the pork, sweet potato, green onions, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  2. Mix well to combine.
  3. Cut the sweet bread dough into 12 equal pieces.
  4. Roll each piece of dough into a ball.
  5. Place a heaping tablespoon of the pork filling in the center of each dough ball.
  6. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch to seal.
  7. Place the manapuas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the manapuas rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  10. Bake the manapuas for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  11. Serve immediately.

Loco moco is a Hawaiian dish that is made with white rice, hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. It is a popular breakfast dish in Hawaii and is often served with macaroni salad or potato salad.

Loco Moco Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for loco moco:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 egg, fried
  • Macaroni salad or potato salad, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cook the rice according to package directions.
  2. While the rice is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the onion and cook for 1 minute, or until softened.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Stir in the water and beef broth.
  7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened slightly.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water.
  9. Add the cornstarch mixture to the gravy and cook for 1 minute, or until the gravy has thickened further.
  10. To assemble the loco moco, place a mound of rice on a plate.
  11. Top with the hamburger patty, fried egg, and gravy.
  12. Serve with macaroni salad or potato salad, if desired.

Saimin is a noodle soup that is made with egg noodles, pork, shrimp, and vegetables. It is a popular dish in Hawaii and is often served as a light meal or snack.

Saimin Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for saimin:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package saimin noodles
  • 1 pound pork shoulder, cut into thin strips
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Cook the saimin noodles according to package directions.
  2. While the noodles are cooking, brown the pork in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the shrimp, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, soy sauce, and chicken broth.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  6. Add the cooked saimin noodles and stir to combine.
  7. Serve immediately.

Shave Ice

Shave ice is a Hawaiian dessert that is made with shaved ice that is topped with a variety of flavors, such as fruit syrups, condensed milk, and ice cream. It is a popular treat in Hawaii and can be found at most shave ice shops.

Shave Ice Hawaiian dish

Here is a recipe for shave ice:

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon ice
  • 1/2 cup fruit syrup, such as strawberry, pineapple, or mango
  • 1/4 cup condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup ice cream, such as vanilla or chocolate

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shave ice machine with ice.
  2. Add the fruit syrup to the shave ice machine.
  3. Shave the ice into a bowl.
  4. Top with the condensed milk and ice cream.
  5. Serve immediately.

These are just a few of the many popular Hawaiian foods and drinks that you should try on your next cruise. With its diverse cuisine, Hawaii is sure to have something to tempt your taste buds.

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