Local Kine Grindz (Food)
Ube is a sweet purple yam that comes from the Philippines and many other parts of the Asian region. It has a hint of coconut and vanilla-like taste making it the perfect flavor for a vibrant purple ice cream or shake. Follow this recipe for a copycat version to Maui’s local restaurant Cupie’s Ube Shake.
Khalbi ribs is a local island favorite in Hawaii. This blessed dish was introduced by the Koreans and has since been adopted and loved by the locals. It is the perfect summer bbq dish to serve at family gatherings or beach get-togethers.
Chinese Cake Noodles is an addictive dish with crispy noodles smothered in a thick savory sauce with fried local vegetables. It has been on the menus of many local Chinese restaurants and is always a must have when eating with the ohana.
Vinha D’Alhos (vee-nah dosh) is a Portuguese dish that is commonly eaten during the holiday season. The Portuguese came to Hawaii during the plantation era. They brought many traditions including this onolicious dish, Vinha D’alhos. It is similar to an adobo dish but has more spices to add a seasonal flavor to it. It has a nice tangy and savory kick that makes it go well with Portuguese sweet bread or rice.
Meat Jun is a popular Korean dish eaten in Hawaii. I remember eating Meat Jun from Yummy’s Korean BBQ. It has a sweet and savory taste that always takes me back home. Thinly sliced beef is the most common type of meat used for Meat Jun, but for this recipe, you’ll also learn how to make Meat Jun with chicken and fish.
Garlic Furikake Chicken is a crispy deep fried chicken dipped in a garlicy-shoyu based sauce. Garnished on top is the furikake seasoning that a lot of locals like to top on their rice. Learn how to make furikake chicken from scratch; from the chicken brine to the frying and making the dipping sauce.
Fried rice is a great local dish to make if you have a lot of leftover ingredients. Since rice is pretty much a staple in Hawaii, guarantee there will be leftover rice. So, put that rice together with veggies of your choice and any leftover meat, and now you have fried rice! You know it’s local fried rice if you either have spam, lup cheon, char siu, shrimp, chicken, beef, or Portuguese sausage. I also heard that bacon is great for this dish too!
One of Hawaii’s classic dish is loco moco. Everyone and their dog has come across this simple and filling dish. Basically it is rice, hamburger patty, gravy, and an egg. Boom! Right there is your classic loco moco. Although it is an easy dish, this will leave anyone happy with a full stomach.
Learn how to make 4 types of Spam Musubi! A local Hawaiian version to the Japanese musubi. Super simple but super yummy to eat! Pack a spam musubi with plastic wrap and take it with you anywhere for lunch, dinner, or snack! Great for a picnic, swim at the beach, or any hangout.
Chicken katsu is a popular Hawaiian local dish. It originated from Japan but eventually it became a beloved local favorite dish. You can find chicken katsu at local potlucks, plate lunches, L&L, and other local restaurants. If you’re craving chicken katsu, you can make your very own homemade chicken katsu with tonkatsu as its dipping sauce.
