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What to eat in Hanalei? Where to eat in Hanalei? 3 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Hanalei

The best traditional dishes in Hanalei and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Sun Feb 16 2025
3 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Hanalei
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01

Sweet Pie

HAWAII, United States of America
3.6
Haupia pie
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Haupia pie is a traditional pie originating from Hawaii. This chilled layered pie consists of a base of chocolate pudding and whipped cream topping, and in between, there is a layer of haupia (a gelatinous coconut pudding made with coconut milk, cornstarch, and sugar).


The pie also contains an outer shell, a pie crust that’s baked until golden brown. Before serving, this Hawaiian staple is usually garnished with chocolate shaving over the whipped cream topping. Haupia pie can be found as a signature dish at most coffee shops and bakeries in Hawaii.

MOST ICONIC Haupia pie

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02

Fish Dish

HAWAII, United States of America
4.4
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Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is made with small pieces of fresh and raw fish or seafood, which are combined with finely chopped vegetables, herbs, condiments, and seasonings. Although traditional poke uses either ahi tuna (yellowfin tuna) or octopus, the variations on this dish are endless these days, including poke with salmon, mussels, crabmeat, or oysters, as well as vegetarian versions with diced avocados.


Typical ingredients apart from the raw fish or seafood include sweet onions, garlic, shallots, scallions, sesame seeds, seaweeds, candlenuts, limu (brown algae), soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and Hawaiian sea salt. The creation of poke has been attributed to local fishermen who used to combine freshly-caught small reef fish with few seasonings such as sea salt, candlenuts, limu, and seaweed for a filling snack. 

MOST ICONIC Poke

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03

Porridge

HAWAII, United States of America
3.0
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Poi is a traditional Hawaiian food, a nutritious, starchy dish made from the taro plant, prepared by smashing the cooked corm (underground plant stem) and adding water to it until it becomes a thick, sticky paste that is purple in color. It stimulates weight loss, lowers cholesterol, is a great source of vitamin B and calcium, and it has low fat and protein content.


The taro plant was brought to Hawaii by the Polynesians in the year 450, and it is one of the oldest crops on Hawaii. Since taro is associated with the god Kane, creator of water, sun, and life - poi became a sacred part of Hawaiian life. When poi was served at the table, the consumers were forbidden from arguing, as a symbol of respect to its sacredness. 

MOST ICONIC Poi

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