From Spam to lili’koi: 7 must-try foods on Maui

Maui is a tropical paradise full of lush green jungles, stunning beaches, and beautiful scenery everywhere you look. It’s also an island with a killer food scene, fusing familiar flavors with local, funky flair. Fresh fish and fruits take center stage, and both North American and Asian influence define Maui‘s culinary style. From rainbow streaked shave ice to huli-huli chicken plate lunches, we’ve gathered seven foods you MUST try next time you’re on the island.

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Pitaya bowl | Photo by Compass + Twine

Pitaya bowls
The electric pink color of a pitaya bowl comes from the main ingredient—pitaya. Also know as dragon fruit, the inside can be white or pink and speckled with black seeds. The fruit is taken out and blended, often with honey, ice and a liquid like coconut water or milk. The delicious blended fruit is topped with granola and more fresh fruit, making for one of the tastiest breakfasts on the island. On Maui, they garnish with a beautiful phalaenopsis orchid blossom that looks almost good enough to eat!
Where to try it: Baya Bowl

Spam Musubi | Photo courtesy of  Flickr CC: Migration Mark

Spam musubi
Truly a local’s snack, Spam musubi can be found throughout the islands, typically near the cash registers at grocery stores or quick markets. The Japanese-inspired savory treat consists of grilled spam atop rice wrapped in nori (seaweed).  Spam made it’s way onto the culinary platform during WWII, when meat was in short supply. Love it or hate it, Spam has been a staple food item on the island for decades, and a musubi treat is the best way to try it.
Where to try it: Any grocery or convenience store should have a great offering!

Aloha Mixed Plate | Photo by Compass + Twine

Plate lunch
Hawaii is a mix of so many different ethnicities. Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos and native Hawaiians all make up the Hawaiian population, bringing their native flavors to the table. The plate lunch came about in the days of sugar plantations when workers needed a simple, filling meal to nourish their bodies. It can come with a protein such as traditional Hawaiian kalua pork, teriyaki beef, chicken stew, or kalbi. But no matter the protein, it is always accompanied by two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad.
Where to try it: Aloha Mixed Plate

Ahi Poké Dish | Photo Courtesy of Flickr CC: thefoodmonkey

Poké
Light and tasty, poké is one of the most common appetizer items you’ll see on Hawaiian menus in Hawaii. The raw fish salad consists of fresh, high-grade tuna chopped and marinated in soy and sesame sauce, and then mixed with an accompaniment of items like avocado,  black sesame seeds and scallions. Poké is certainly having its moment in the mainland, as well. Newly opened restaurants in NYC, like Noreetah and Seamore’s have perfected some pretty killer versions of this Hawaiian specialty.
Where to try it: South Maui Fish Company

Shave Ice | Photo Courtesy of Flickr CC: Fontriver

Shave ice
First things first: Shave ice is NOT the same thing as a snow cone. Typically, the base of a snow cone is crushed ice or pellet-style ice. Shave ice, however, is finely shaved, creating a light, flaky texture. The traditional Hawaiian treat is then topped with flavored syrups, though some flavor combos feature things like sweetened condensed milk or toasted coconut. Whatever flavor you opt for, a delicious bowl of shave ice will cool you down on a warm, Maui afternoon.
Where to try it: Ululani’s Shave Ice

Buttermilk malasadas with ali’i lavender-lilikoi butter | Photo by Compass + Twine

Malasadas
One bite of this Portuguese confection will change your life.  The softball-sized sweet is a known as a Hawaiian doughnut, yeast dough fried and rolled in sugar. Served along with one is an addicting dipping sauce, equal parts tangy, sweet, and floral. You’ll sop of every last drop of the lili’koi butter… if you don’t gobble up all the malasadas first.
Where to try it: Cane & Canoe

Fish Tacos | Photos by Compass + Twine

Fish tacos
There is, perhaps, no food more perfect than a fish taco. Whether fried, blackened or grilled, there’s something about a flaky white fish paired with crunchy slaw, spicy pico de gallo, and cool, refreshing sour cream. Locally caught ono or mahi-mahi are usually the fish of choice on Maui, sliced into perfect fillets and then nestled in either a corn or flour tortilla, depending on where you nosh.
Where to try it: Paia Fish Market

Tagged: Hawaii