{"id":59221,"date":"2017-04-10T08:41:48","date_gmt":"2017-04-10T13:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=59221"},"modified":"2017-09-26T22:32:03","modified_gmt":"2017-09-27T03:32:03","slug":"essential-hawaiian-foods-on-maui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/essential-hawaiian-foods-on-maui\/","title":{"rendered":"From Spam to lili’koi: 7 must-try foods on Maui"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0familiar flavors with local, funky flair. Fresh fish and fruits take center stage, and both North American and Asian influence\u00a0define Maui<\/a>‘s culinary style. From rainbow streaked shave ice to huli-huli chicken\u00a0plate lunches, we’ve gathered seven\u00a0foods you MUST try next time you’re on the island.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong>: 3 perfect days in Maui<\/a><\/p>\n

Pitaya bowl | Photo by Compass + Twine<\/p><\/div>\n


\nPitaya bowls<\/strong>
\nThe electric pink color of a pitaya bowl comes from the main ingredient\u2014pitaya. 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\u00a0orchid blossom that looks almost good enough to eat!
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0Baya Bowl<\/p>\n

Spam Musubi | Photo courtesy of \u00a0Flickr CC: Migration Mark<\/p><\/div>\n

Spam musubi<\/strong>
\nTruly a local’s snack, Spam musubi can be found throughout\u00a0the islands, typically near\u00a0the cash registers at grocery stores or quick markets. The Japanese-inspired savory treat consists of grilled spam atop rice wrapped in nori (seaweed). \u00a0Spam 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.
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0Any grocery or convenience store should have a great offering!<\/p>\n

Aloha Mixed Plate | Photo by Compass + Twine<\/p><\/div>\n

Plate lunch<\/strong>
\nHawaii\u00a0is 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\u00a0always<\/em> accompanied by two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad.
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0Aloha Mixed Plate<\/p>\n

Ahi Pok\u00e9 Dish | Photo Courtesy of Flickr CC: thefoodmonkey<\/p><\/div>\n

Pok\u00e9<\/strong>
\nLight and tasty, pok\u00e9 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\u00a0tuna chopped and marinated in soy and sesame sauce, and then mixed with an accompaniment of items like avocado, \u00a0black sesame seeds and scallions. Pok\u00e9 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.
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0South Maui Fish Company<\/p>\n

Shave Ice | Photo Courtesy of Flickr CC: Fontriver<\/p><\/div>\n

Shave ice<\/strong>
\nFirst 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\u00a0bowl of shave ice will cool you down on a warm, Maui afternoon.
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0Ululani’s Shave Ice<\/p>\n

Buttermilk malasadas with ali’i lavender-lilikoi butter | Photo by Compass + Twine<\/p><\/div>\n


\nMalasadas<\/strong>
\nOne bite of this\u00a0Portuguese confection will change your life. \u00a0The softball-sized sweet is\u00a0a 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\u00a0lili’koi butter… if you don’t gobble up all the malasadas first.
\nWhere to try it:<\/strong>\u00a0Cane & Canoe<\/p>\n

Fish Tacos | Photos by Compass + Twine<\/p><\/div>\n

Fish tacos<\/strong>
\nThere 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.
\nWhere to try it:\u00a0<\/strong>Paia Fish Market<\/p>\n

\"Orbitz,<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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