Courtesy of M Swiet Productions/Getty Images
What to Eat in Kauai
Classic Hawaiian dishes often come in the form of comfort food (don't expect a whole lot of salads) and are typically a unique blend of the many different cultures that have immigrated to Hawaii. One of the best examples of this cultural immersion is reflected in a dish called saimin. What appears to be just plain ramen is actually a combination of Japanese (broth), Chinese (noodles), Filipino (green onions), Portuguese (sausage), Korean (kimchi) and Hawaiian (ham) ingredients. Hamura Saimin in Lihue, situated in southwestern Kauai, is said to have some of the best saimin on the island.
Saimin is just the start of imports with a Hawaiian twist. There's also Spam musubi, which is basically sushi, but instead of fish, the substitute is flavored Spam. If that's a little too unconventional for your liking, try manapua. Manapua resembles traditional Chinese pork buns that are much bigger in size and packed with unconventional fillings, such as sweet potato, barbecue pork or curry chicken, to name a few. For something sweet, sink your teeth into malasada. This dessert was brought over by Portuguese immigrants and is basically a hole-less doughnut coated with sugar and filled with a custard, chocolate or fruit-based filling.
Another tradition is the plate lunch, a robust dish that always consists of two scoops of rice and macaroni salad alongside a serving of meat that could range from kalua pork (the type of meat traditionally served at luaus) to mahi-mahi. Loco moco is the island's version of an English breakfast. But instead of a hodgepodge of meat, there is a slab of teriyaki-flavored beef that sits on a bed of rice and is topped with a fried egg and gravy. If all that sounds a bit too heavy, try huli-huli chicken, a grilled chicken dish coated in a sweet teriyaki marinade.
You also can't leave the island without trying poke, the Hawaiian classic that is currently sweeping the mainland. Poke is marinated, cubed raw fish typically accompanied with rice. Whatever meals you decide to sample in Kauai, be sure to top it all off with flavored shaved ice, Hawaii's unofficial state dessert.
Find the Best Restaurants in Kauai
- #1
Kauai Juice Co#1 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa
$ - $$ |4-1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746-1675Read More » - #1
Porky's Kauai#1 of 19 Places to Eat in Waimea - #1
Waikomo Shave Ice#1 of 47 Places to Eat in Koloa - #2
Anake's Juice Bar#2 of 47 Places to Eat in Koloa - #3
Kauai Juice Co#3 of 47 Places to Eat in Koloa - #1
The Fresh Shave#1 of 6 Places to Eat in Lawai - #2
Hee Fat General Store#2 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa
$ | Hawaiian4-1354 Kuhio Hwy Ste 1, Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746-1669Read More » - #4
Makai Sushi#4 of 47 Places to Eat in Koloa - #1
Pink's Creamery#1 of 42 Places to Eat in Hanalei - #3
Wailua Shave Ice - Kauai#3 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #1
Midnight Bear Breads#1 of 22 Places to Eat in Hanapepe - #4
Imua Coffee Roasters#4 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #2
Ishihara Market#2 of 19 Places to Eat in Waimea - #5
NOM Kauai#5 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #6
Coconut's Fish Cafe#6 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #7
JO2 Restaurant#7 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #2
Jo Jo's#2 of 42 Places to Eat in Hanalei - #8
Tacos Al Pastor#8 of 114 Places to Eat in Kapaa - #5
Lappert's Hawaii#5 of 47 Places to Eat in Koloa - #3
JoJo's Shave Ice#3 of 19 Places to Eat in Waimea
Explore More of Kauai
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.