, they understandably like to sample traditional Hawaiian luau fare. However, there is much more to island cuisine than Kalua pig, poi, coconut chicken, haupia and lomi salmon. So in honor of that, we wanted to highlight five more Maui foods that we’d recommend you taste at least once during your stay at our Kaanapali Beach resort:
1) Fried Spam Musubi
If you are looking for a bit of comfort food and aren’t afraid of a little grease, try eating fried Spam Musubi. It’s a heavenly combination of deep-fried nori, rice, potted meat and breading that fits in the hand and warms the stomach. You can typically find it at roadside stands and casual eateries like .
2) Loco Moco
Are you in the mood for a super hearty, Maui breakfast instead? If so, make tracks to CJ’s Deli & Diner and order one of Maui’s most beloved meals, The Loco Moco. The soul satisfying meal is traditionally made in layers. The bottom layer is a bed of white rice, which is topped with a juicy hamburger patty, sinful brown gravy and a perfectly cooked, sunny-side up egg. We should also mention that some folks opt to beef up the dish even more by adding additional eggs, Maui onions and other local ingredients.
3) Pipi Kaula
Pipi kaula is another Maui favorite that should certainly be on your list of “must try” Hawaiian staples. It consists of brine-soaked, marinated and dried short ribs that are sometimes broiled, fried or eaten “as is.” Oftentimes they are served alongside of poi, rice and dipping sauces too. You can find pipi kaula served at a variety of locations, including mom-and-pop eateries.
4) Opah
Do you love meals that come from the sea? Then don’t forget to order opah too. Also known as moonfish, it is indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Restaurants all over Maui serve it in a wide variety of ways. So you may want to try it raw, smoked, broiled, baked, steamed or sautéed.
5) Manju
Last on our list of local treats is a sweet, Japanese dessert known as manju. It resembles a filled or stuffed cookie. The difference is they are traditionally made with a special blend of dry ingredients and stuffed with assorted bean pastes. You’ll commonly find the treats served at tea houses, cafes, bakeries and sweet shops.
To learn more about these great island foods and where to enjoy them near our Maui resort, please . Our concierges are always happy to share the names and addresses of their favorite Kaanapali Beach restaurants.
Leave a Reply