Turning food purple is just one thing ube does. This starchy root vegetable, also known as purple yam, has seen a rise in popularity over the past few years. A common ingredient in many Asian and African cuisines, ube is extremely versatile in both sweet and savory dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for soft […]
It was called the Hau Tree Lānai when I was growing up, an open-air, oceanfront restaurant right on Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī. It was the spot for bridal showers and brunch with friends. And because of its location—on the ground floor of the iconic New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel—many visitors to Oʻahu have fond memories
Growing up in Kailua on O‘ahu’s Windward Side, Ryan Katsuno would go to Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop at least once a week, stocking up on sweet bread, pastries and—the bakery’s signature treat—malasadas. Malasadas are Hawai‘i’s quintessential comfort food. They’re basically deep-fried, sugar-dusted doughnuts, brought to Hawai‘i with the 1878 arrival of Portuguese plantation laborers from the Madeira and Azores islands. And
(Editor’s Note: Mochi Do Hawaiʻi closed in 2021.) If you haven’t heard of mochi doughnuts, maybe you haven’t been to a bakery or farmers market lately. These chewy versions of the fried dough confection, made with sweet rice flour (mochiko), is popping up everywhere, from Seattle to Houston to Canada. In Hawaiʻi, several bakeries have
It’s not quite lunchtime and there’s already a line forming outside a small window on Mokauea Street in the industrial part of Kalihi. And no one here needs a menu. The loyal customers of Alicia’s Market, a former grocery store that started serving poke when it opened in 1949, know exactly what they want, whether
When ESPACIO opened in Waikīkī in September 2019, it was lauded as the most indulgent luxe hotel on Oʻahu—arguably the state. The hotel features just nine three-bedroom suites sprawling over 2,250 square feet each with ocean-view balconies equipped with Jacuzzis and personal butlers. Rooms start at $5,000 a night, which includes two 50-minute spa treatments and
This year may just be the year of peak poke. As far east as New York City, you’ll find hip restaurants and lunch counters slinging bowls of the seasoned cubed fish, piled high with every topping under the sun, from boiled soybeans to crunchy puffed rice. More often than not, these teeming bowls are starkly
(Editor’s Note: This story was published in our Summer 2020 issue. Currently, as of Aug. 27, all of these restaurants have had to close dine-in services and many are only doing take-out or delivery. Some may have temporarily closed. Use this as a resource for your next trip to the Islands.) If breakfast is
If you’ve never had a vegan poke bowl before, get one from Raised by the Waves. Trust us, you won’t miss the fish when you get your hands on this bowl of organic brown rice, cube beets, spicy vegan mayo, cucumber slices, green onion and seaweed flakes. Located in the Kahuku Sugar Mill, behind Seven
On Hawai‘i Island, wooden totems greet you at the entrance to Don’s Mai Tai Bar, the largest open-air oceanfront watering hole in Kona. These tall, carved columns look out over the ocean, just a few feet away from the circular main bar made of wood and stone. Above your head is a thatched grass roof and
Refreshing, portable and oh-so-customizable, shave ice is one of the most refreshing treats to enjoy while basking in the hot Hawaiian sun. And with so many good spots to choose from all around the island of O‘ahu, what’s stopping you from trying them all? 1. Matsumoto Shave Ice
The buzz started on Instagram. A new food truck had opened in Kailua on Oʻahu, in the parking lot of Manuhealiʻi (5 Hoʻolai St.)—and it was selling freshly made malasadas. SEE ALSO: So What’s the Big Deal with Malasadas? And even better than that, it was selling freshly made malasadas by Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop,
