The Aloha State is famous for its plate lunches, and this convenient, tasty meal is enjoyed by tourists and kama'aina alike. The plate lunch is an island staple, and it can encompass a variety of foods from different cultures. If you’re about to travel to the Hawaiian Islands, get familiar with this classic entree so that you can truly appreciate it.

Origins

Plate lunches in Hawaii date back to the 1880s when the islands were teeming with sugar and pineapple plantations. Laborers came from around the world to work at the plantations, including people from China, the Philippines, Japan, and Portugal. These workers would bring their home-cooked dinner leftovers for lunch in a bento box. During lunchtime, many people would trade bits of food to sample other culture’s cuisine and create a variety for their meal.

Since most of the plantation workers were Asian, they ate their meals with rice, solidifying this starch as a key component to the meal. The most popular dishes from each culture earned their places as lunch staples. These entrees include chicken katsu from Japan, Portuguese sausage from Portugal, and fried noodles from China.

Modernization

After the plantation era ended in the 1950s, food trucks continued the mixed-culture lunch by parking near construction sites so that workers could buy cheap, satisfying meals. The trucks transitioned away from traditional bento boxes, and served their food on plates, giving the dish its iconic name. These plate lunches were also given a scoop or two of macaroni salad along with white rice.

Today’s plate lunches still contain these traditional scoops, and they continue to mix dishes from Hawaii’s early immigrant cultures. Plate lunches are typically enjoyed at a casual restaurant or on the go at a scenic location, like at the beach or park.

If you’re in Maui and want to try this signature island dish, head to Plantation Grindz in Kahului, HI. This eatery serves up classic made-to-order plate lunches, featuring fried milkfish, shrimp tempura, or mochiko chicken. Enjoy your taste of Hawaii on one of their outdoor tables or take it to-go and eat it at the nearby Maui Beach. View their menu online, or call (808) 873-3663 to place an order. Connect with the team on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.