If you’re visiting the Aloha State, you should try the islands’ cuisine. While any new food can seem intimidating, going in with a basic knowledge of the available options may help you feel more confident when ordering. When you’re at a Hawaiian restaurant, get one of these traditional dishes.

4 Authentic Hawaiian Dishes You Should Try

1. Poi

Poi is a purple, starchy dish that has a mild, sour taste due to its fermentation. It’s made from the roots of the taro plant, which is a vegetable similar to yams. This Hawaiian side dish is commonly served with other traditional foods, like kalua pork.

2. Lau Lau

Like poi, lau lau is also made from the taro plant, but it incorporates the leaves instead of the root. This authentic dish features pork wrapped in taro leaves. The bundle is steamed to give the meat a soft, tender texture, and it’s typically eaten with hot white rice.

3. Poke

Hawaii is known for its fresh seafood, and many islanders eat poke. In this dish, raw fish is cubed, seasoned with sea salt, and eaten with or without white rice. Ahi is commonly used for this dish, but many eateries also serve salmon or hamachi.

4. Spam®

This canned meat is a staple across the state, and many locals eat it with rice. The salty meat is always sliced and fried until it’s a bit crispy. Modern Hawaiian restaurants serve this protein in innovative ways, like Spam benedicts and breakfast sandwiches.

If you want to try any of these classic foods, head to Aloha Mixed Plate in Maui, HI. This Hawaiian restaurant has created tasty, farm-to-table dishes since 1996. They serve island classics with a modern flair and are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. View their menu online, or call (808) 661-3322 to make a reservation.