Traditional Hawaiian cuisine typically features simple ingredients, as most Hawaiians historically used their natural resources to create dishes. For instance, one traditional method for preparing meat is by cooking it in an underground pit lined with rocks heated by fire, known as an imu. Today, many authentic Hawaiian cooking methods are still practiced at gatherings such as luaus, though they incorporate more variety in their flavorings.

5 Ways to Enhance Hawaiian Cuisine

1. Sea Salt

Early Hawaiians gathered their salt from the sea. After high tide, pools of saltwater would evaporate on rocks, leaving behind crystallized salt that was used to season breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and taro. Sea salt is still the primary seasoning used in authentic Hawaiian dishes today.

2. Limu

Edible limu are species of algae or seaweed that added nutrients to diets rich in fish and poi. Now, limu are sold in Hawaiian supermarkets and used to add flavor to stews, salads, and other dishes. Limu are also nutrient-rich with vitamins A, B12, C, and riboflavin.

3. Five-Spice Powder

Over the years, Asian influences began to shape local foods, so many Asian spices began to make their way into Hawaiian dishes. Five-spice powder, which hails from China, encompasses sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami notes to give dishes a complex flavor. It’s often made with star anise, cloves, fennel seeds, Chinese cinnamon, and Sichuan pepper.

4. Huli-Huli Sauce

Huli-huli means “turn-turn” in Hawaiian, which referred to the need to rotate meat as it cooked over a fire pit. Today, huli-huli chicken is a popular dish that may feature ingredients such as brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and fresh ginger.   

5. Chili Pepper Water

Hawaii’s version of hot sauce, this condiment adds a rich, spicy flavor to dishes like poke but is deceptively simple in nature. It’s made by boiling Hawaiian chili peppers in water and adding a bit of salt and vinegar.

If you’re seeking an immersive experience where you can enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, head to Experience Nutridge. Offering an intimate, laid-back luau with engaging stories and games, this team will help you create rich memories at a beautiful historic site in Honolulu. Book your experience online or by calling (808) 531-5050.