When you’re craving authentic Hawaiian party food, check out the incredible online selection offered by Hawaii Food Products, based in Waipahu. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or hosting a bigger get-together, here are a few of their most popular meats to include in the meal. 

4 Popular Meats in Hawaii

1. Kalua Pork & Chicken 

Kalua pork and chicken are traditionally prepared in an underground oven called an Imu. After digging a hole in the ground, it is filled with keawe wood and topped with lava rocks.  

The keawe wood is set on fire to heat the rocks until red-hot. Banana stumps and leaves are placed on the rocks and remaining wood coals to create steam. A whole pig or chicken is then roasted in the Imu under more banana leaves and covered with dirt to seal in the steam and keawe smoke.  In modern times, wet burlap bags are placed on the banana stump and leaves to enhance moisture, along with plastic tarps.  The ends of the tarps are covered with dirt to create an air-tight seal.

After cooking the meat for 10-12 hours, removed, deboned, and shredded. Kalua pork and/or chicken are usually eaten with poi and/or rice, Lau Lau, Lomi Salmon, and can also be enjoyed in sandwiches or salads. 

2. Char Siu

A Chinese preparation, char siu is roasted pork glazed with a sweet sauce. Unlike other varieties of pork, char siu only uses tender, boneless pork, and the meat is carefully marinated in spices. Char siu frequently accompanies other meats or noodle dishes like saimin, chow fun, fried rice or fried noodles. 

3. Roast Pork

If you want a party food to suit everyone’s taste, get roast pork. Broiled over an open flame, roast pork is typically served whole after it’s roasted, giving people the chance to enjoy large cuts of tender, delicious meat. Roast pork can also be prepared with flavors like garlic, vinegar, black pepper, salt, cilantro, orange juice, and lime and served as Lechón style. 

4. Portuguese Sausage

Portuguese sausage is made with garlic, paprika, and smoke-cured pork. With a firm, crunchy texture, it can be enjoyed as a main dish alongside white rice, a breakfast meat, or in slices as a snack. Since Portuguese Sausage is fully cooked, it just needs to be pan fried to reheat and it’s ready to serve. 

Order these party foods from Hawaii Food Products for your next event. Since 1955, this USDA-approved food supplier has partnered with local farmers and used age-old recipes to create delicious, authentic Hawaiian and local foods that are shipped all over the world. Since they never use shortcuts like liquid smoke, they’re a reliable partner for restaurants and hotels across Oahu. Order smoked meats and other party foods online or by calling (808) 676-9100.