Faremax: Travel Forums

Is Hawaiian Food found in Hawaii much different than the type of Hawaiian food one would find in Hawaiian restaurants stateside?

Perhaps the way it is cooked, it would be the same way but the freshness and the authenticity of the ingredients, there will be a difference from those which are actually in Hawaii considering the distance of the places compared.

I just had a char siu sandwich from a convienence store today and it was abominable.

Depends on what you're looking for.  The fruit is absolutely to die for in Hawaii.  It's so fresh it's like getting a B12 shot as soon as you take a bite.  And it's plentiful everywhere.  Stateside dishes are a bit more expensive and not nearly as good (steaks, etc.) as they have to be shipped over most of the time and thus have to be frozen in the process. 

hahaha b12 shot, nice comparison..hmm then i gotta try some of that fruit!! but does it HAVE to be eaten in hawaii or can you get some of that stuff thats, "shipped from hawaii"

Hawaii is definitely a place I want to be visiting soon!

It's best when eaten in Hawaii of course, but getting it shipped from an actual supplier in Hawaii is very close.  I would suggest looking online for some authentic Hawaiian suppliers though, and avoid the big ones like Del Monte in favor of the more mom and pop type places.  They are more likely to be as fresh as possible because they don't sit in boxes after harvesting waiting to be shipped somewhere.

just as a funny aside -my husband grew up in hawaii and integrated much of the local culture into his daily life.  he was a white kid from an upper-middle class home, so as far as traditional culture is concerned he had less exposure to that food ("howlie" i think is the term for whites).  but everyone -everyone- apparently ate spam!  its even on the menu at mcdonalds (spam, rice, egg)!  he still makes it for breakfast on the weekends!