What kinds of food do Hawaiians eat?
The diversity of Hawaii’s population is reflected in the diversity of its food. Native Polynesian dishes share the table with those of more recent arrivals, combining to produce a cuisine that’s truly Hawaiian.Native FoodsThe Polynesian seafarers who first settled Hawaii brought with them staples such as taro root, pork and tuna. Today, you find diced tuna in poke, a raw fish salad, while poi, or mashed taro root, is still highly treasured.Asian FoodsAsian immigrants have been coming to Hawaii since the 18th century, bringing their cuisines along. Japanese sushi, Chinese roast pork and Korean kimchi (pickled vegetables) can all be found in a typical Hawaiian supermarket.Portuguese FoodsPortuguese immigrants from the Azores also have added their foods to the Hawaiian menu, including codfish cakes, bean soup, and a hot-and-sour sauce called peri peri.Hawaii and SpamSpam, a well-known brand of canned ham, came to Hawaii after World War II, and today is one of Hawaii’s most beloved foods.
