12 Dishes Every Traveler to Kauaʻi Should Try
From Hanalei to Hanapēpē, you’ll want to pull over occasionally to get a proper taste of Kauaʻi.
The Garden Isle is a visitor-favorite thanks to its lush landscapes, uncrowded beaches and easygoing vibe—all elements of an idyllic vacation. To top it all off, the island is also known for a few signature dishes, too.
From kūlolo to flying saucers, bookmark these iconic foods from Kauaʻi that you need to try.
1. Satisfying saimin from Hamura’s Saimin Stand
Hamura’s Saimin Stand serves some of the best bowls of this unique-to-Hawaiʻi noodle dish.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
This eatery has been a hidden gem in the heart of Līhuʻe since 1951. And it doesn’t appear like much has changed in the restaurant—usually a promising sign that the food won’t disappoint. Hamura’s Saimin Stand serves some of the best bowls of this unique-to-Hawaiʻi noodle dish.
2956 Kress St., Līhuʻe
READ MORE: 11 Noodle Dishes You’ll Find in Hawaiʻi
2. Fluffy lilikoʻi chiffon pie from Hamura’s Saimin Stand
After feasting on a hearty bowl of saimin, order the lilikoʻi chiffon pie Hamura’s Saimin Stand.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Hamura’s Saimin Stand has two standout dishes that you need to try while on Kauaʻi. After feasting on a hearty bowl of saimin, order the lilikoʻi chiffon pie. Its cloudlike texture is super light and its fruity lilikoʻi flavor is just tart enough.
2956 Kress St., Līhuʻe
3. Out-of-this-world UFOs (aka Goteborg musubi)
Although Goteborg musubis can be found throughout Hawaiʻi, the treat is largely associated with Kauaʻi. Akin to the more familiar Spam musubi, this version swaps the canned meat for thin slices of Goteborg sausage, a German meat that looks like salami. The round cuts of meat are topped with rice and furikake earning it the UFO nickname. You can find this island specialty at local grocery stores like Sueoka Market in Kōloa.
Multiple locations
4. Cheesy Flying Saucer from Stan’s Kauaʻi Flying Saucers
And speaking of flying saucers, like the Goteborg musubi, no one quite knows the origins of the flying saucer sandwich. There is some debate if the dish was created on Kauaʻi or Maui. Regardless, you’re going to want to take a bite of these cheesy, meaty pockets. Sandwiched between two slices of white bread is a sloppy Joe filling that’s covered with American cheese. It’s then pressed in a pie iron over a flaming hot grill, which seals in the gooey filling. You can find this Kauaʻi delicacy at farmers markets and festivals throughout the year and businesses like Stan’s Kauaʻi Flying Saucers specialize in the dish. Along with the classic version, the local company also offers creative takes on the sandwich, with options that include slow-roasted pork, turkey and pesto, and even a sweet-filled flying saucer.
5. A brick of Kauaʻi kūlolo
Kauaʻi is known for producing some of the best kūlolo, a sweet dessert made from kalo, coconut milk and sugar.
Photo: Noelle Fujii-Oride
You can find kūlolo on just about every Hawaiian Island, but Kauaʻi is known for producing some of the best. The simple Hawaiian staple is made from mashed kalo (taro), coconut milk and sugar. The dense dessert almost tastes like coconut fudge. You can pick up a brick of kūlolo at grocery stores and it’s common to see roadside stands selling the popular treat, too.
READ MORE: Crazy for Kūlolo, Kauaʻi’s Staple Dessert
6. Fresh poi from Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
Made from kalo, poi and kūlolo are staple Hawaiian foods. The island of Kauaʻi is the state’s largest producer of kalo.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Heather Goodman/@hbgoodie
Poi is a staple Hawaiian food made from pounding a mixture of cooked kalo and water. Like kūlolo, poi is a popular dish prepared and devoured on every Hawaiian island. But with just one ingredient, quality matters. And Kauaʻi is known for its kalo. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kauaʻi is the state’s largest producer of kalo, accounting for nearly 70% of the state’s annual harvest. And much of the kalo grown on the Garden Isle hails from Hanalei.
Lyndsey Haraguchi Nakayama is a sixth-generation farmer on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. Her family started Hanalei Taro & Juice Co., a farm-to-table food truck that sells foods made from kalo grown on the family farm.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Heather Goodman/@hbgoodie
Since 1924, the Haraguchi family has been farming taro on Kauaʻi’s North Shore. In 2000, the family started Hanalei Taro & Juice Co., a farm-to-table food truck that sells foods made from kalo grown on the sixth-generation farm. Of course, you can pick up pounds of poi, too.
5-5070 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei, hanaleitaro.com
7. Ultrafine crisps from Kauaʻi Taro Ko Chips
The chips dusted in li hing mui powder from Taro Ko Chips are a must-try.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Located on the outskirts of Hanapēpē, Taro Ko Chips is one of the island’s top treasures. In an old plantation cottage, you’ll find some of the best taro and sweet potato chips in Hawaiʻi. Back in 1985, taro farmers Shoichi and Shinko Nagamine started the business using taro grown in Hanapēpē Valley. Today, their son Dale runs the business, which is a cult favorite for its ultrafine, crispy slivers of taro and sweet potatoes. The chips dusted in li hing mui powder are a must-try. Taro Ko Chips a true old-school institution, so it’s cash only and you’re out of luck if they sell out.
3940 Hanapēpē Road
READ MORE: Chips and Dale: The Tasty Handmade Chips of Kauaʻi’s Taro Ko
8. Famous mixed plate from Mark’s Place
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Just a 10-minute drive from the airport, Mark’s Place is a great spot to visit once you’ve arrived on the Garden Isle—especially if you’re hungry. Here, you can fuel up on generous portions of local-style Hawaiian food. The famous mixed plate includes chicken katsu, teriyaki beef and beef stew, plus rice and potato macaroni salad on the side.
1610 Haleukana St., Līhuʻe, marksplacekauai.com
9. Fresh poke bowl from Konohiki Seafoods
This hole-in-the-wall seafood spot is a must-visit for its grab-and-go bentos, sushi, nigiri and poke bowls. At the base of each bowl is sushi rice, generously topped with your choice of poke. There’s no seating at Konohiki Seafoods, but that’s no problem. Just grab your food and head to one of the island’s picturesque beaches.
3-4301 Kūhiō Highway, Līhuʻe
10. Heavenly doughnuts from Holey Grail Donuts
Holey Grail Donuts makes its treats with Hawaiʻi-grown kalo.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The holy grail of vegan doughnuts can be found in a red trailer in Hanalei. Made to order, Holey Grail Donuts whips up unbelievably fresh doughnuts, served hot. The doughnuts are prepared with Hawaiʻi-grown kalo, fried in coconut oil and flavored with local ingredients including chocolate from Lydgate Farms and vanilla from Lāʻie Vanilla Co.
5-5100 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei, holeygraildonuts.com
READ MORE: This Kauaʻi Bakery May Be the ‘Holy Grail’ of Artisanal, Plant-Based Doughnuts
11. Açaí bowl with a view from Nourish Hanalei
Nourish Hanalei is perched above the island’s north shore and makes next level açaí bowls.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Lunch and a view are served at Nourish Hanalei—and they’re both incredible. This family farm stand, which was started by three sisters, is perched above Hanalei and makes next level açaí bowls, topped with homemade granola, coconut shreds, goji berries and local fruit.
5225 Hanalei Plantation Road, Princeville, nourishhanalei.com
READ MORE: Why Hanalei is One of Hawaiʻi’s Best Towns
12. Loaded shave ice from Wailua Shave Ice
Wailua Shave Ice is known for serving bowls of fluffy, ultrasoft shave ice. The Almond Joy combination is topped with Nutella-roased coconut flakes.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Heather Goodman/@hbgoodie
Wailua Shave Ice is known for serving bowls of fluffy, ultrasoft shave ice doused in gourmet flavors and topped with haupia foam. This shave ice stand first started in a food truck but recently moved into a storefront in Kapaʻa. Creative combinations at Wailua Shave Ice include ube with coconut milk, a lava flow with pineapple juice, and an almond joy with Nutella-roasted coconut flakes.
4-831 Kūhiō Highway, Kapaʻa, wailuashaveice.com
