10 More Tasty Hawaiʻi Treats Under $5
It might be expensive getting to the Islands, but you can definitely eat for cheap.
The food options in Hawaiʻi are as plentiful as palm trees. You can find everything from pricey prix fixe menus to vegan hot dogs. And you don’t have to spend a lot to eat in the Islands. Many local favorites are under $5—and worth every penny.
1. Maple bacon doughnut from Donut King on Oʻahu, $4.50
Maple bacon doughnuts from Donut King.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
There are few doughnuts that double as full-on breakfast meals—and this one from Donut King is one of them. Each fluffy yeast doughnut is topped with a thick maple glaze and crispy bacon. Real bacon. It’s a complete meal in itself. (And good luck just eating one!) 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., #201A, Honolulu, (808) 258-4119
2. Guri guri from Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui, $1.40 for 2 scoops
Get guri guri at Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
You can’t visit Maui without stopping at the century-old Tasaka Guri Guri Shop. It’s known for something called guri guri, a frozen dessert that’s a cross between sherbet and ice cream. You can get it in only two flavors: strawberry and pineapple. 70 E. Kaʻahumanu Ave. # C13, Kahului, (808) 871-4513
3. Slice of chocolate haupia cream pie from Ted’s Bakery on Oʻahu, $4.36
Chocolate-haupia pie from Ted’s Bakery on Oʻahu.
Photo: Courtesy of Ted’s Bakery
Since 1987 Ted’s Bakery has been a landmark on Oʻahu’s North Shore. One of its most popular pies is its chocolate-haupia pie, sold as full pies or slices at this family-owned bakery. The silky chocolate pudding layer perfectly compliments the coconut-y layer of haupia. Today, the bakery serves way more than pies; its menu includes garlic shrimp plates, loco moco and various desserts. In 2022, the company decided to end the wholesale operations of its pies. Meaning you can now only get them at its North Shore location. 59-024 Kamehameha Highway, Haleʻiwa, (808) 638-8207, tedsbakery.com
4. Gravy fries at Rainbow Drive-In on Oʻahu, $4.75
Gravy fries from Rainbow Drive-In.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
The decades-old drive-in on Kapahulu Avenue recently expanded its menu to include fried waffles, chili tater tots and these gravy fries. It’s really just a plate of french fries topped with Rainbow’s signature brown gravy—made from scratch! It’s a hearty snack, perfect for a quick post-beach nosh. Various locations, rainbowdrivein.com
5. Barbecue burger at Shige’s Saimin Stand, $4.75
Barbecue burger from Shige’s Saimin Stand.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
This local saimin stand—one of only a handful left on Oʻahu—specializes in saimin, a Hawaiʻi-only noodle dish. (The noodles are still made in house.) But Shige serves a great barbecue burger, too, hand-shaped and perfectly charred. It’s on the smaller side for a reason: You’re suppose to eat this burger with a bowl of saimin. But honestly, it’s great on its own. 70 Kukui St., Wahiawā, (808) 621-3621
6. Baked char siu manapua at Royal Kitchen on Oʻahu, $2.29
Char siu manapua from Royal Kitchen.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Open in 1974 Royal Kitchen, just outside Chinatown on Oʻahu, was one of the first shops in Honolulu to offer baked bao (buns) instead of the more common steams ones. Its baked char siu manapua—bun filled with a sweet pork—is one of its most popular. (Other flavors include kālua pig, hot dog, chicken curry, lup cheong and Okinawan sweet potato.) 100 N. Beretania St., Suite 175 Honolulu, (808) 524-4461, royalkitchenhawaii.com
7. Ube malasada from Kauaʻi Bakery & Coffee on Kauaʻi, $2.85
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This Kauaʻi bakery has long been known for its cinnamon rolls. But lately it’s the malasadas—a Portuguese yeast doughnut doused in white sugar—that has been luring customers. In fact, Kauaʻi Bakery dethroned Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu in 2021 for Best Malasadas in our annual Reader’s Choice Awards. The vibrant purple ube—a Filipino purple yam—is fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. 3-2600 Kaumualiʻi Highway, Suite 1526, Līhuʻe, (808) 320-3434, mykauaibakery.com
8. Boiled peanuts from Alicia’s Market on Oʻahu, $5
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Boiled peanuts are unique to the Islands, seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt, ginger, star anise and black peppercorns. Alicia’s Market in Kalihi makes some of the best boiled peanuts around—tender, sweet, juicy and aromatic. They’re great for snacking in the car, at the beach or at sporting events. 267 Mokauea St., Honolulu, (808) 841-1921, aliciasmarket.com
Read More: Hidden Gems: Alicia’s Market on Oʻahu
9. Scone, Pai Café on O’ahu, $3.95
Assorted scones at Pai Café.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Husband-and-wife Micah and Sun Young, who had met working at a college coffee bar, opened Pai Café on Kapahulu Avenue in October 2023. It’s a small, 600-square-foot shop, with a few tables and distinctive Tiffany-blue walls. The menu is small — but enough. Espresso drinks, brewed coffee, smoothies, and açaí and pitaya bowls. And there are the scones. Five different flavors. All delicious. 755 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, @paicafehonolulu
10. Baked salmon musubi, Mana Musubi on Oʻahu, $2.50
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Mana Musubi is a small shop in Honolulu that serves one thing: musubi (or rice balls). While its Spam musubi is—of course—its most popular, second is the baked salmon, matched with high-quality Japanese rice. The musubi are made fresh daily. Go early though; the musubi sells out quickly. 1618 S. King St., Honolulu, (808) 358-0287, hawaiimusubi.com
