10 Must-Try Foods On O’ahu Hawaii

Oʻahu isn't just an island of turquoise beaches and swaying palms — it's a culinary paradise you’ll never forget. Every dish here isn’t just delicious, it’s a slice of culture, a story told through flavor. Below are 10 must-try foods on Oʻahu, each one accompanied by a genuine review, bursting with real taste and real experience.

10 Must-try Foods in O'ahu, Hawaii

1. Poke 

Poke – The Ocean’s Purest Flavor

Unlike Japanese sashimi or Peruvian ceviche, Hawaiian poke is a bold fusion of freshness and flavor. Cubes of glistening ahi tuna, perfectly diced, are marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and a dash of chili. The fish is sweet, cool, and buttery-soft, lifted by the earthy aroma of roasted sesame and the well-balanced salty-sweet marinade.

Where to try it: Ono Seafood, Honolulu – so fresh it feels like they caught it behind the shop.

2. Loco Moco 

Loco Moco - Hawaiian Iconic Classic Comfort Food

Imagine a hot plate of white rice topped with a thick, juicy hamburger patty, a runny fried egg, and blanketed in rich, silky brown gravy. The taste is a beautiful collision of savory, umami, creamy, and slightly sweet, each bite wrapping you in a warm, edible hug.

Get it at: Rainbow Drive-In – no frills, just generations of locals growing up on this iconic dish.

3. Kalua Pig 

Kalua Pig - a traditional Hawaiian dish

Slow-roasted in an underground imu oven for hours, Kalua pig is tender, smoky, and deeply rooted in tradition. With subtle notes of banana leaves and earthy ash, the meat pulls apart effortlessly. It’s so flavorful, you won’t even need sauce.
 

Try it at: Mauka Warriors Luau – not just a place to eat, but to feel Hawaiian culture in every bite.

4. Garlic Shrimp

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp is Onolicious!
 

Plump, meaty shrimp seared until the shell is lightly charred, then drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce that fills the air before you even taste it. Served with plain white rice, it becomes a full sensory experience — buttery, salty, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more.

Try it at: Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck – no fancy tables needed, just a beat-up truck and sizzling shrimp.

5. Malasadas 

Malasadas – A Sweet Kiss from Portugal

Golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy as clouds inside, rolled in fine sugar or filled with cool custard or chocolate. With each bite, the crunch of sugar gives way to a warm interior or a surprise of creamy filling — like a childhood memory, but better than any doughnut you’ve had.

Try it at: Leonard’s Bakery – you’ll smell it before you see it… and you’ll follow your nose.

6. Shave Ice 

Shave Ice - A Frozen Hawaii

Not your average snow cone — this is ultra-fine, snow-like ice, drenched in tropical syrups like lilikoi (passion fruit), guava, or li hing mui (salted plum). Add vanilla ice cream or condensed milk and you get a layered flood of sweet, tangy, icy freshness that melts like paradise on your tongue.

Try it at: Matsumoto Shave Ice – famous, for good reason.

7. Spam Musubi 

Spam Musubi – The Strange Snack Everyone Loves

A slice of crispy spam, laid over sticky rice and wrapped in seaweed — it may sound odd, but it’s shockingly satisfying. Salty, slightly smoky meat meets warm, chewy rice and the umami of nori in one perfect hand-held bite.

Available island-wide, but especially good at local gems like Musubi Cafe Iyasume.

8. Laulau 

Laulau – Meat and Leaves in Earthy Harmony

Pork or fish wrapped in several layers of taro leaves, then steamed until the meat is fall-apart tender and the leaves have melted into buttery green silk. It’s rich and earthy, somewhat like pork braised in banana leaf, but cleaner, more refined. It might surprise your palate — and then win it over.

Try it at: Mauka Warriors Luau – a staple dish of traditional Hawaiian feasts.

9. Saimin 

Saimin – Hawaii’s Noodle Bowl of Comfort

Not quite ramen, not quite pho — saimin hits a sweet spot with its mild, savory broth, soft noodles, and toppings like char siu, egg, or spam. It’s the ultimate late-night bowl — warm, gentle, and unmistakably Hawaiian.

Try it at: Palace Saimin – this unchanged classic has been serving since 1946.

10. Haupia 

Haupia – The Coconut Kiss After Dinner

Traditional coconut milk pudding, chilled and silky-smooth, with just the right touch of sweetness. Light, refreshing, and perfect to end a hearty meal — haupia tastes like a cool ocean breeze wrapped in coconut cream.

Best served at a traditional luau, like Mauka Warriors Luau, where every dish has a story.

Why Mauka Warriors Luau is a Culinary Highlight for Families

One of the most memorable parts of the Mauka Warriors Luau is, without a doubt, the food. At Mauka, the cuisine is treated as an extension of the culture — authentic, soulful, and made with intention.

The traditional Hawaiian dishes are served fresh, generously portioned, and artfully presented. The kalua pig, slow-roasted in an imu earth oven, arrives steaming and fork-tender — it melts into smoky, savory perfection. The laulau, wrapped in taro leaves, carries the quiet elegance of old Hawaiian cooking, while the accompanying taro and sweet potato sides offer a mild, earthy balance.

For vegetarians, the spread includes stir-fried island vegetables, tofu with ginger-soy glaze, tropical fruit platters, and even a vegan laulau option made with mushrooms and root vegetables. The dishes are flavorful.

The food is not overly spicy, and there's always a variety of mild, kid-friendly options like grilled chicken skewers, coconut rice, and sweet pineapple slices. Even picky eaters tend to fall in love with the desserts — from haupia coconut pudding to fresh banana lumpia with honey drizzle.

In short, Mauka Warriors Luau is a heartfelt, flavorful gathering where every guest, no matter their diet or age, finds something to savor.
 

Each dish on Oʻahu is a chapter in Hawaii’s culinary story. Whether you're cruising up to the North Shore, wandering Honolulu’s night markets, or sitting by torchlight at the Mauka Warriors Luau, remember: to truly understand an island, you have to taste it.