The cheapest luau in Oahu is not only inexpensive but also worthwhile. Mauka Warriors Luau is the balanced choice between cost and a complete experience.
A luau feast will not be complete if Poi is not on the table. Not a luxurious delicacy, Poi is a very simple, rustic dish, yet extremely important in Hawaiian culinary culture. At Mauka Warriors Luau, you will not only enjoy famous dishes but also have the chance to experience poi, a symbol of traditional Hawaiian food. This article will also guide you on how to make Poi simply at home for those visitors impressed with this dish.
What is Poi?
If you have ever attended a Hawaiian luau, you will certainly hear about poi. This is not only a dish but also a part of the soul of Hawaiian culture. Poi is made from taro, a root grown in wet fields, regarded by the Polynesian people as a treasure of heaven and earth.
Poi is a famous Hawaiian local food
Poi has a slightly sour, soft, and sticky flavor. For ancient Hawaiians, taro was not simply daily sustenance. They believed the taro plant had a sacred connection with ancestors, even appearing in myths passed down through generations. Because of this, poi became a symbol linking humans with their origins and with nature.
How to Make Poi
To make poi, ancient Hawaiians often started with freshly harvested taro roots. The roots were steamed or baked until soft, keeping their natural sweet and nutty taste.
After that, the taro was placed on a flat stone board and pounded with a traditional wooden pestle. When the taro was smooth, water was slowly added, stirred until it became a thick, sticky, smooth mixture.
Poi is made from mashed taro
Interestingly, poi also has different thickness levels, and Hawaiians jokingly name them by the number of “fingers” needed to scoop it:
One-finger poi: thick, sticky, you only need one finger to scoop.
Two-finger poi: thinner, smoother, easier to eat, usually scooped with two fingers.
Three-finger poi: the thinnest, smooth like porridge, needing three fingers to scoop.
And especially, since poi can lightly ferment if left for a while, it also has a natural tangy flavor, making it a unique dish unlike anything else in Hawaiian food.
What Is Poi Eaten With?
You may wonder, Poi seems quite simple to make, and if eaten alone, it may not feel very special. But sit at a luau feast table, and you will see its role as the perfect “companion” to many signature dishes in Hawaiian food. Hawaiians often eat poi to soften the richness, saltiness, or boldness of main dishes, creating a perfect balance in the meal.
Some dishes often eaten with poi, which you will surely encounter at Mauka Warriors Luau, include:
Kalua pig: pork slow-cooked in an imu earth oven, tender, smoky, and rich. Poi balances the heaviness, letting you enjoy it endlessly.
Lomi salmon: fresh salmon salad mixed with tomato and onion, salty and refreshing, combined with poi’s tangy taste creates a special harmony.
Laulau: pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. This traditional dish, when eaten with poi, becomes lighter and easier to enjoy.
Poke: marinated raw fish – a dish now famous worldwide. When paired with poi, the fresh fish flavor is elevated but still refreshing.
Poi and other dishes
This combination not only makes the meal more harmonious in flavor but also helps visitors truly understand why poi is called the soul of the Hawaiian luau table. Each spoon of poi eaten with traditional dishes is a journey into Hawaiian cuisine: rich with meat, fresh with fish, tangy with poi. All together creating a very distinctive taste of Hawaii.
Experience Poi at Mauka Warriors Luau
At the buffet party at Mauka Warriors Luau, you will enjoy this wonderful combination. This is truly the essence of Hawaiian cuisine discovered long ago. Amidst an atmosphere filled with Polynesian music and lively hula dances, a simple bowl of poi combined with savory dishes brings an explosive feeling.
Come to Mauka Warriors Luau and experience the food
From the lush taro fields, to the diligent hands pounding the root into a sticky dish, to the moment when the whole family gathers around the meal. That light sourness and smooth stickiness not only awaken your taste buds but also tell you the story of how Hawaiians respect nature and preserve a culinary heritage hundreds of years old.
If you are looking for an authentic and complete Hawaiian luau, where music, dance, and food blend into one, then Mauka Warriors Luau is definitely a stop not to be missed in your journey exploring Hawaiian food on the island of Oʻahu.
See more detail about Mauka Warriors Luau ticket packages here.
