Edible Honolulu

Another popular local invention is the loco moco, a hamburger laid in a bowl of rice covered with a fried egg and a scoop of gravy. You can get the dish at almost … every lunch place, drive in, and takeout restaurant, and there are many permutations. Though Hawaiians all have their personal preference for the best loco moco, Zippy's serves a standard version acceptable to most. [link]

Another popular local invention is the loco moco, a hamburger laid in a bowl of rice covered with a fried egg and a scoop of gravy. You can get the dish at almost … every lunch place, drive in, and takeout restaurant, and there are many permutations. Though Hawaiians all have their personal preference for the best loco moco, Zippy's serves a standard version acceptable to most. [link]

Another popular local invention is the loco moco, a hamburger laid in a bowl of rice covered with a fried egg and a scoop of gravy. You can get the dish at almost … every lunch place, drive in, and takeout restaurant, and there are many permutations. Though Hawaiians all have their personal preference for the best loco moco, Zippy's serves a standard version acceptable to most. [link]

An excellent gourmet shop, Tamura's has a wide range of wines, an extensive poke bar, and a small but choice selection of cheese. [link]

One of Hawaii's strange and beloved "delicacies" is Spam musubi, a snack made of rice, Spam, and black seaweed. Though the inclusion of Spam seems strange, Hawaiians consume over 6 millions cans of the pork product every year, and it's even on the menu at the local McDonalds. Locals say Tamashiro Market has the best Spam musubi, as theirs … is flecked with a blend of different seaweeds and seasoned with sesame. [link]

With its island setting and proximity to Japan, Hawaii has a good number of excellent sushi restaurants. One of the local upscale favorites is Sasabune, which … only serves omakase style meals. The fish are fresh, the sauces subtle. [link]

One of the few restaurants in town that serves traditional, authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Specialties include laulau, poi, pipikaula, Kahlua pig, and Lomi salmon. … There's always a huge line, making takeout a popular compromise. [link]

Many dishes in Hawaii have been influenced by foreign cuisine but found forms of their own. For example malasadas -- Hawaiian donuts -- are influenced by Portugal … but can't be found there in this form. Leonard's Bakery serves malasadas right out of the fryer ... original, cinnamon, custard-filled, chocolate-filled, and coconut cream varieties. And you can get over a dozen for less than $12. [link]

Roasting Kona coffee beans exclusively, Honolulu Coffee exports all over the world, but it's best to get the thick java right at the source. Their indoor/outdoor … café offers a wide variety of coffee options, from a regular joe to an iced mocha or Italian soda. [link]

Roasting Kona coffee beans exclusively, Honolulu Coffee exports all over the world, but it's best to get the thick java right at the source. Their indoor/outdoor … café offers a wide variety of coffee options, from a regular joe to an iced mocha or Italian soda. [link]

For fresh locally raised food to cook at home, check out the farmer's market held every week at the Kapiolani Community College. It's co-sponsored by the Culinary … Institute of the Pacific. Vendors sell sausage, baked goods, fresh mozzarella, Hawaiian hearts of palm, avocados, and a variety of other products. [link]

Made locally from island ingredients, Bubbies ice cream is a foodie favorite. They make ice cream (try the delectable little balls of mochi flavor) and sorbets. … They now provide desserts to a number of the nearby restaurants and were even mentioned on Oprah. [link]

Tourists from all around make it a point to visit Alan Wong's, and it consistently makes the top of the city's "best restaurant" lists. Crowds and waits can be … considerable, but they're often worth it. Wong's serves creative dishes made from local ingredients, such as fresh poke with at least a dozen condiments to mochi-crusted opakapaka and steak from the Maui Cattle Company [link]