Top Hawaiian Buffet Party Food

Delve into Hawaii’s interesting culinary scene. Highlight how multiple cultures exist in Hawaii, creating an exciting culinary journey. Highlight unique items you might find on Waikiki Luau and Pacific Star Buffet.

Hawaii has an interesting, unique culinary scene, blending foods from multiple cultures to create an exciting culinary journey that’s like nothing else you’ve ever tasted.

A Mix of Culinary Traditions

Hawaii’s culinary culture is a mix of traditions from the many people that have settled here. For instance, the first settlers in Hawaii — the ancient Polynesians — brought some staples of Hawaiian cuisine, including taro, sweet potatoes, and breadfruit. The Polynesians’ use of the imu (an underground oven) started the distinctive Hawaiian cooking method known as kalua, frequently used to cook kalua pig, a luau centerpiece.

When immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Portugal came to work in Hawaii’s thriving sugar plantations, each group brought their own culinary traditions with them, creating a delicious fusion on the islands. The Chinese introduced manapua, a version of their steamed pork buns, while the Japanese influenced dishes like poke, a mixture of raw fish, salt, seaweed, soy sauce, and green onions.

When the U.S. annexed the islands the late 19^th century, they introduced Spam, a canned ham-like meat. Over time it became a staple in local cuisine, blending seamlessly with other cultural influences. A popular example of this fusion is Spam musubi which combines Japanese sushi-style rice and seaweed with Spam. In fact, Hawaii has the highest per capita consumption of Spam in the United States. The annual Waikiki Spam Jam, held on Kalakaua Avenue, is one of Oahu’s most celebrated food festivals — closing the street to traffic and transforming it into a pedestrian-only celebration filled with entertainment, food tents and of course, Spam dishes of all kinds.

Today, Hawaii residents and visitors feast on traditional Hawaiian foods like poi, kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia as well as a long list of island favorites that are now as embedded in Hawaiian culture as hula dancing, ‘ukelele music, and surfing!

Enjoy Traditional, Hawaiian Foods

Attend a traditional Hawaiian luau, and the centerpiece of the meal will likely be a whole roasted Luau Pig or Kalua Pig, pork slow cooked in an imu (underground oven), then shredded. Also, Poi, a traditional Hawaiian dish made from mashed taro root, is a popular Hawaiian party food. Taro is an important part of Hawaiian culture, believed to be the firstborn offspring of the god Kane, the creator of sunshine and fresh water. Since Poi is made from taro, it’s considered to be a sacred dish.

Hawaii has an abundance of comfort food. When you want a big, hearty meal, try Loco Moco, a bed of rice topped with a juicy hamburger patty, brown gravy, and topped with an over easy fried egg. Manapua, a Hawaiian spin on the Chinese steamed pork bun, is a scrumptious, fluffy, steamed treat. Saimin, a noodle soup, is often referred to as “Hawaiian ramen.” It’s made with thin, slightly curly noodles, served in a broth with toppings like char siu (barbecued pork), Spam (canned meat), and kamaboko (Japanese fish cake) and green onions.

Fresh Seafood is Beloved – and Abundant – Here

Fresh seafood is beloved — and abundant — in Hawaii. Poke, found in every grocery store and many restaurant menus, is made with freshly diced raw fish (often ahi tuna or salmon), mixed with salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, and toppings like seaweed, avocado, edamame, and spicy mayo. Lomi Lomi Salmon is a delicious side dish made with salted salmon, tomato, and sweet bulb onion.

The fish tacos here prepared differently than they are cooked elsewhere in the U.S. Unlike the versions served on the mainland, Hawaiian fish tacos typically aren’t coated in breading. The fresh fish gets a quick coating of spices before grilling, and Hawaiians often top their tacos with tropical, fresh salsa made with mango or local pineapple.

Sample Other Hawaiian Delicacies

Huli Huli Chicken is a wonderfully fragrant dish served at restaurants and roadside stands. Huli, which means “to turn,” is the key to a successful Huli Huli Chicken. It’s important to turn the chicken properly to keep the sweet soy sauce marinade from burning, and to ensure the sugars in the sauce caramelize. Shoyu Chicken is another beloved chicken dish, where chicken thighs are soaked in a sweet, spicy soy sauce marinade, then grilled or cooked stove top, and served with rice. And Lau Lau is made with proteins (pork, chicken, beef, and fish), wrapped in Taro leaves and Ti leaves, and steamed or cooked underground for hours.

Spam musubi — or Spam-topped sushi — is made with a slice of grilled Spam, glazed with soy sauce and sugar, served sushi-style with rice. The cooked Spam tastes a bit like a thick, sweet version of a ham steak.

Enjoy a Sweet Ending

After dinner, it’s time for some decadent Hawaiian desserts, which are quite different than sweets elsewhere in the world. Be sure you save room to try them all!

Kulolo is a sweet taro and coconut milk pudding, often baked in an imu or stove. Piele is similar to kulolo, but made with sweet potato or breadfruit instead of taro. Haupia, a coconut milk custard dessert, is typically served as plain, unadorned squares. But this velvety treat can also be served as a pie or a pudding.

Malasadas, sugary doughnuts, originated with the Portuguese immigrants that came to Hawaii. At first, these doughnuts were saved for Fat Tuesday celebrations but, today, they’re served anytime. Traditional malasadas are a simple deep-fried dough rolled in sugar. Fun fact: they never have a hole in the center. Many places also offer cream- and fruit-filled versions of malasadas, as well.

Anyone that lives in Hawaii will tell you that shave ice is different — and better — than a snow cone. Shave ice is made with light, fluffy flakes of shaved ice, which absorb more of the flavored syrups than snow cones do. Syrup is carefully distributed throughout the shave ice to ensure every bite is flavorful, for a cold, light, sweet ending to any Hawaiian meal.

Enjoy Traditional Hawaiian Foods at Local Luaus

Sample traditional Hawaiian foods and islands favorites at Hawaiian Luaus, like the Waikiki Luau at the Royal Hawaiian Center! This must-attend activity includes festive live Hawaiian music and hula, plus a huge, bountiful buffet feast for dinner.

Unique items you might find on the Waikiki Luau menu include island roasted whole suckling pig, plus luau favorites like teriyaki glazed chicken, macadamia crusted fish, passion fruit roasted uala (sweet potatoes), fried noodles, and steamed white rice.

The island salad bar has delicious options made from local produce, like Hawaiian mixed greens, island-style macaroni potato salad, limu tofu poke, among other fresh offerings.

Desserts include a seasonal fresh tropical fruit platter, chocolate dobash (layered) cake, coconut haupia, fruit sorbet, and vanilla gelato.

Vegetarian and vegan selections are available on the buffet. Additionally, grilled vegan garden patties are available with 24 hours’ advanced notice.

Set Sail for The Pacific Star Buffet Cruise

Another must-do activity is setting sail on Pacific Star Buffet & Show Cruise, which includes a welcome Mai Tai, delicious dinner buffet with a prime roast beef carving station, an amazing Polynesian show, and breathtaking views of the sunset. Experience the spirit of Aloha with the friendly crew on this high-value cruise.

Guests will enjoy a variety of mouthwatering authentic Hawaiian delicacies on this bountiful buffet. In addition to the prime roast beef carving station, guests will feast on fresh fish with coconut curry sauce, baked misoyaki (miso-marinated) BBQ chicken, fried noodles, and Hawaiian potato macaroni salad.

Our talented chefs utilize locally grown fruits and vegetables to prepare the Sumida Farms watercress, tofu & beansprout salad, vine-ripened tomato & Japanese cucumber platter, mixed greens, and seasonal fresh tropical fruit platter. Freshly baked poi rolls are another buffet favorite.

After dinner, sample a variety of decadent desserts, including homemade chocolate macadamia nut brownies, coconut cake, and green tea tiramisu. While there are vegetarian and vegan items on the buffet, we can also provide a grilled vegan garden patty with 24 hours’ advanced notice.

Hawaiian cuisine is a celebration that combines traditions and cultures in a very delicious way. Whether you’re dining on fresh poke bowls, feasting on whole luau pig, or finishing your meal with a creamy coconut haupia, come and savor some mouthwatering and unforgettable popular Hawaiian foods.