Hawaii has a reputation for good eats, what they call ono grinds. From drive-up BBQ on the Road to Hana to sit-down elegance at Mama’s Fish House to the farmers’ market stands all over the islands: fresh, quality ingredients and a unique blend of cultural influences make almost every bite in Hawaii memorable. At some point on any (or every?) trip to Hawaii, you’re likely to have a Shave Ice and traditional luau fair like poke, lau lau, Kalua Pork, and Lomi Lomi Salmon, but there are other ‘ono grinds that are uniquely Hawaiian and should not be missed. Let’s answer the question of What to Eat in Hawaii!

‘Ono Grinds: It’s What to Eat in Hawaii

If you look up the word ono, you’re likely to see a fish. In particular, a Wahoo, or mackerel. Tasty, right? Not sure whether Hawaiians first used ono to describe the fish, or the taste of the fish, but ‘ono (with the okina, or apostrophe) means “delicious.”

Grinds (or sometimes, “grindz”) means it’s good food. As in, “That loco moco is grinds, yeah?” (Note: That’s not a question, it’s an affirmation.) Saying ‘ono grinds, then, is sort of redundant, as it translates as “delicious good food.” In our defense, everything everything in Hawaii is so good that it bears repeating that it is, indeed, delicious good food!

In our humble opinion, this list of grinds are the ‘ono specialties that should not be missed in Hawaii.

Spam Musubi

A lot of people can be pretty grumpy first thing in the morning, before coffee and breakfast have warmed the soul and brightened the day. Even in Hawaii, I was that guy. It was my first day on Maui, it was early, and my stomach was announcing to the world that I had been neglecting it for quite some time. I stumbled into Foodland and was greeted by a happy Hawaiian face that urged me to “try the Spam musubi, brah. So good it broke da mout’!” Truer words may never have been spoken, and thus was born my own obsession with Hawaiian comfort food.

You may be aware that Spam has been elevated to near gourmet status in Hawaii, and you’ll find it everywhere, from family picnics to high-end restaurants. The king of Spam cuisine (in our book, at least) is Spam Musubi. Essentially sushi rice, Spam, Nori and a bit of soy sauce, and BAM!  Your tastebuds have entered nirvana. This could be the quintessential Hawaiian food, but there are so many unique and heavenly tastes that it’s nearly impossible to choose one to reign over all. It is the first thing we go looking for after landing, or make at home for a luau feeling. In Hawaii, you can find it almost everywhere, including Foodland, 7-11 and just about every cafe and restaurant.

Mixed Plate

Also known as a Plate Lunch, this is another quintessentially Hawaiian meal. The history of the Mixed Plate goes back to immigrant plantation workers who would bring food from their homelands for lunch, and share with their co-workers. That sharing and mixing has become a Hawaiian tradition, especially at meal time.

When someone asks what to eat in Hawaii, a good answer is “a little bit of everything.” And that pretty well describes a Mixed Plate! At most restaurants, you’ll usually get two scoops of white rice, a generous helping of macaroni salad, and a meat portion such as teriyaki beef, shoyu chicken or Korean BBQ. We love Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina for the food and the beachfront location where, as the New York Times put it, paper plates meet million dollar views.

Loco Moco

If the Mixed Plate is Hawaiian royalty, then the Loco Moco is essentially King Kamehameha. It was born in Hawaii and rules the island’s comfort food cuisine.

As the story goes, a group of teenagers from the Lincoln Wreckers Sports Club in Hilo wanted something cheap, quick, and filling. They asked Nancy Inouye at the Lincoln Grill for a couple scoops of rice, with a hamburger patty and brown gravy. They named it Loco Moco after their friend “Crazy” George Okimoto. This being the 1940s, and the Wreckers being high school kids, they couldn’t dish out $2 for a hamburger plate. Instead, Nancy fed them the basics and charged just 30-cents.

Sadly, the Lincoln Grill has been closed since the 1960s. However, Cafe 100 in Hilo bills itself as the Home of Loco Moco, claiming to have had it on the menu since 1946. Cafe 100 even trademarked the name, which the Wreckers contest. The group still meets regularly, and claims Cafe 100 “may have had a similar dish, but they didn’t have the name.”

Ironically, this cheap, hometown concoction will now cost you as much as $15, depending on where you’re eating. And yes, you can get an egg on it. Some restaurants offer different meats as well. Local favorites include teriyaki beef, katsu chicken, Spam, and Portuguese sausage.

One thing that hasn’t changed: It’s still ‘ono!

Honolulu Cookie Company

Because one must have cookies! Though the name says Honolulu, there are locations all around the islands making it easy to pop in and stock up on what may be the best shortbread cookies ever. These are no ordinary shortbreads, mind you! Flavors like Macadamia, Coconut, Kona Coffee, Pineapple, Mango and Lilikoi make these little delights uniquely Hawaiian. Warning: once you go into the store and sample one or two, it can be very challenging to get back out without a sizable (but delicious!) purchase.

While you can find these throughout the islands, we are partial to the relaxed atmosphere of Lahaina town on Maui, where you can find all of the above right on Front Street. You can park around Market and Front Streets to enjoy the parks, museums and shops there, which include Honolulu Cookie Company. Aloha Mixed Plate is further north, next to Old Lahaina Luau and across from the Cannery Mall.

That’s our list of the top Ono Grinds in Hawaii, but we’re always hungry for more! What are your favorite foods from Hawaii?