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Best Food in Hawaii

  • Updated: April 2, 2013

From the North Shore shrimp trucks to the latest creations by chef Alan Wong, Oahu packs the biggest flavors of Hawaii. Check out these 10 amazing food adventures from our photographer Lori Barbely. And if you have a bigger appetite, consider a food tour of Oahu by the award-winning HawaiiFoodTours.com.

More Must-Sees on Oahu | Our Hawaii 50 Report | Best Hawaii Drink Recipes | Best Islands to Live On

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Cultural Mix

Chef Glenn Chu of the Indigo Restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown draws from both his Hawaiian upbringing and his Chinese family roots. One result: fried sesame balls filled with roasted duck and dried apricots. Lori Barbely
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Shrimp, shrimp or … shrimp?

Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp truck off the Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore doesn’t mess around: It’s all shrimp, all the time. The favorite of two sampled plates — spicy or the straight-up butter and garlic — you can’t beat spicy. Lori Barbely
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Leaning Tower of Pineapple

The Dole Plantation isn’t exactly a secret, so don’t be surprised if the line to get a Dole Whip Cup is HUGE. But it’s worth the wait for this fresh pineapple ice cream with chunks of pineapple. Lori Barbely
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Local Hangout

In Honolulu, the Rainbow Drive-In is the place where locals come after work, some pulling in with their pickups, sitting on the back of the tailgate with an open styrofoam box of Rainbow goodness. Lori Barbely
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Classic Comfort

At the Rainbow Drive-In, you can get iconic Hawaiian mix plates with mahi mahi, teriyaki beef, Spam and more. You have to be in the mood for it; this is heavy stuff, like carbs with a side of carbs. Lori Barbely
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Eggs and Everything

If Hawaii’s best pancakes are truly at Eggs ‘n Things in Honolulu, then the ultimate breakfast is the banana-macadamia nut pancakes. Lori Barbely
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How Fresh Can You Get?

The renowned Alan Wong’s Honolulu restaurant is a symbol of the farm-to-table movement. Try this ginger crusted onaga wiith miso sesame vinaigrette, organic hamakua mushrooms and kahuku corn. Lori Barbely
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Super Market

The Chinatown market in Honolulu is where the local Chinese population really goes to get their groceries. The stands sell pretty much any kind of produce you can think of, including “apple bananas.” Lori Barbely
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‘Mazing Malasadas

If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble across these Portuguese malasadas — like hole-less doughnuts — at one of the roving Malasadamobiles. Or if you can’t find the food truck, just head to Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, home of the malasadas. Lori Barbely
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Hawaii’s Beauty

Most people take photos of Hawaii’s beaches, volcanoes, peaks and waterfalls. But turn your eyes to the food — like this whole tomato salad at Alan Wong’s — and you’ll never see Oahu the same way again. Lori Barbely
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