Hawaiian Food Tour

[Back]

I haven’t done this in a while... it’s photo essay time!

Just got back from a week in Honolulu for my sister’s wedding. Since I am recovering from the financial blow I am sitting in the kitchen on my day off work eating bacon and pancakes with strawberry syrup and composing this thread for your enjoyment.

Wonderful place, Hawaii. Really beautiful island fauna, hot azn babes everywhere from all over the globe, consistently pleasant weather, great local hospitality, and of course great local food.

Hawaii and it’s people have their own unique infectious character. A salad bowl of almost every asian culture on the globe thats even more laid back than L.A. With all of that you get some interesting local food.

When I was planning the trip I typed “top ten things to do in honolulu”*into Google and this tour came up in the top 5 in a few places. Hawaiian Food Tours (http://www.hawaiianfoodtours.com). I am not disappointed. For $100 they pick you up at your hotel in a Mercedes Benz air conditioned limo bus at 9:30am, take you around town to try local foods, then drop you off at your hotel at 2:30pm.

And... away we go... (photo captions appear above each photo)



Flying in. Having never been there I was surprised at how big the islands were... probably because when I think of an island I think of a iconic cartoon dome of dirt with a palm tree on it surrounded by ocean.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs191.snc4/37864_1512776142500_1327295318_1389218_7886175_n.j pg

[Back]

The start of the Hawaiian Food Tour. First stop is Royal Kitchen for some manapua. Portuguese roll with various fillings. Rich the awesome tour guide explains the history.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs001.snc4/33393_1511199343081_1327295318_1385709_5139010_n.j pg


Fresh for consumption. The manapua is a mix of portuguese and chinese delights.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs019.ash2/34294_1511199503085_1327295318_1385710_634690_n.jp g


Each bun is marked to indicate its filling with a handy legend printed on the box.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs102.ash2/38416_1511199783092_1327295318_1385711_600396_n.jp g

[Back]

Inside the box are the puffy golden treasures containing exotic flavors... char sui, sweet potato, portuguese sausage, black sugar and more!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs036.snc4/34176_1511199943096_1327295318_1385712_5125407_n.j pg




We made our way to China Town.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs164.snc4/37537_1511200103100_1327295318_1385713_2961970_n.j pg




This is a main square where many people come to shop for fresh fish, produce, bbq and baked goods.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs019.snc4/34294_1511200223103_1327295318_1385714_6164854_n.j pg

[4a6c1]

Mmmmm. Back how dare you. HOW DARE YOU.

[Back]

And fresh noodles! This shop does them the old way by hand.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs077.snc4/35207_1511200383107_1327295318_1385715_3985905_n.j pg




Nothing automated here.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs103.ash2/38504_1511200943121_1327295318_1385726_3495809_n.j pg




Everything is done old school. It looks like the working and sanitary conditions are old school too!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs172.snc4/37917_1511201823143_1327295318_1385731_4513360_n.j pg




The trays of noodles are steamed in these large vats.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs184.snc4/37538_1511202023148_1327295318_1385732_4231851_n.j pg

[Cephalopod]

Mmm.

I understand better now why obesity is such a problem in Hawai'i. (I love Spam and Reese's!)

Thank you for sharing.

[Back]

The vats are raised by a sophisticated system of ropes, pullies and elbow grease.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs068.snc4/34770_1511202223153_1327295318_1385736_1475870_n.j pg






The final product sliced and drizzled with soy. As fresh as a noodle gets.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs023.ash2/34526_1511202543161_1327295318_1385737_2637562_n.j pg






Ying Leong Look Funn Factory. Fresh rice noodles for close to 50 years.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs192.snc4/37940_1511202783167_1327295318_1385738_6176215_n.j pg





Next are ma tai su buns filled with pork, water chestnut and leek.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs165.snc4/37570_1511202943171_1327295318_1385739_3783481_n.j pg

* The next photo in this series has been added in post #22 (http://forum.gsplayers.com/showpost.php?p=1135079&postcount=22). Thank you.

[Back]

Next are fresh dumplings from the dumpling dungeon. (The shop is in a basement.)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs062.snc4/34476_1511203303180_1327295318_1385741_3916680_n.j pg




Half moon dumplings filled with pork, shrimp and water chestnut.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs184.snc4/37526_1511203463184_1327295318_1385742_5383463_n.j pg





Rich holds a bunch of fresh dragon eye fruit. Also called longan.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs063.snc4/34520_1511204183202_1327295318_1385743_7362244_n.j pg




The dragon eye peeled...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs201.snc4/38379_1511204383207_1327295318_1385744_4707650_n.j pg

[Back]

A bite reveals why its called what it is.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs018.snc4/34247_1511204503210_1327295318_1385745_6467884_n.j pg





Every fruit contains a perfect large black pearl worth a few hundred dollars a piece! Well, not really... its just a seed. But they sure taste like a million bucks. Like roses and honeydew melon. Similar to lychee.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs063.snc4/34529_1511204743216_1327295318_1385746_1557377_n.j pg




Next are some coconut tarts and apple bananas. My favorite taste of the tour.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs095.ash2/38103_1511204903220_1327295318_1385747_2760323_n.j pg


I have never in my life had Spam before this... Spam Musubi. Spam, rice and seaweed. Hey, if I had to try it, it was going to be in the most unusual way possible! It is quite good.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs048.snc4/34739_1511205023223_1327295318_1385748_3507692_n.j pg

[Back]

Next... some an island concoction known for its tantalizing exotic taste as well as its holistic benefits to the imbiber. WINK WINK IT HAD ALCOHOL IN IT!

Dude whipped out a flask right in the square and poured some li hing infused vodka into our drinks. A concoction made by his half japanese island girl co-tour guide.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs046.snc4/34645_1511205143226_1327295318_1385749_3816473_n.j pg




Okole Maluna! Literally “bottoms up”*in Hawaiian.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs203.snc4/38507_1511205463234_1327295318_1385750_8021831_n.j pg





No this is not the museum of natural history... it is a shop selling "crack seed" treats. Typically dried fruits of various flavors. Some covered in li hing. A ground preserved plum with a savory flavor.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs016.ash2/34184_1511205663239_1327295318_1385751_1469384_n.j pg





The wonderful sisters of Sun Chong Grocery. If they don't have it you don't need it!

They were trying to sell me their daughter! Very nice. College educated. Pretty...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs059.snc4/35309_1511205783242_1327295318_1385752_7944630_n.j pg

[Sean of the Thread]

Pretty awesome.

Quick question. Was the food included in the tour price or did you have to purchase all the shit yourself?

[Back]

Guard dog of the market.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs017.snc4/34233_1511205863244_1327295318_1385753_7259760_n.j pg





There were a few statues looking things over with watchful eyes.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs071.snc4/34899_1511205943246_1327295318_1385754_5709419_n.j pg





Rich points out our next taste. Check out those bbq cat carcasses. Yummy!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs197.snc4/38206_1511206303255_1327295318_1385755_2719350_n.j pg





The pork belly was like no other. Crispy on one side cooked perfectly with minimal seasons. So good.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs070.snc4/34862_1511206503260_1327295318_1385756_8294217_n.j pg

[Back]

I forget her name but this lovely lady is a regular at Char Siu House. The locals say hello by name. Needless to say the floor is clean of scraps.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs074.snc4/35050_1511206903270_1327295318_1385758_1204321_n.j pg





The shop where we got the ma tai su and our most excellent guide Malia.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs070.snc4/34845_1511207063274_1327295318_1385759_866909_n.jp g




Next stop is Leonard's Bakery.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs097.ash2/38213_1511207223278_1327295318_1385760_6188143_n.j pg





They specialize in malasadas. Portuguese donuts.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs075.snc4/35097_1511207383282_1327295318_1385761_2116804_n.j pg

[Back]

No idea how long they've been there but the sign looks like its from the 50's.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs045.snc4/34606_1511207543286_1327295318_1385762_4034923_n.j pg






I could have eaten that whole box of delicious fried dough rolled in sugar, some filled with custards...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs068.snc4/34768_1511207663289_1327295318_1385763_6080404_n.j pg





Our last treat... The sweet potato and haupia pie. A buttery crust with a layer of Okinawan sweet potato and then a creamy layer of coconut.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs044.snc4/34574_1511208263304_1327295318_1385765_6641006_n.j pg





This is the luxury air conditioned tinted windowed tour bus/limo. Super comfortable.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs196.snc4/38149_1511207943296_1327295318_1385764_5995179_n.j pg

[Back]

And thats the tour! Look them up if you get to Honolulu. Its well worth it.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs028.ash2/34786_1511208463309_1327295318_1385766_5237145_n.j pg

[Back]

Mmmmm. Back how dare you. HOW DARE YOU.

Too late. Its been did.


Mmm.

I understand better now why obesity is such a problem in Hawai'i. (I love Spam and Reese's!)

Thank you for sharing.

Not everyone who loves food is obese.


Pretty awesome.

Quick question. Was the food included in the tour price or did you have to purchase all the shit yourself?

Included. But no happy ending I am sorry to report.

[Parkbandit]

Looks like a fun day. We're talking about taking a vacation there... I would definitely do something like this tour if we did.

[ElvenFury]

Argh, I picked the wrong day for a late lunch!

[Kuyuk]

no joke. awesome trip. lucky fucker :(

[Krendeli]

Ughhh. Lots of neg rep for all the neat food that we can't eat!

[TheEschaton]

They were trying to sell me their daughter! Very nice. College educated. Pretty...



Are we just gonna let this one slip? I'm thinki'ng something along the lines of "Asian...at least she'll be used to the size.

[Back]

* Very tasty! The bun had a pie crust texture and flavor making it taste like a Chinese pork pot pie.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs188.snc4/37718_1511203183177_1327295318_1385740_5335556_n.j pg

Added to the end of post #7 (http://forum.gsplayers.com/showpost.php?p=1134746&postcount=7).

[Sean of the Thread]

That looks fucking delicious.

[Amber]

I lived in Ft. Shafter for three years when I was a kid and sometimes I STILL crave Hawaiian food. I swear even the school cafeteria made better chicken teriyaki than any I've had since leaving Hawaii. I'm going for a conference next spring and I'm so gonna have to take this tour. Also gonna drag my roomie to the Polynesian Cultural Center and Manoa Falls and the blow hole, and, and, and. I think it'll be a lot of fun revisiting as an adult.