# Making food Hawaiian **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [November 25, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734 "2024-11-25T00:17:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/21 "2024-11-25T04:43:10Z")
Choose from these ingredients to make it “Hawaiian”: banana, coconut, macadamia nut, pineapple, pork, rice, spam, sweet potato, taro, yam. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/22 "2024-11-25T14:29:01Z")
You’re going about it the wrong way. Look at the way “Chinese/Polynesian” restaurants from the 1950s made “Hawaiian” food. Especially places like Trader Vic’s. You don’t need pineapples (although that helps a LOT). Using Coconut instead can suggest a Polynesian atmosphere. You need pointlessly over-sweetened and unusual food. Bongo-Bongo soup. Mainly Oyster puree and spinach, although _The Bad Taste Encyclopedia_ claims that you can get away without the oysters and use baby-food spinach. > **[Lost Dishes: Trader Vic's - Bongo Bongo Soup](https://www.lostdishes.com/tradervics/bongo.htm)** > > Signature recipes from the Lost Tables (restaurants) of St. Louis The Pu-Pu Platter, with teritaki skewers and glutinously sweet sauced chicken would help > [@](#): > > At the height of the [tiki bar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiki_bar) craze during the late 1950s and early 1960s, the _[New York Herald Tribune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Herald_Tribune)_ published several articles concerning the opening and the ambiance of one of the first Hawaiian-themed restaurants in New York City, Luau 400, on East 57th Street. At the time of the restaurant’s opening in 1957, pu pu platters were considered a part of the [luau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luau) feast.[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-nyht-1957dec28-11) A typical platter at this establishment would have included baked clams, [rumaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumaki), Shrimp Vela (battered fried shrimp with coconut), chicken wings, egg rolls, spare ribs, or Javanese sate ([satay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satay)) on skewers.[[11]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-nyt-1957nov07-12) The appetizers were served on “a [Lazy Susan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazy_Susan) made of [monkey pod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizia_saman) wood and equipped with a little stove fired with charcoal briquettes.”[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-nyht-1957dec28-11) Recipes for some of the pu pu items were later published in the _Herald Tribune_ in 1960.[[12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-nyht-1960apr03-13) > > Always the showman, Trader Vic included a hibachi grill when presenting a pu pu platter at the table.[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-nyht-1957dec28-11) Others say that the idea could have come from Donn Beach.[[13]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter#cite_note-14) No one can agree, but everyone else appeared to have copied the idea. > **[Pu pu platter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu_pu_platter)** > > A pu pu platter is a tray of American Chinese or Hawaiian food consisting of an assortment of small meat and seafood appetizers. The Thrillist called the pu-pu platter "an amalgam of Americanized Chinese food, Hawaiian tradition and bar food." > The pu pu platter was probably first introduced to restaurants on the United States mainland by Donn Beach in 1934, and has since become a standard at most Polynesian-themed restaurants such as Don's and Trader Vic's. However, pu pu platters are currently ... ---
**Author:** ![epbrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/23 "2024-11-25T16:03:22Z")
Huh. The burger was supposed to come with a scoop of macaroni salad and I substituted fries instead. I thought the original side was weird, and here they were being authentic. This thread explains the spam options on the menu as well. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/24 "2024-11-25T16:33:07Z")
TIL that a pu-pu platter is a real thing and not invented by the Bloodhound Gang [NSFW lyrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQFDdZgkTKM) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/25 "2024-11-25T17:38:29Z")
ISTM every Chinese restaurant in the western USA in the 1970s-1990s had those on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/26 "2024-11-25T17:49:23Z")
> [@epbrown](#): > > ordering the Big Kahuna burger, The Big Kahuna burger at the Hawaiian-ish place nearby has Spam, pineapple, and teriyaki sauce. No cheese. (I prefer their Spam BLT, which is a salt-lovers dream sandwich.) > [@LSLGuy](#): > > ISTM every Chinese restaurant in the western USA in the 1970s-1990s had those on the menu. Hell, every Chinese restaurant in the eastern USA had them too. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/27 "2024-11-25T18:00:46Z")
I would really like to see a resurgence in the popularity of all things Tiki. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/28 "2024-11-25T18:09:26Z")
Me too. I liked going to [Kelbo’s](https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/kelbos-1) when I lived in L.A. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that they closed in 1994. There’s a Tiki bar in Bellingham ([Redrum](https://flute-whale-w59c.squarespace.com)), but it’s much smaller and less ‘authentically Tiki’. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/29 "2024-11-26T16:57:26Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I would really like to see a resurgence in the popularity of all things Tiki. Each spring my gf contemplates having a tiki bar in our yard. She has yet to take the plunge. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/30 "2024-11-26T17:15:42Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I would really like to see a resurgence in the popularity of all things Tiki. The [Tonga Room](https://www.fairmont-san-francisco.com/dine/tonga-room-hurricane-bar/) at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco is still going strong. When I went there a few years ago there was a line out the door to get in, which I believe is typical. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/31 "2024-11-26T18:18:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There’s a Tiki bar in Bellingham ([Redrum](https://flute-whale-w59c.squarespace.com)), but it’s much smaller and less ‘authentically Tiki’. [Teddy’s Bigger Burgers](https://www.teddysbb.com/) is a Hawaiian burger chain with multiple locations in Hawaii. They used to have a location in Woodinville and sometime around 15 years ago I had the chance to eat there and really enjoyed it. I just learned they closed their Woodinville location in 2021 due to Covid so that’s no longer an option but that place was great. Real Hawaiian food and atmosphere in WA. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/32 "2024-11-26T20:40:59Z")
We have lots of tiki bars in FL, but ISTM most have lost the whole 1960s Tiki mystique / theme except the thatched roof and a couple of featured fruity sweet cocktails. Other than being mostly outdoors they’re ordinary burger-centric 2020s-era sports bars. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/33 "2024-11-26T20:58:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > most have lost the whole 1960s Tiki mystique Yeah, the thing about Kelbo’s was that it was so _tacky!_ You really need the '50s/'60s tack-o-rama for it to be right. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/34 "2024-11-26T21:12:47Z")
We had a little Tiki resurgence here in Chicago about 10 years ago. Three Doys and a Dash got some national press ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/35 "2024-11-26T21:28:36Z")
Now, I really have a craving for Rumaki … ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/36 "2024-11-26T21:34:45Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Hawaiian mac salad doesn’t have any vegetables aside from shredded carrot and maybe a bit of onion. I wish. Some places (I’m looking at you, Ken’s) put peas in it. YUCK. I mean, I like peas, and I like mac salad, but they should not be combined. Sorry, @Johnny_L.A. I’m also sad when tuna fish is added. This thread is addressing two sometimes overlapping (but hardly identical) definitions of Hawaiian cuisine: tiki culture, which relies heavily on stereotypes and imagined versions of Hawai’i, and the authentic items that people really do eat all the time here. To the authentic stuff listed above (poi, plate lunch, mac salad, spam), I would add poke bowls, [loco moco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loco_moco), [kulolo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%ABlolo), [lau-lau](https://onolicioushawaii.com/lau-lau/), and “ocean salad” (which is what they tend to call [wakame salad](https://norecipes.com/seaweed-salad-recipe/) here). Also, Hawaiians have a thing for dreadful gravy. I would say it tastes like came out of a can, and maybe it does (now I’m looking at Hawaiian Style Cafe), but I wouldn’t know for sure as I would never stoop to using canned gravy. Anyway, to the extent it has a flavor, the flavor is … brown. Oh gosh, I forgot one of my favorites: [lomi-lomi salmon](https://onolicioushawaii.com/lomi-lomi-salmon/). I have no clue how this became a Hawaiian staple, but I love it. …and kalua pig of course! ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/37 "2024-11-26T23:42:33Z")
Hawaiian food is a mix of Polynesian, US military rations circa WW2, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. The options for making something more “Hawaiian” are sort of so vast that it doesn’t have much meaning. I’d probably take a beef/pork dumpling filling recipe and use that for the patty, top with coleslaw and a tamarind/sriracha sauce, but that’s just one variation. Pineapples aren’t native to Hawaii, they were imported from Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/38 "2024-11-27T12:44:17Z")
There are still a lot of Polynesian/Chinese restaurants in New England left over from the 1950s. On of the biggest is near my home – The **Kowloon**. Despite taking its name from a peninsula and a district within Honk Kong, The Kowloon proclaims its nature by being built in the shape of a giant Polynesian hut with a Polynesian statue image on the front (although it also has flanking Chinese Dragons, and the side of the restaurant is in Chinese style). Its current incarnation got started in 1958. > **[Kowloon Restaurant](https://www.kowloonrestaurant.com/)** > > America's premiere Asian dining and entertainment complex. > **[How a Massachusetts Highway Restaurant Became an Icon](https://www.eater.com/22979524/iconic-massachusetts-restaurants-route-1-kowloon)** > > A storied stretch of Route 1 in Massachusetts was once home to restaurants with over-the-top roadside attractions. Now, only Kowloon, owned by the Wong family, remains, and it’s unclear for how much longer. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/39 "2024-11-27T13:59:33Z")
I wonder if there was a window of opportunity in which the pu pu platter could have been named something else. “Pu pu” doesn’t exactly make my tummbly rumbly 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734/40 "2024-11-27T16:13:06Z")
Naw, that name was half the fun when we asked for it as a kid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-food-hawaiian/1010734.md?page=3)