Hawaiian Plate Lunch: A Should-Strive Meal

Hawaiian plate lunch all the time hits the spot. For my household, it’s the form of Hawaiian meals that makes everybody quiet for a couple of minutes as a result of we’re too busy digging in. The parts are large, the flavors are daring, and it can save you half of your meals on your subsequent meal. Whether or not we’re road-tripping round Oʻahu or chilling on the seashore in Hilo, a plate lunch retains us fueled and completely satisfied.

Hawaiian type takeout plate lunch, with rice, meat, and greens (Shutterstock)

What’s a Plate Lunch?

The great thing about a plate lunch lies in its simplicity and flexibility. A plate lunch is a quintessential Hawaiian meal that brings collectively a pleasant mixture of flavors and textures. Sometimes, a plate lunch consists of a an entrée—usually one thing grilled, fried, or braised, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of creamy macaroni salad. This hearty and filling meal is usually served on a plate (therefore the identify) or in a bento field, making it a handy and satisfying possibility for any time of day.

The protein choices are various and might embrace teriyaki hen, kalua pork, beef stew, or perhaps a hamburger patty. Whether or not you’re craving one thing savory or smoky, there’s a plate lunch mixture to go well with each palate. It’s a staple in Hawaiian delicacies, providing a style of the islands’ wealthy culinary heritage in each chunk.

The Origins of the Conventional Hawaiian Plate Lunch

The Hawaiian plate lunch is greater than only a meal—it’s a narrative on a plate. It began throughout Hawaiʻi’s plantation days within the late 1800s and early 1900s. Immigrants from Japan, China, Portugal, Korea, and the Philippines got here to work on sugar and pineapple plantations. They’d deliver lunches full of rice, meats, and pickled greens. Over time, these meals traditions blended into one hearty, multicultural combo meal. It’s easy, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.

As we speak, the Hawaiian plate lunch is a neighborhood staple, present in mom-and-pop outlets, beachside meals vans, and even fancy eating places. It’s the easiest way to style Hawaiʻi’s melting pot of cultures, multi function takeout container.

What Comes on a Plate Lunch? Macaroni Salad and Extra

You’ll discover loads of selection relying on the place you go, however listed below are a number of the commonest parts:

• Entrées: Teriyaki beef, Korean kalbi ribs, hen katsu, loco moco (hamburger patty with brown gravy and egg), fried mahi mahi, kalua pig, and garlic shrimp.
• Starches: White rice is basic, however some spots supply brown rice or fried rice as upgrades.
• Salads: Macaroni salad is the go-to, however choices like lomi salmon, tossed salad, or kimchi generally make appearances.

The most effective half? You possibly can usually combine and match to make your good plate with two and even three totally different meats. A lunch plate sometimes accommodates a considerable portion of meals, incorporating numerous conventional Hawaiian dishes served individually, which allows diners to take pleasure in particular person flavors in a single meal.

“Plate lunch is life! It’s the very first thing I eat once I land in Honolulu.” – @localgrindsdaily on Instagram

Loco moco, Hawaiian rice bowl dish (Shutterstock)

Sorts of Plate Lunches

Hawaiian plate lunches are available numerous types, every providing a novel twist on the standard meal. Listed below are some widespread sorts you may encounter:

• Conventional Hawaiian Plate Lunch: The basic model includes a protein supply, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad.
• Breakfast Plate Lunch: Some eateries supply a breakfast variation that features fried eggs, bacon or sausage, and two scoops of rice. It’s a hearty option to begin your day with a Hawaiian twist.
• BBQ Plate Lunch: This model includes a protein supply, like teriyaki hen or beef, that’s grilled or BBQ’d to perfection. Served with two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad, it’s a smoky, savory delight.

Every kind of plate lunch provides a novel expertise, permitting you to discover the various flavors of Hawaiian delicacies.

Korean plate lunch (Shutterstock)

The place To Discover the Greatest Plate Lunch in Hawaiʻi

Whether or not you’re island-hopping or staying in a single space, listed below are a number of the high spots to strive a neighborhood plate lunch throughout the islands.

1. Rainbow Drive-In (Oʻahu)
3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
https://rainbowdrivein.com

Probably the most iconic spots in Hawaiʻi, Rainbow Drive-In has been serving basic plate lunches since 1961. Locals love their combine plates, that includes barbecue beef, boneless hen, and mahi mahi—all on one plate. The loco moco right here is famous.

2. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (Statewide)
A number of areas
https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/locations

L&L helped unfold the Hawaiian plate lunch far past the islands, but it surely’s nonetheless beloved at dwelling. Their large menu consists of hen katsu, beef curry, Spam musubi, and extra. It’s the go-to for guests making an attempt the dish for the primary time.

“Rooster katsu plate with further mac salad from L&L… perfection.” – @hungryinhawaii on X

3. Da Kitchen (Maui)
1215 South Kihei Rd. Suite E, Kihei, HI 96753
https://www.dakitchenkihei.com

Again and higher than ever, Da Kitchen is known for large parts and artistic takes on classics. Strive the deep-fried loco moco or kalbi ribs in the event you’re hungry.

4. Mark’s Place (Kauaʻi)
1610 Haleukana St, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
https://marksplacekauai.com

Tucked into an industrial space, Mark’s Place is a neighborhood secret. Their Korean fried hen and beef stew are must-tries. In addition they supply every day specials and bentos, good for grabbing earlier than hitting the seashore or heading to Waimea Canyon.

5. Blane’s Drive Inn (Big Island)
15-2793 Māmalahoa Hwy, Hilo, HI 96720
Yelp.com

Blane’s is a Hilo favourite, with reasonably priced costs and beneficiant parts. The blended plate is all the time a success, and their gravy burgers are a neighborhood twist you don’t wish to miss.

6. Ken’s Home of Pancakes (Huge Island)
1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
https://www.kenshouseofpancakes.com

Don’t let the identify idiot you—Ken’s serves a killer plate lunch. Their Kalbi and laulau plates are widespread, and their 24-hour service means you’ll be able to fulfill your cravings any time.

7. Aloha Combined Plate (Maui)
1285 Entrance St, Lahaina, HI 96761
https://www.alohamixedplate.com

This oceanfront restaurant blends conventional flavors with fashionable aptitude. The setting is ideal for guests exploring Lahaina’s historic city heart. Strive their huli huli hen or shoyu pork.

8. Freeway Inn (Oʻahu)
A number of areas on O’ahu
https://www.myhighwayinn.com

For a extra conventional Hawaiian-style meal, Freeway Inn provides laulau, kalua pig, and poi alongside the same old plate lunch suspects. Their story goes again to 1947, and it’s nonetheless family-run.

“Freeway Inn by no means misses. True native consolation meals finished proper.” – @grindsandvibes on Threads

Vitamin and Preparation Suggestions

Making a wholesome and scrumptious plate lunch at dwelling is less complicated than you may assume. Listed below are some ideas that can assist you put together a nutritious meal with out sacrificing taste:

• Select Lean Proteins: Go for protein sources like hen thighs or fish to cut back the calorie and fats content material of your meal. Grilling or BBQing your protein as an alternative of frying may make a giant distinction.
• Swap to Brown Rice: Whereas white rice is conventional, swapping it for brown rice can enhance the fiber content material and add a nutty taste to your plate lunch.
• Thoughts the Sauces: Use low-sodium soy sauce and teriyaki sauce to maintain the sodium content material in verify. You possibly can nonetheless benefit from the wealthy flavors with out overloading on salt.

By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a plate lunch that’s not solely scrumptious but in addition nutritious. It’s an ideal option to savor the flavors of Hawaii whereas sustaining a balanced weight-reduction plan.

Suggestions for Having fun with Your Plate Lunch

• Go early. Among the greatest spots promote out by lunchtime.
• Money helps. Not each native place takes playing cards.
• Eat outdoors. Many outlets are close to seashores or parks. Take it to-go and revel in it with a view.
• Strive one thing new. In case you’ve by no means had Spam, poi, or lau lau, be adventurous along with your consuming.
• Ask locals. They all the time know which spot is serving it greatest that day.

Whether or not you’re right here for a brief go to or fortunate sufficient to remain awhile, don’t go away with out experiencing an actual Hawaiian plate lunch. It’s not simply meals—it’s historical past, tradition, and an entire lot of ono in each chunk.