For added emphasis, include so as in something is 'so ono,' like the Vietnamese-inspired grinds at The Pig and the Lady. Pronounced oh-no, this is the local word for 'delicious,' as in, Helena's has an ono Hawaiian food menu. Use the terms to talk about your favorite plate of garlic shrimp (pictured above) or a beachside potluck, where there were plenty (aka choke) grinds. So you might hear that the Hawaiian BBQ spot serves ' ono grindz.' The word is often paired with ono, meaning delicious (more on that below). Here are the twelve local food terms, from traditional Hawaiian words to local slang, to know before you travel to Hawaii: GrindzДЄlso spelled ' grinds,'В this word is local slang for food, and you'll see itВ used a lot on menus and in advertising. That's why itвЂ™s helpful to know a few of these local food terms so you can get the best food. The language very much exists today, so youвЂ™ll hear it in casual conversation and woven into menus. As a result, Hawaiian pidginвЂ“aka Hawaiian CreoleвЂ“was born.

Going back again to Hawaii's plantation era, these different ethnic groups, each with their own language, had to find a way to communicate with each other. Thanks to the many ethnic groups that made their way to this corner of the Pacific to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations, the local food you see today is a delicious mix of Native Hawaiian, Asian (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino), American, European (mostly Portuguese), and Latin (Puerto Rican) ingredients and preparations.ДЄnd the uniqueness of HawaiiвЂ™s food scene doesnвЂ™t stop at the food - it includes how locals talk about it. But the thing we adore is that history made for unique food culture. Hawaii's Food Scene HistoryДЄs we've discussed before, the term 'Hawaiian Food' refers to food made by indigenous Hawaiians, and it's very much worth seeking out. ItвЂ™s just that if you ask us about our favorite island memories, we'll go on and on about how there is some of the best food in Hawaii. That isnвЂ™t to say that watching the sunset over Diamond Head or catching a few early morning waves at WaikikiВ is anything short of incredible.

Most travelers thinkВ of Hawaii and its visions of surfing, hiking, and snorkeling in a lush tropical setting.Д«ut for food lovers, Hawaii brings a unique food culture to mind, including everything from local eats to fine dining.

Ono kine grinds recipes