I will visit Hawaii for the first time (Kauai, Maui) and being from Texas, I am ready to taste some real fresh seafood. But they say food there are so expensive and I only got several days to try their food, so what is the best way to try different fish and seafood the islands have to offer?
Here are some of my idea:
- Go to buffet place that serves fish
- Japanese food restaurant – sushi and rolls made with different fish
- Go to fishing village and maybe they have a local restaurant
Any suggestions?
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The VERY best seafood I have ever had came from "Mama’s Fish House" on Maui…they even give the names of the fishermen who caught your fish that day…this restaurant is very expensive, but Oh-So-Worth-It, not only for the gorgeous variety of fresh as it comes seafood of all kinds but the location and ambiance is beyond belief! Save up and go to Mama’s!
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/video1.html
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Lahaina, Maui has several seafood samplers that give you a good variety and the prices aren’t bad (see first link). The Big Wave Cafe in Kihei, Maui has two-for-one early bird specials and they have some decent seafood, although not quite as good as Bubba Gump’s. I had Bubba Gump’s "Boat Trash" sampler once and it’s enough food to share with a friend. If you want more authentic Hawaiian-style dishes, Kai Ku Ono is excellent (see second link below).
By the way, to the best of my knowledge Lahaina is the town that best fits the description of a "fishing village" which you mentioned in your question. I’m sure there are other excellent seafood restaurants.there.
Aloha
Yes a lot of places to dine in Hawaii will be quite expensive but there are small, local restaurants that are not part of a larger chain or hotel, they may not seem flashy and fancy but their food will be very good
Also try sushi restaurants if you enjoy that, the local fish (not imported) should be very fresh and flavorful
You can also buy local fish at the grocery store or farmer’s market and cook it yourself if you have a room with a kitchen or a grill?
I have included a list of "local" fish to try – enjoy!
Tsukiji Fish Market in the Ala Moana Center has an absolutely amazing buffet. It’s pricey, but totally worth it. Despite the name, it is a restaurant, not a fish market. Genki Sushi is kind of neat. The sushi goes by on a conveyor belt & you choose what interests you. At the end they add up the dishes, different colors are priced differently. There are many locations of Genki around town.
Well, we had quite a good time, and lots of good food, going to the fancy hotels and acting like we were guests there. Most of them have buffets every night. Just sayin’…
Have Hearts 808 serve it to you in just a hoola skirt, FN&HH.