Hawaiian cuisine and its roots

Multi-ethnic immigrants are essential components in the fusion of Hawaiian cuisine. Many came from Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Polynesian, Portuguese and of course American origins. Also animal food was imported as well as plants for agricultural use in Hawaii.

There are many important events and dates that dramatically changed the island and its culture, too many to mention so I will name just a few.
For example in the 19th century, pineapple and sugarcane plantations owned and run by American settlers took over much of Hawaii's land, and these two crops became the most important sources of revenues for the Hawaiian economy and cuisine as pineapple became an essential ingredient in hawaiian's kitchens.

Furthermore as plantations grew workers were on demand, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Filipinos, and Portuguese immigrants were hired. And the demand was so great, that agricultural and grocery markets were created due to the necessity and desire of immigrants to have their own food.
Chinese with their famous Cantonese style cooking and the first stir fry, sweet and sour, and dim sum dishes. Korean for their part built barbecue pits to cook marinated meats. And Korean style bulgogi or boneless meat with moderately-sweet garlic sauce.

Portuguese brought in salted fish, which ultimately became lomi-lomi salmon. Japanese did not have ovens so they improvised frying, steaming, broiling, and simmering, preceding to the well known tempura and noodle soups in Hawaii.

Spanish culture also is part of this exotic fusion, especifically came from Puerto Rico contributing with spicy, Spanish-seasoned thick soups, casseroles, and meat turnovers.

Filpinos brought peas and beans, the adobo style of vinegar and garlic dishes, choosing to boil, stew, broil, and fry food instead of baking, and making sweet potatoes a priority instead of rice.

If you ever visit Hawaii or have the chance to taste Hawaiian's cuisine remember, that many dishes came from a fusion of many cultures, the exotic flavors make Hawaiian food a unique and exotic cuisine. Try it..!

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