It was New Year’s Eve. I was in Scotland meeting my stepmom’s family for the first time when I came to understand the appeal of shortbread—a cultural staple of that country, traditionally eaten during the holidays. Later I learned of some surprising connections between Scotland and Hawai‘i. The last heir to the throne of the […]
Beloved chef and two-time “Top Chef” fan favorite Sheldon Simeon is inviting readers back into his kitchen this spring. Available on March 31, 2026, Simeon’s second cookbook “Ohana Style,” includes more than 100 unfussy, flavorful recipes that celebrate the multifaceted traditions of Hawaiʻi. From weeknight dinners to big gatherings, the cookbook delivers approachable, local recipes rooted in ʻohana. Embracing
Cooking alongside each other, chefs Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildirim—the mother-daughter duo behind Istanbul Hawaiʻi—thoughtfully share the flavors and traditions of Turkey with Honolulu, Oʻahu. This citrus-forward cocktail recipe by Ahu Hettema feels like a breath of fresh air from the Mediterranean. Hettema explains that she and her mother are from the coastal city of Soli, now known as Mersin. “Before it was
Hawaiʻi Island chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona recently released “Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi.” Beyond a collection of recipes, the cookbook is a profound memoir about being raised to be proud of one’s heritage. Aiona tells the story of how food has helped him reflect on and honor his Hawaiian and Italian roots. Raised in Waimea, Aiona’s
For more than a decade, The Pig and The Lady has been sharing modern Vietnamese and Asian cuisine with locals and visitors in Honolulu. The Pig and The Lady started as a stall at a local farmers market back in 2013. Chef Andrew Le turned his business into a bustling eatery in Chinatown, drawing the island’s foodies as
When I was a kid, my mom’s go-to dessert recipe was pineapple upside-down cake. She used canned pineapple—just like every other mom who grew up in the 1950s and ’60s—placed maraschino cherries in the center of each slice and served her gooey masterpiece on a glass cake platter. After dinner, using an antique silver cake
Across Merriman’s, Peter Merriman’s popular restaurants, the kālua pork and mango onion quesadilla appetizer is a consistent crowd-pleaser. Just one bite, and it’s easy to see why. With succulent kālua pork and layers of melted cheese, the pūpū perfectly marries nostalgia and Island flavor. What really makes this quesadilla so ʻono is the dipping
“Poke donburi is my way of bringing the spirit of Hawaiʻi and the heart of Japan together in one bowl,” says award-winning chef Masaharu Morimoto. The celebrated chef is known for his role on the Japanese cooking show, “Iron Chef,” and the food Network spinoff, “Iron Chef America.” He also owns two must-try restaurants on
Summer is mango season in Hawaiʻi, thus mangos abound. Residents with backyard trees share mangos with their friends and neighbors and cook, or bake, with them any way they can. Mango bread is a classic staple in Hawaiʻi, but can be made anywhere in the world where you can get your hands on some juicy,
Try something a little different from the traditional holiday menus with one or more of these recipes from Hawai‘i chefs. Be bold and try a new cooking technique with the sous vide turkey recipe from Red Salt’s Chef Noelani Planas or incorporate local produce into your side dishes with the scalloped ‘ulu recipe from Dana
When the weather outside is frightful, it’s time to make your night more delightful with the help of a few of these boozy recipes. From rum poached pears to mulled wine with spices from Kauaʻi, these three holiday recipes—provided to us by Kōloa Rum Company—will surely keep you warm by the fire. READ MORE: How
It’s International Poke Day (Sept. 28)—so what does that mean? That means you should celebrate by eating Hawaiʻi’s iconic dish—with cubed raw fish, seaweed, sweet onions and inamona (roasted kukui, or candlenut)—wherever you are. Unless you don’t have access to fresh ʻahi. Or you’re a vegetarian. Or you don’t like fish. Or you’re not in the Islands, which
