The food at the lΕ«Κ»au was not only culturally rich but genuinely delicious. This is coming from someone (me) who has never had Hawaiian food, as well as Creighton students from Hawai’i.
Every dish had its own unique touch, but three stood out to me as absolute favorites- the kalua pig, chicken long rice and Hawaiian guava cake.
First, the kalua pig was the clear standout. It was tender, juicy and packed with a smoky flavor that made it irresistible to me and a lot of the people I talked to.
The seasoning was simpleβjust pork, rock salt and liquid smokeβbut it let the natural flavor of the pork really come through.
It reminded me a bit of pulled pork but with a deeper, more earthy taste that made it authentically Hawaiian. I loved it!
Second on my list was the chicken long rice.
This dish surprised me in the best way. The glass noodles soaked up the savory chicken broth beautifully, and the green onion added just the right amount of freshness.
It was light yet really satisfying and felt like a warm comfort food you could eat on any day, not just at a special event.
The only thing I would change is a better utensil for it so I could eat it faster. I honestly went back for seconds.
Finally, for dessert, the Hawaiian guava cake was truly unforgettable.
Visually, it was so vibrant, topped with a pink guava glaze.
The strawberry cake base was soft and moist, and the whipped topping added a creamy balance that was my favorite dessert of the night.
It wasn’t overly sweet, though, and ended the meal on such a tropical, fruity high note.
Other dishes like the beef luβau stew, lomi salmon, Okinawan sweet potato, white rice and haupia were solid dishes and amazing parts in my meal.
The dinner would have definitely felt incomplete without them.
The Hawaiian dinner rolls were a nice touch; they were perfect for scooping up any leftovers on the plate!
Overall, the food was a big hit and gave a beautiful introduction to Hawaiian cuisine.
Having tried all the food, I honestly canβt wait to go back next year and try them all again.
It was hard to pick just three favorites, but the kalua pig, chicken long rice and guava cake definitely stole the show for me.