Foodie Phonetics: Kālua Pork
Deconstructing Waikikie Hawaiian BBQ’s house specialty
Owner Paul Jolin was impressed with the diversified evolution of the cuisine after being stationed at Pearl Harbor with the Navy. Hawaiian flavors reflect the many immigrants to the islands, including China, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Britian and the Philippines. The restaurant serves a variety of Hawaiian “local food”, lunch plates served with rice, mea, Teriyaki sauce and even macaroni salad. The restaurant’s most popular dish is the Kālua Pork ($7.99).
This Hawaiian grilling method is based off kālua, baking in an earth oven. The pork is marinated and then prepared with cabbage, a staple vegetable on the island. Thanks to the cabbage, the pork is lighter, the density and saltiness of the meat is cut and the cabbage takes on the flavor of the pork. For foodies, that can also mean larger, guilt-free portions. We’ll say Mahalo (thanks) to that.