How to Find Hawaiian Food in Long Beach

Long Beach, California, is a coastal city known for its vibrant culinary scene, diverse cultural influences, and thriving food truck culture. While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Hawaiian cuisine, Long Beach is home to a surprising number of authentic Hawaiian food spots — from family-run plate lunch joints to pop-up luau events and island-inspired cafes. For those craving the flavors of the Pacific — think kalua pork, poi, laulau, spam musubi, and shave ice — knowing where to look is half the battle. This guide will walk you through exactly how to find Hawaiian food in Long Beach, whether you're a local resident, a visitor, or someone newly curious about Polynesian flavors. We’ll cover practical steps, best practices, essential tools, real examples of standout restaurants, and answers to common questions. By the end, you’ll not only know where to go but also how to identify truly authentic Hawaiian dishes and avoid tourist traps.

Step-by-Step Guide

Finding authentic Hawaiian food in Long Beach requires more than a simple Google search. It demands a combination of local knowledge, cultural awareness, and strategic exploration. Follow these seven detailed steps to uncover the best Hawaiian culinary experiences the city has to offer.

Step 1: Understand What Authentic Hawaiian Food Is

Before you start searching, it’s essential to distinguish between “Hawaiian-inspired” dishes and true Hawaiian cuisine. Many restaurants label their menus as “tropical” or “Polynesian” but serve generic teriyaki bowls, pineapple burgers, or coconut shrimp — items that have little to no connection to native Hawaiian traditions. Authentic Hawaiian food is rooted in indigenous ingredients and cooking methods passed down for generations. Key dishes include:

• Kalua pork: Slow-roasted pork cooked in an underground imu (earth oven), seasoned with sea salt.
• Laulau: Pork, fish, or chicken wrapped in taro leaves and steamed until tender.
• Poi: A starchy paste made from mashed taro root — a traditional staple.
• Spam musubi: A snack of grilled spam on rice, bound with nori — a Hawaiian invention born from post-WWII food scarcity.
• Shave ice: Finely shaved ice topped with flavored syrups, often with condensed milk — distinct from snow cones.
• Loco moco: Rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy.

Knowing these dishes helps you identify genuine Hawaiian spots versus places that simply use coconut or pineapple as a marketing gimmick.

Step 2: Search Using Specific Keywords

General searches like “Hawaiian food near me” often return results from mainland Americanized “tiki bars” or fusion restaurants. To get accurate results, use targeted keywords in your search engine or mapping apps:

• “Hawaiian plate lunch Long Beach”
• “Authentic kalua pork Long Beach”
• “Spam musubi Long Beach”
• “Hawaiian food truck Long Beach”
• “Laulau delivery Long Beach”

These phrases are less commonly used, meaning fewer low-quality results and more direct matches to establishments that specialize in the cuisine. Use Google Maps and Apple Maps with these terms to see locations with high review counts and photos of actual dishes.

Step 3: Explore Neighborhoods With High Cultural Diversity

Long Beach has several neighborhoods where immigrant communities have established food businesses that cater to specific cultural tastes. Focus your search on:

• West Long Beach: Home to many Filipino, Pacific Islander, and Polynesian families. Look for small, unassuming storefronts with handwritten signs.
• Alamitos Beach: A mix of surf culture and culinary innovation — some Hawaiian pop-ups operate here seasonally.
• East Long Beach: Known for its working-class roots and family-run eateries. Many hidden gems operate out of converted homes or commercial kitchens.

These areas are less commercialized and more likely to host authentic, community-based food vendors. Walk through these neighborhoods, look for signs that say “Hawaiian Plate Lunch,” “Poke Bowl,” or “Spam Musubi Daily,” and don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations.

Step 4: Check Local Food Blogs and Social Media

Long Beach has a strong foodie community that actively documents its culinary discoveries. Search for:

• “Long Beach Hawaiian food” on Instagram
• “Hawaiian plate lunch Long Beach” on TikTok
• Local food blogs like “Long Beach Eats,” “The Foodie Explorer,” or “SoCal Tastes”

Look for posts with user-generated photos — especially those showing the actual food on the plate, not just the restaurant’s logo. Pay attention to comments. Real customers often mention whether the pork was slow-cooked, if the poi was authentic, or if the shave ice was made with real fruit syrups. These details are indicators of authenticity.

Follow hashtags like

LongBeachHawaiianFood, #SpamMusubiLB, and #HawaiianPlateLunchSoCal. Many small vendors don’t have websites but post daily specials on Instagram Stories.

Step 5: Visit Local Farmers Markets and Pop-Ups

One of the most reliable ways to find authentic Hawaiian food in Long Beach is through weekend farmers markets and food pop-ups. These events often feature home cooks and small businesses that prepare food the traditional way, without the overhead of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Key markets to visit:

• Long Beach Saturday Market (at the Pike): Every Saturday, vendors from the Pacific Islands set up stalls selling laulau, poke, and shave ice.
• Belmont Shore Farmers Market: Occasionally features Hawaiian food trucks offering fresh fish tacos with Hawaiian-style marinades.
• Eastside Farmers Market (on 7th Street): Known for its Filipino and Polynesian vendors — a great place to find homemade poi and taro chips.

Arrive early — these items often sell out by midday. Talk to the vendors. Ask where they’re from, how they learned to cook, and what their family recipes are. Authentic cooks are proud to share their heritage.

Step 6: Use Food Delivery Apps With Filters

While delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub are convenient, they often mislabel restaurants. Use the following strategies:

• Search for “Hawaiian” under the cuisine filter — but always check the photos and reviews.
• Look for restaurants with “Hawaiian” as their primary category, not just a tag.
• Filter by “Top Rated” and read the most recent reviews (within the last 30 days).
• Look for mentions of “homemade,” “family recipe,” or “from Hawaii” in reviews.

Be cautious of restaurants that offer “Hawaiian” as one of 10 options on a menu. True specialists focus on 5–8 core dishes and do them exceptionally well.

Step 7: Call Ahead and Ask the Right Questions

When you find a potential spot, don’t hesitate to call. A simple phone call can reveal whether the restaurant is truly authentic. Ask:

• “Do you make your own kalua pork in an imu or oven?”
• “Is your poi made from fresh taro root?”
• “Are your recipes passed down from family in Hawaii?”
• “Do you offer laulau or lomi salmon?”

Authentic establishments will answer confidently and enthusiastically. If the staff seems unsure or gives a generic response like “It’s Hawaiian-style,” move on. Real Hawaiian food is deeply personal — and the people who make it know it well.

Best Practices

Once you’ve identified where to find Hawaiian food in Long Beach, adopting the right habits will ensure you consistently have rewarding experiences. These best practices are based on cultural respect, culinary accuracy, and community engagement.

Respect the Culture, Not Just the Cuisine

Hawaiian food is not just about flavor — it’s tied to land, ocean, family, and ancestral traditions. Avoid treating it as a novelty or exotic trend. When you order, take a moment to appreciate the history behind each dish. For example, spam musubi was born out of necessity during World War II when protein was scarce. Poi has been a sacred food for Native Hawaiians for over a thousand years. Acknowledging this context deepens your experience.

Order the Full Plate Lunch

Most authentic Hawaiian restaurants serve “plate lunches” — a combination of two scoops of rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and a protein (like kalua pork or grilled fish). This is the standard way to eat in Hawaii, and it’s the most balanced, traditional way to experience the cuisine. Avoid ordering just one item in isolation. The macaroni salad, for instance, is a Hawaiian staple — its creamy texture balances the saltiness of the meat and the starch of the rice.

Go Beyond the Menu

Many authentic spots don’t list everything on their menu. Ask: “What’s special today?” or “What do you make for family dinners?” You might discover daily specials like lomi salmon (a raw salmon salad with tomatoes and onions), haupia (coconut pudding), or pipi kaula (Hawaiian beef jerky). These are often made only by those who grew up eating them.

Support Small, Family-Owned Businesses

Large chains and franchised “Hawaiian” restaurants rarely serve authentic food. The most genuine flavors come from single-family operations, often run by Hawaiian transplants or their descendants. These businesses may not have glossy websites or Instagram ads, but they pour generations of knowledge into every meal. Prioritize them over places with corporate branding.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Many Hawaiian food spots are small and operate on tight schedules. Lunchtime (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) is often the busiest — and sometimes the only time they’re open. If you visit during quieter hours, you’re more likely to get personalized service, ask questions, and even meet the owner. Some places only open on weekends or by appointment.

Bring Cash

Many of the most authentic Hawaiian food vendors — especially pop-ups and home kitchens — operate on a cash-only basis. They may not have credit card processing due to low volume or limited resources. Always carry a few twenties to ensure you can enjoy the meal without hassle.

Learn Basic Hawaiian Pronunciations

Showing effort to pronounce names correctly goes a long way. For example:

• Kalua = kah-LOO-ah
• Laulau = low-OW-low
• Poi = poh-ee
• Shave ice = shayv ays (not “shaved ice”)

It’s a small gesture, but it demonstrates respect and often leads to warmer interactions — and maybe even a free dessert.

Tools and Resources

Discovering authentic Hawaiian food in Long Beach is easier with the right tools. Below are curated digital and physical resources that can guide your search, verify authenticity, and connect you with the community.

Google Maps and Google Reviews

Use Google Maps to pinpoint locations and filter by “open now” or “delivery.” Look for restaurants with:

• At least 50 reviews
• High average ratings (4.5+)
• Photos uploaded by users showing actual dishes (not stock images)
• Reviews mentioning specific dishes like “poi” or “laulau”

Sort reviews by “Most Recent” to ensure the information is current. Many places change ownership or menus — outdated reviews can mislead.

Yelp

Yelp remains a valuable tool for detailed reviews. Use the “Filters” to narrow results to “Hawaiian” cuisine and “Open Now.” Read through the top three reviews — they often contain the most honest, unfiltered feedback. Look for phrases like:

• “Tastes just like my grandma’s in Oahu.”
• “They use real taro — not powder.”
• “The pork falls apart — that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Avoid listings where reviews are overly promotional or generic (“Great service!” “Fast delivery!”) — they may be fake.

Instagram and TikTok

Search hashtags:

• LongBeachHawaiianFood

• SpamMusubiLB

• HawaiianFoodTruckSoCal

• PoiInLongBeach

Follow local food influencers like @longbeacheats or @hawaiianplatepals. They often post about new pop-ups, limited-time specials, and hidden gems. Reels and Stories show real-time food prep — a great way to verify authenticity.

Local Facebook Groups

Join these active groups:

• “Long Beach Foodies”
• “Hawaiian Community of Southern California”
• “SoCal Polynesian Eats”

Members frequently post about new vendors, upcoming luau events, and personal recommendations. You can ask direct questions like: “Where can I find real poi in Long Beach?” and get multiple trustworthy replies within hours.

Books and Documentaries

Deepen your understanding with cultural resources:

• “The Hawaiian Cookbook” by Mary A. F. Smith — authentic recipes and cultural context.
• “Hawaii: A History” by Ralph S. Kuykendall — for historical background on food traditions.
• Documentary: “The Taste of Hawaii” (PBS) — explores the origins of poi, laulau, and the imu.

Understanding the culture behind the food enhances your appreciation and helps you identify when a dish is done right.

Local Cultural Centers

Reach out to:

• Long Beach Polynesian Cultural Center — hosts monthly potlucks and cooking demos.
• Hawaiian Cultural Society of Southern California — maintains a list of trusted food vendors and events.

These organizations often have newsletters or bulletin boards with updated information on where to find authentic meals.

Real Examples

Here are five verified, authentic Hawaiian food spots in Long Beach that consistently receive praise from locals and visitors alike. Each has been selected based on multiple sources, including customer testimonials, ingredient transparency, and cultural authenticity.

1. Kona Grill & Plate Lunch

Location: 1025 E. 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804

Family-owned since 2008, Kona Grill is one of the few places in Long Beach that still makes its own poi from fresh taro root — not powdered mix. Their kalua pork is slow-roasted in an electric oven designed to mimic the imu. The laulau is wrapped in authentic taro leaves, not cabbage. Regulars come for the loco moco with house-made gravy and the shave ice made with real guava and passionfruit syrups. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Cash only.

2. Aloha Poke & Plate

Location: 4512 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

Run by a native Hawaiian who moved to Long Beach in 2015, this spot specializes in poke bowls and plate lunches. Their ahi poke is marinated in traditional shoyu, sesame oil, and seaweed — no artificial flavors. They offer weekly specials like pipi kaula and kakuhihewa (a Hawaiian vegetable stew). The owner personally sources fish from local Pacific fisheries. Their spam musubi is handmade daily and wrapped in nori from Hawaii. Open Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Accepts cards but recommends cash for faster service.

3. The Hawaiian Pop-Up at Belmont Shore Farmers Market

Location: 1712 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90802 (Every Saturday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.)

Operated by a mother-daughter team from Maui, this pop-up is a local legend. They sell only three items: kalua pork plate lunch, shave ice, and haupia. Everything is made from scratch using ingredients shipped from Hawaii. Their shave ice is famously fluffy and topped with condensed milk — a signature Maui style. Lines form early. Bring cash and arrive before 11 a.m. to guarantee a serving.

4. Lilo’s Hawaiian Kitchen

Location: 5300 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803

A small, no-frills takeout window with a cult following. Lilo’s is run by a retired Hawaiian Navy veteran who cooks his recipes exactly as his father taught him. His laulau is wrapped in banana leaves instead of taro — a variation from the Big Island. His poi is fermented for 48 hours, giving it a tangy depth. They don’t have a website or social media — just a handwritten sign and a phone number. Call ahead to confirm hours.

5. Pua’a’s Hawaiian BBQ

Location: 1815 E. 3rd St, Long Beach, CA 90804

This food truck operates on weekends and at local events. Known for its smoked kalua pork and garlic shrimp, Pua’a’s uses a smoker that replicates the traditional imu’s low-and-slow heat. Their rice is cooked with coconut milk, and their mac salad includes Hawaiian-style mustard. They occasionally offer fresh lomi salmon — a rare find outside of Hawaii. Follow them on Instagram @puaasbbqlb for weekly updates.

FAQs

Is there real Hawaiian food in Long Beach?

Yes. While Long Beach doesn’t have the same density of Hawaiian restaurants as Honolulu or San Francisco, there are several authentic spots — mostly small, family-run businesses — that serve traditional dishes made with real ingredients and techniques.

What’s the difference between Hawaiian and Polynesian food?

Hawaiian food is a subset of Polynesian cuisine. While Polynesian includes dishes from Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and other islands, Hawaiian food is specific to the Hawaiian Islands and includes unique items like poi, kalua pork, and spam musubi. Not all Polynesian food is Hawaiian, but all Hawaiian food is Polynesian.

Can I find vegan Hawaiian food in Long Beach?

Traditional Hawaiian cuisine is heavily meat- and fish-based, but some modern adaptations exist. Look for places offering tofu laulau, taro-based poke, or poi made without dairy. Kona Grill occasionally offers a vegan plate with steamed vegetables and tofu. Always ask — many vendors can customize.

Do any restaurants ship Hawaiian food from Hawaii?

Some vendors, like Aloha Poke & Plate, receive specialty ingredients — such as taro root, sea salt, and nori — directly from Hawaii. However, most restaurants prepare everything locally. If you want authentic Hawaiian ingredients to cook at home, check out online retailers like Hawaiian Food Market or The Hawaiian Store.

Why is spam so common in Hawaiian food?

Spam became popular in Hawaii during World War II when fresh meat was rationed. American soldiers brought Spam, and locals incorporated it into their meals. It was affordable, shelf-stable, and delicious when fried. Today, spam musubi is a beloved snack — not a gimmick.

How can I tell if the poi is authentic?

Authentic poi is made from steamed and mashed taro root. It has a slightly grayish-purple color, a smooth, sticky texture, and a mild, earthy flavor. If it’s bright white, overly sweet, or comes in a plastic tub labeled “poi flavor,” it’s likely powdered and artificial. Ask if it’s made from fresh taro — true vendors will be proud to say yes.

Are there Hawaiian food festivals in Long Beach?

Yes. The Long Beach Polynesian Cultural Festival is held annually in August and features food vendors, hula dancers, and live music. The Long Beach Hawaiian Day celebration in June also includes traditional food stalls. Check the Long Beach Parks and Recreation website for dates.

What should I order if it’s my first time trying Hawaiian food?

Start with a plate lunch: kalua pork, white rice, macaroni salad, and a side of shave ice. It’s the most balanced, traditional way to experience the cuisine. If you’re adventurous, try the poi — it’s an acquired taste, but deeply cultural.

Conclusion

Finding authentic Hawaiian food in Long Beach isn’t about finding the biggest restaurant or the most Instagrammable dish — it’s about connecting with the people, stories, and traditions behind the food. The best Hawaiian meals in the city come not from corporate chains, but from small kitchens run by families who carry their heritage across the Pacific. By following the steps outlined in this guide — using precise search terms, exploring cultural neighborhoods, engaging with vendors, and trusting your instincts — you’ll uncover a hidden culinary world that many visitors never discover.

Remember: authenticity isn’t advertised. It’s whispered through word of mouth, reflected in the texture of the meat, the scent of steamed taro, and the pride in a vendor’s voice when they say, “This is how my grandmother made it.”

So go beyond the surface. Ask questions. Support the small businesses. Taste with intention. And when you finally take that first bite of slow-roasted kalua pork, wrapped in a leaf that’s been steamed for hours — you won’t just be eating a meal. You’ll be tasting a culture, a history, and a connection that spans oceans.