Hawaii is a Pacific melting pot whose island culture has been molded and shaped by centuries of immigration and native Hawaiian traditions.

One of the greatest expressions of Hawaii’s astonishing diversity is the islands’ cuisine, which draws inspiration from the people who immigrated here over the past two centuries — Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Puerto Rican, Portuguese and many others. Over time, Hawaii’s diverse communities have evolved homespun amalgams of favorite dishes handed down from generation to generation, creating a foodie nirvana.

Fast-forward a century to today. These popular dishes are still found all over the islands, at hole-in-the wall cafes, food trucks and even the islands’ best restaurants, which have elevated comfort food into epicurean creations.