Far beneath the glossy, manufactured veneer of resort luaus and umbrella drinks lies the complex, beautifully blended reality of true Hawaiian culture. Arriving in 2015 for an eye-opening episode of Parts Unknown, the mission was to entirely bypass the Waikiki tourist traps to uncover the gritty, magnificent food scene created by the islands’ working class. The culinary landscape here is a living history of the sugar cane plantations, an incredible collision of native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, and American influences. The true heartbeat of the islands isn’t found in a high-end luau, but in the humble, formica-tabled diners serving up the legendary, carbohydrate-heavy plate lunches. From devouring bone-deep comfort bowls of pig’s feet soup and taco rice at neighborhood staples to appreciating the pristine simplicity of pan-roasted mahi-mahi, the journey is an unabashed celebration of authentic, everyday island life. It is a masterful exploration of a unique melting pot that refuses to be sanitized for mainland consumption. Discover the essential, soul-satisfying local grinds that define this incredible Pacific crossroads.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city, town, province, country. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Hawaii for his show, Parts Unknown Season 5 Episode 8 (originally aired June 14, 2015:
READ MORE: OUR FAVOURITE BREAKFASTS IN WAIKIKI
DISH – Pan-roasted Mahi-mahi
WHAT IS IT?
A fillet of Mahi-mahi roasted on a pan.
WHERE IS IT?
Town
3435 Waialae Ave Conference Room
Honolulu, HI, United States
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HAWAII NOTES
Town is a neighborhood in Honolulu where Anthony Bourdain enjoyed fresh Mahi-mahi on his show, Parts Unknown Hawaii.
DISH – Pig’s Feet Soup, Tripe Stew and Taco Rice
WHAT IS IT?
A soup made of pig’s feet, stewed tripe, and taco rice – ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and taco shells on warm rice, topped with salsa.
READ MORE: MADRID: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
WHERE IS IT?
Ethel’s Grill
232 Kalihi St
Honolulu, HI, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HAWAII NOTES
Anthony Bourdain observed that you can get bone-deep Hawaiian food from Ethel’s grill – a delicious mash-up of culinary traditions. As an example, Bourdain pointed out the origins of Taco Rice in Okinawa, Japan, with the dish eventually finding its way back to Hawaii.
DISH – Hawaiian Plate Lunch
WHAT IS IT?
Features a big scoop (or two) of rice and potato macaroni salad, served alongside a protein, like chicken katsu or burger steak or seared ahi with nori and sesame seeds.
WHERE IS IT?
Tasty Crust
1770 Mill St
Wailuku, HI, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HAWAII NOTES
As Anthony Bourdain puts it, he had a taste of Hawaiian history on a plate at Tasty Crust.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN HAWAII : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON NO RESERVATIONS
This exploration of Hawaii perfectly encapsulates his lifelong disdain for manufactured tourist experiences, demanding instead to see the unvarnished reality of a destination. In the broader context of his work, it serves as a brilliant defense of unapologetically heavy, working-class comfort food—elevating the humble plate lunch to its rightful place as a vital cultural artifact. The episode is highly memorable for its respectful acknowledgment of the complex, often dark history of colonialism and plantation labor that inadvertently birthed this incredible fusion cuisine. It is a passionate plea to respect the locals and their land. Step away from the resort buffet, find a neighborhood diner, and let the magnificent, messy history of the islands unfold on your plate.
