SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Hawaii Inspires
King’s Hawaiian makes exploring this top trend easy
SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Hawaii Inspires
King’s Hawaiian makes exploring this top trend easy
By Flavor & The Menu
March 6, 2024
By Flavor & The Menu
March 6, 2024
Hawaiian-inspired cuisine is one of today’s most exciting culinary trends, rich with menu opportunity for restaurant brands across the country. It transcends traditional boundaries, rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of Hawaii and captures the essence of the islands’ diverse culinary heritage. From the influence of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Micronesian and Polynesian flavors, the Hawaiian-inspired approach embodies a true melting pot of tastes.
A number of ingredients and flavors give Hawaiian-inspired cuisine its singular identity—from tropicals like lilikoi (passionfruit), mango, pineapple and taro to iconic dishes like kalua pork, huli huli chicken and loco moco. King’s Hawaiian, an iconic, family-owned brand with a passionate fan base, offers a perfect canvas to showcase these diverse and delicious flavors, delivering both familiarity and authenticity. “Using King’s Hawaiian lends respect and credibility,” says Greg Stockdale, Corporate Executive Chef, King’s Hawaiian. “Its sweet flavor profile works beautifully with the complex sweet and savory heat of Hawaiian-inspired cuisine.”
And at the same time, consumers are diversifying their culinary horizons by seeking out restaurants that provide approachable yet novel dining experiences, fostering a sense of cultural connection.
- 70% of consumers appreciate familiar ingredients when trying something new 1
- 75% like it when a menu offers globally inspired foods 1
- 41% say they choose global foods because they’re looking for something different 2
Honolulu Hot and Sweet Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Photo Credit: King's Hawaiian A seasoned, beer batter-fried chicken breast with Huli Huli sauce, Napa slaw, charred scallion vinaigrette and grilled pineapple habanero relish.
Sweet, spicy and umami-rich, this fried chicken sandwich is a craveable combination of cool heat, sharp acidity and pleasing mouthfeel. It serves as a great entry point to Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, showcasing the flavors of huli huli sauce, which include pineapple purée, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, light brown sugar, ketchup, rice wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Napa slaw adds fresh crunch and a crown of pineapple-habanero relish lends a tropical sweet heat vibe. It’s all housed in a King’s Hawaiian Little Island Bun, lending a uniquely soft, fluffy texture with just a touch of sweetness.
Mighty Mango Mahi Sandwich
Photo Credit: King’s Hawaiian Grilled marinated mahi-mahi fillet with savoy cabbage slaw, pineapple creamsicle vinaigrette, Sriracha aïoli and mango-chile relish.
Flavorful and wholesome, this fish sandwich brings a fresh taste of Hawaii to the mainland. Buttered and toasted King’s Hawaiian Original Little Island Buns are topped with mayo, Savoy cabbage slaw with a pineapple creamsicle vinaigrette, then a grilled fillet of mahi-mahi. A dollop of Sriracha aïoli and mango-chile relish round out the sandwich.
Kona Bread Pudding
Photo Credit: King's Hawaiian Whole rolls baked in mocha-Kona coffee custard, topped with salted caramel sauce, praline pecans, shaved chocolate and whipped cream.
Sweet, Hawaiian-inspired indulgence, this modern take on a bread pudding delivers comfort and escape. King’s Hawaiian Original Rolls are the star of the show, topped with a custard base of eggs, milk, coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa powder, then baked until golden brown. To finish, a flourish of whipped cream, salted caramel sauce, toasted praline pecans and shaved chocolate.
For more information, email: [email protected] or visit: kingshawaiianfoodservice.com.
1 Fona, Global Flavors in the Food and Beverage Space, 2022
2 Technomic’s Global Food and Beverage Report
Hawaiian-inspired cuisine is one of today’s most exciting culinary trends, rich with menu opportunity for restaurant brands across the country. It transcends traditional boundaries, rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of Hawaii and captures the essence of the islands’ diverse culinary heritage. From the influence of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Micronesian and Polynesian flavors, the Hawaiian-inspired approach embodies a true melting pot of tastes.
A number of ingredients and flavors give Hawaiian-inspired cuisine its singular identity—from tropicals like lilikoi (passionfruit), mango, pineapple and taro to iconic dishes like kalua pork, huli huli chicken and loco moco. King’s Hawaiian, an iconic, family-owned brand with a passionate fan base, offers a perfect canvas to showcase these diverse and delicious flavors, delivering both familiarity and authenticity. “Using King’s Hawaiian lends respect and credibility,” says Greg Stockdale, Corporate Executive Chef, King’s Hawaiian. “Its sweet flavor profile works beautifully with the complex sweet and savory heat of Hawaiian-inspired cuisine.”
And at the same time, consumers are diversifying their culinary horizons by seeking out restaurants that provide approachable yet novel dining experiences, fostering a sense of cultural connection.
- 70% of consumers appreciate familiar ingredients when trying something new 1
- 75% like it when a menu offers globally inspired foods 1
- 41% say they choose global foods because they’re looking for something different 2
Honolulu Hot and Sweet Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Photo Credit: King's Hawaiian A seasoned, beer batter-fried chicken breast with Huli Huli sauce, Napa slaw, charred scallion vinaigrette and grilled pineapple habanero relish.
Sweet, spicy and umami-rich, this fried chicken sandwich is a craveable combination of cool heat, sharp acidity and pleasing mouthfeel. It serves as a great entry point to Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, showcasing the flavors of huli huli sauce, which include pineapple purée, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, light brown sugar, ketchup, rice wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Napa slaw adds fresh crunch and a crown of pineapple-habanero relish lends a tropical sweet heat vibe. It’s all housed in a King’s Hawaiian Little Island Bun, lending a uniquely soft, fluffy texture with just a touch of sweetness.
Mighty Mango Mahi Sandwich
Photo Credit: King’s Hawaiian Grilled marinated mahi-mahi fillet with savoy cabbage slaw, pineapple creamsicle vinaigrette, Sriracha aïoli and mango-chile relish.
Flavorful and wholesome, this fish sandwich brings a fresh taste of Hawaii to the mainland. Buttered and toasted King’s Hawaiian Original Little Island Buns are topped with mayo, Savoy cabbage slaw with a pineapple creamsicle vinaigrette, then a grilled fillet of mahi-mahi. A dollop of Sriracha aïoli and mango-chile relish round out the sandwich.
Kona Bread Pudding
Photo Credit: King's Hawaiian Whole rolls baked in mocha-Kona coffee custard, topped with salted caramel sauce, praline pecans, shaved chocolate and whipped cream.
Sweet, Hawaiian-inspired indulgence, this modern take on a bread pudding delivers comfort and escape. King’s Hawaiian Original Rolls are the star of the show, topped with a custard base of eggs, milk, coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa powder, then baked until golden brown. To finish, a flourish of whipped cream, salted caramel sauce, toasted praline pecans and shaved chocolate.
For more information, email: [email protected] or visit: kingshawaiianfoodservice.com.
1 Fona, Global Flavors in the Food and Beverage Space, 2022
2 Technomic’s Global Food and Beverage Report
