Here in Hawaii , barbeque does n’t just mean smoke meat topped with a tart sauce . It also integrate grill meats , with Japanese , Korean , local and traditional American influences , reflecting our island ’s divers landscape painting . We ’re also lucky to have the local - expressive style plate barbecue lunch , which is delimitate by two scoop rice , mac salad , and centre slather in soy sauce - found teriyaki sauce – the island ’s iteration of barbecue sauce . If you ’re look to fill a substantive hole in your someone that only barbecue can sate , then you ’re in portion – Oahu ’s barbecue culture is one of the in effect and most diverse in the nation . We ’ve round off up the most awing smoked and grilled core flavour in the sphere , whether they ’re local or influenced from Korea , Japan – or Texas .
Uncle Bobo’s Smoked BBQ
definitive barbeque come with a view at this Windward - side hole in the wall , which serves wry - rubbed sum that ’s been smoked for hours over a combination of hickory and tropical woods . Try the popular beef brisket or pull in pork shoulder , served on a platter with veteran Elmer Reizenstein and side , or pile richly onto a homemade Gallic cottage roll tamp down with onion and garlic . The desserts here are totally worth saving room for : shave ice , ice coffee floats , and some delicious specials ( if you ’re lucky , you ’ll catch the malasadas ) .
Guava Smoked
locate in a residential neighborhood in Kalihi , this petite flat - style eatery serves up local - style barbeque for luncheon only . As its name implies , looker are smoke with guava – strawberry Psidium guajava , to be exact – which lends a sweeter note to its smoky heart , poultry , and seafood . Order a plate lunch of spicy porc , butterfish collar , salmon venter , hamburger , duck , kalbi short rib , or meat chili . Or , if you would favour to go to the beach and work the hibachi yourself , this joint has you covered : grab your favorite from the pick of pre - smoked , glacial meats to take home and move your friend .
Kau Kau Grill
KakaakoPut on your best ( interpret : worst ) grubby clothes and heading to the Kau Kau Grill , located at the Makers & Tasters marketplace . This killer whale food truck offers fond , fall - off - the - pearl child back rib smothered in barbeque sauce . Pro lead : try the " intrust us " jazz group , in which you ’ll also receive a smattering of garlic shrimp for just a few dollar more .
Japanese BBQ Yoshi
If the mentation of in high spirits - calibre marbled nitty-gritty makes you slabber like one of Pavlov ’s dogs , you should likely stop whatever you ’re doing and head to Yoshi , where you may set up cuts of lush US prime and Kobe Gold Grade boeuf , either marinated or au naturel . If you require to learn about the true glories of Japanese cattle , however , go for the A5 Wagyu – the highest grade possible – and permit the soft , larder meat fade in your oral fissure .
Bob’s Bar-B-Que
Bob ’s Bar - atomic number 5 - Que has been swear out up scrumptious , classic , local - stylus barbeque to Oahu residents and tourists alike for over 38 year . attain the take the air - up counter , where you ’ll find hibachi , traditional barbecue , and sweet - and - tangy teriyaki . With so many options to choose from , your good stakes is the Super Combo : a delicious , meaty medley of gripe and baby back rib , kalbi , teri beef , and teri chicken , all dish out with heaping spoonful of rice , plus mac salad . You could rive this extravaganza with a friend ( or two ) and austerely save the leftovers , or – and this is the recommended option – adopt your inner heart brute and go to townsfolk solo .
Hughley’s Southern Cuisine
Even the mini wrack of pork spare rib at this southerly individual join will quell hungriness pangs : the barbecue here runs sweet , tangy , and – most importantly – copious . Be prepared to paint your face with the good clobber . If you ’re up for a serious challenge , go for the full stand – or affix your half - wheel with some crank , smoky kick brisket ( and consider names for your next food baby ) .
Molly’s BBQ and Seafood
If you have a sudden , inexplicable craving for Southern barbeque , perhaps the scent of Molly ’s Grant Wood - smoked meats found you all the way from central Oahu . The restaurant formerly known as Molly ’s Smokehouse serves up rich , land - flair solace food , include Texas - manner barbecue chicken , babe back ribs , pulled pork , and the amazing brisket that it ’s experience for . Wash it all down with a glass of gratifying afternoon tea , the southerly confection / quaff that ’s basically eleventy - billion parts carbohydrate to one part pee .
678 Hawaii
For a barbecue splurge with a Korean twist , this yakiniku eating place offers up quality meat that you ready yourself on a tabletop grill . down your Kobe beef brisket , pork belly , or premier costa in the center , then cook your kimchi , onions , courgette , or maize in separate compartments on the grillroom ’s perimeter . The upright feature ( aside from the hot , hyper - fresh dinner party in front of you ): there ’s a venthole situated just above the grill that sucks away the smoke – so you are n’t stuck with the scent in your hair and dress afterward .
Smokey Ranch Barbeque
WaimānaloOn the cause to Makapuu Lighthouse , keep your eyes unclothe for a food truck like no other : it appear like a log cabin and is situate on the mountain - side of a route , as all great barbecue should really be . The sum here is hired hand - rubbed with a custom blend of spices , and smoked over keawe wood , which instill the smoky pulled pork , brisket , poulet , pork barrel ribs , and surplus ribs . Go all out and stress a combo plate , which lets you sample a variety show of the smoked meats , plus coleslaw , baked beans , cornbread , and a pickle lance . After a sidereal day of snorkeling , tramp , or ( have ’s be real ) just driving around the island , farce yourself cockamamie with domicile - cooked smoked meat is a nice reward .
Henry Loui’s
When a place glorify to have the " good suckin ’ ribs in Hawaii , " it ’s definitely making a bold call – particularly when it wait more like an sometime - fashioned supper club than a barbecue joint . But with over 18 pound of rib cycling through the eating house every week , this articulation ’s popularity might just speak for itself . The ribs are adore for their homemade barbeque sauce , which the chef describe as a mix of Asian and Texas influences .
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summertime Nakaishiis a freelance author for Thrillist and is currently letting her hunger cravings check her life , thanks to her research for this story . instruct her how to apply Twitter@summercolada .
Courtesy of Tena Valenti
Kau Kau Grill
Hughley’s Southern Cuisine
Dining Out Hawaii
Smokey Ranch Barbeque
