Congratulations! You finally made it to Hawaii and more importantly, to Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina. You are finally settled in until…. grrrrrkkk. It’s time to eat! A trip to Aulani is not complete without its lineup of iconic snacks. From fresh fried doughnuts to icy, sweet, shaved ice, this is a foodie’s paradise. Aulani offers a food experience that is completely different from the mainland parks. In this article, we will name some of the iconic snacks to try from the ones character shaped, to savory bites. These snacks are sure to bring a little extra magic on your trip. Let’s get started!
1. The famous Mickey-shaped Shave Ice
This icy treat is perfect for those who want to cool off after a sunny beach day or a lazy river stroll. The shaved ice has 17 flavors to choose from. You can choose 3 flavors to add to your shave ice, and you can also add condensed milk on top or ice cream, for an added sweetness. Any combination is sure to be heavenly. This is a must try for all sweet-tooths when you visit Aulani and Hawaii, in general.
2. Malasadas
Malasadas come from Portuguese immigrants who came to Hawaii in the late 1800’s. The malasada consists of a deep-fried doughnut that is served hot, and sometimes it can come plain with granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar, or they can be filled with custard, chocolate cream or haupia cream. These fluffy doughnuts are super popular throughout all the Hawaiian Islands, and it is truly impossible to eat just one. They are so warm, gooey, sugary and soft…. I hope to have convinced you to give them a try!
3. Coconut Macadamia lattes
If there is a latte I miss and simply wish I could drink every day, it would be the Mac Nut latte in Hawaii. This latte is creamy and balanced, as it has a nutty overall flavor but a hint of coconut cream in every sip. It is perfectly balanced, not too sweet and not full-on dark roast of coffee, but just enough to help you kickstart your day in paradise.
4. Mickey-shaped Spam Musubi
Another classic Hawaiian snack, with Japanese influence of course, the musubi is a block of rice with a grilled piece of spam on top, wrapped with nori. The flavor is sweet and caramelized with a mix of soy sauce for an added umami savor, and it resembles the Japanese onigiri. Aulani does it best by designing the shape of the spam musubi as Mickey which not only makes it fun to eat but is very picture-worthy.
5. Hawaiian-style Poke bowl
If you go to Hawaii and you don’t have a Poke bowl (unless you are allergic), what are you doing? The fresh fish in Hawaii does not compare. This bowl consists of diced, raw fish (Ahi-tuna for the win) marinated in a soy sauce with chopped onions, salt and perhaps some sesame oil, over rice. It sounds simple to make but the taste is what makes this snack iconic. You can find poke bowls in Aulani, and it makes for a perfect before lunch snack, or a pre-dinner chow.
6. Pineapple Dole Whip
Although last on the list but certainly not least, the pineapple dole whip is iconic in Hawaii as the Dole pineapple industry was developed on the island. Creamy, tangy and sweet all in one, this dole whip is fresh and a perfect snack for a hot day on the sand. You can also find other seasonal flavors such as guava, passion fruit and coconut which also make for a pleasant treat. Although technically you can enjoy the pineapple dole whip in mainland Disney parks, enjoying it in Hawaii makes the flavor feel more refreshing and authentic.
These snacks in Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa are not only delicious, but they stand out due to the combination of Disney magic and island flavor. These fresh and authentic tastes will remind you of Hawaii and its relaxed environment. Whether you are enjoying a savory or sweet snack, each snack break is surely to become a moment. Disney never fails with their food, and a memory is made each time you take a sip or bite.
Written by
Maria Mora
For as long as Maria can remember, there was always a Disney movie playing in her house. Whether it was The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, or Tarzan, she became enthralled with all things Disney. She has visited the Disney Parks over 100 times and on different continents! Her love of Disney goes hand in hand with her love of reading, which has motivated her through the years to become a zealous writer. She hopes that whatever she does helps her community. After all, with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, anything is possible!
