Ep 14. Triple D Goes Hawaiian

In season 8, episode 14 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, host Guy Fieri takes viewers on a culinary journey to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. The episode is appropriately titled "Triple D Goes Hawaiian," and showcases the diverse and mouthwatering cuisine of the Aloha State.

The episode begins with a visit to a popular food truck called Off The Grid in Honolulu. Chef Mark Noguchi takes Guy on a tour of his unique dishes, which blend traditional Hawaiian flavors with modern techniques. Guy tries a variety of dishes, including a kimchi fried rice with kalua pork, a spicy tuna poke bowl, and a vibrant beet salad with avocado, goat cheese, and macadamia nuts.

Next, Guy travels to the island of Maui to visit a local institution, Tasty Crust. This classic diner has been around for over 60 years and serves up comfort food favorites like loco moco and chicken katsu. Guy chats with the owners, the Takahashi family, and gets a taste of their famous banana pancakes.

After leaving Maui, Guy heads to the Big Island to try some more adventurous dishes. He stops at Umeke's for some poke, a Hawaiian dish made with raw fish and various toppings. The owner, Kaleo Wong, shows Guy their wide range of poke options, including octopus, shrimp, and tofu. Guy also tries Umeke's famous poi bowl, which includes taro, pork, and lomi tomato.

The episode then takes a sweet turn as Guy heads to Honolulu to visit Leonard's Bakery, known for their delicious malasadas. These Portuguese doughnuts are a Hawaii staple, and Leonard's has been making them for over 60 years. Guy chats with the third-generation owner, Leonard Rego, and tries a variety of flavors, including cinnamon, chocolate, and li hing mui (a local sweet and sour flavor).

The final stop on Guy's Hawaiian tour is Helena's Hawaiian Food, a James Beard award-winning restaurant in Honolulu. Helena's is known for their classic Hawaiian dishes, including laulau (steamed pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves) and squid luau (squid cooked in a taro leaf and coconut milk sauce). Guy sits down with the owner, Craig Katsuyoshi, who shares the restaurant's rich history and traditional recipes with him.

Throughout the episode, Guy is seen not just as a host, but as a fellow food lover who is genuinely excited about the diverse cuisine he's tasting. He shares interesting tidbits about Hawaiian history and culture, and viewers get a sense of the unique flavors and ingredients that make the state's cuisine so special.

Overall, "Triple D Goes Hawaiian" is a fun and flavorful episode that highlights the rich culinary traditions of Hawaii. From food trucks to family-owned diners to James Beard award winners, the episode showcases the diversity and creativity of Hawaiian cooking. Viewers will likely be inspired to explore the cuisine further and book a trip to the beautiful islands themselves.