If you find yourself feeling a bit peckish after a long day playing in the surf and sand at Hanalei Beach, you might wander down a couple of streets to pick up some authentic cuisine at the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. food truck. This North shore dining establishment is a local favorite thanks to its incorporation of fresh local ingredients to make traditional Hawaiian dishes. You’ll find this food truck open on the weekends at an established location off of Kuhio Highway, next to the Bike Dokter bicycle shop.
As their name suggests, Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. are best known for their many menu items sourced from taro. Hawaiian taro, also known as Kalo, is a purple-hued vegetable root that has a rich nutty flavor. Since the first ancient Hawaiians came ashore, taro played a core dietary thanks to its containing high amounts of potassium, vitamins, copper, and magnesium. The leaves of the taro plant are also edible and nutritious, boasting high levels of protein and vitamins A and C.
In fact, the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. was actually founded in 2000 as a new venture from the existing six-generation family farm, W.T. Haraguchi Farm, specializing in taro agriculture. This farm is over a century old and the food truck venture sources much of their ingredients from the family farm — making the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. a true “farm to table” establishment.
In addition to a menu full of taro-based and other farm-sourced dishes, Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. are renowned for their tropical drink refreshments. Here, servers will blend, crush, and squeeze just about any tropical fruit grown on the island into a delicious and refreshing drink for visitors to enjoy.
A few of the most popular menu items available at Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. include:
Taro Burger With Side of Taro Hummus & Taro Chips
Taro really is a plant that can be transformed into anything and still taste fantastic. Purchasing the taro burger entrée with a side of taro hummus and chips is quite possibly the best way to see in just one meal how many different flavors this root can boast. As long as you forgo cheese on the burger, this is a completely vegan dish made from island-grown ingredients.
Kalua Pig Plate With Side of Lomi Lomi Salmon
Interested in something other than a veggie dish? Check out this delightful land and sea combo. The Kalua Pig Plate features Hawaiian-style pulled pork that is equal parts sweet and savory. Lomi lomi salmon itself is a very popular traditional Hawaiian side dish that is akin to pico de gallo with salted salmon.
Insider Tips:
-The menu at Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. is seasonal, meaning what is offered will depend upon what foods are in season and in harvest. So, if you are planning your vacation to Hawaii in October for a July trip, don’t expect to see the same menu items.
-This is an outside establishment that serves their food and drinks as “to go”. Onsite picnic tables do offer a place to sit and eat but may not offer much cover during rainy weather. The canvas covering does provide nice shade during sunnier days.
-Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. is just a .5-mile walk from the Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park, making it the perfect beach activity snack or meal.