The North Shore town of Kahuku on the island of Oahu is a foodie’s paradise! This is where you’ll find some of Hawaii’s famous food trucks, including the ones that serve up legendary garlic shrimp. There are so many options for all kinds of cuisine that you might get overwhelmed by what to choose! Here are some of my favorite spots along the Kamehameha Highway running through Kahuku, ranging from savory shrimp trucks to refreshing fresh fruit stands.
There are two main food trucks lots along with some roadside stands. Both food truck lots offer outdoor seating so patrons can enjoy their food just steps away from where it’s made. If you’d rather have a beach picnic, I suggest bringing your food to nearby Kawela Beach! Parking is easy and there’s usually plenty of shady spots to lounge in.
Garlic Shrimp
You’ll know you’re in Kahuku when you begin to smell the enticing scent of garlic in the air. There is much debate over who serves the best garlic shrimp on the island, but it pretty much comes down to 3 contenders. Luckily, they’re all in Kahuku within 1.5 miles of each other! If you’re traveling with others (or you’re just extra hungry), I suggest splitting a plate from each and deciding for yourself which one is the best.
Giovanni’s Aloha Shrimp
Giovanni’s lays claim as Oahu’s very first shrimp truck coming from humble beginnings; operating out of a converted 1953 bread truck without much more than a few recipes for great shrimp and an entrepreneurial spirit. They decided to park the truck at the old Kahuku Sugar Mill (56-505 Kamehameha Highway) and the rest is history!
This iconic food truck is on every tour guide’s list. Their scampi recipe is tried and true and people line up every day to taste it for themselves. The dish has a generous amount of garlic and butter, with just a touch of lemon. The shrimp come frozen from a wholesaler, but they are often rated as having the best texture out of all the eateries.
Make sure to have some wet wipes handy! The shrimp are served with their shells on and peeling them can get a bit messy.
Fumi’s Shrimp Farm
Fumi’s serves fresh shrimp that are raised on a farm adjacent to the stand where they’re served. Their shrimp are simply sautéed with butter and garlic. Sometimes simple is best!
Romy’s Kahuku Prawns Shrimp Hut
Situated between Giovanni’s and Fumi’s, Romy’s is a stand-alone shack that also serves fresh shrimp from a farm on their property. Their shrimp comes with the heads on (eek!) and are served sautéed in tons of garlic with a side of spicy, shoyu dipping sauce. Those who have tried them all typically vote this sauce as the best of the three.
The last time I came here, I waited in line just to find out they were only taking call-ahead orders. Otherwise, it was going to be a 2-hour wait. People were ACTUALLY waiting that long too! This may have just been a covid-related business situation, but it doesn’t hurt to call ahead if you are planning a visit soon.
Frozen Yogurt
You’ve heard of popular Hawaiian frozen treats like shave ice, acai, and ice cream mochi, but don’t sleep on froyo! Ono Yo is located in the same food truck lot as Giovanni’s Shrimp at 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy. They serve fantastic froyo that incorporates fruity local flavors. The fruit toppings are fresh and the sauces are outstanding. Try the guava sauce or the lilikoi butter! View the menu here »
I got mine with kiwi, pineapple, strawberries and guava sauce!
Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane played a major role in Hawaii’s history. Along with pineapple, Sugarcane plantations used to be the largest employers in Hawaii when business was booming in the late 1900s. The last Hawaiian sugar mills have since closed, but you can still try sugarcane juice here in Kahuku!
Sugah Daddeh’s Kane Juice makes fresh local sugarcane juice out of its charming stand in the lot at the old Kahuku Sugar Mill (how appropriate!) Each cup is freshly pressed. You can actually see them put the sugarcane through a machine that squeezes the bright yellow-green juice out just for you! Add some fruit flavors for an addicting pick-me-up. Cane juice boats a list of nutritional benefits such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin and more.
@lauralohatravel Must-try ##Hawaii flavors: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice from Sugah Daddeh’s in Kahuku on ##Oahu. I had ##lilikoi (passion fruit) added to mine! 🥤😋
♬ Summer - Instrumental - Devinney
Fresh Fruit
If you’re looking for the best fresh fruit on the North Shore, you’ll find it at Kahuku Land Farm. In addition to the fresh coconuts they crack open right in front of you, this roadside farm stand offers a variety of the juiciest tropical fruit.
For a slightly higher charge, you can grab a baggy full of cut-up kiwi, lilikoi (passion fruit), guava, mango, and more. I have never had fruit this good!! It’s a great place to stop to balance out the savory food you just had from the food trucks!
These are just a few of the incredible spots you can grab a bite to eat in Kahuku or further along Oahu’s North Shore. Check out more of my favorite cafes, restaurants, smoothie stands, and more here.
I’d love to know if you have been to any of these places or which one you want to try most! Let me know in the comments 🙂
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