Anyone exploring Hawaiian cuisine is bound to come across one dish in particular: Huli Huli Chicken. This spiced marinated chicken is one of the islands’ best-known specialities and delights with a perfect combination of sweet, savoury and slightly smoky flavours. Whilst poké bowls are now regarded worldwide as the epitome of Hawaiian cuisine, for many locals, Huli Huli Chicken is a true classic and an integral part of street festivals, barbecues and family celebrations.
But what actually makes this dish so special, and why is Huli Huli Chicken becoming increasingly popular even outside Hawaii?
What does ‘Huli Huli’ mean?
The Hawaiian word ‘huli’ means ‘to turn’ or ‘to flip’. The name originated in the 1950s, when the chicken was traditionally clamped between two grill grates and turned repeatedly whilst grilling. Visitors would often shout to the grill masters “Huli! Huli!” when it was time to turn the meat – and that is precisely how the dish got its name.
To this day, Huli Huli Chicken is often grilled over an open fire in Hawaii. The regular turning ensures the marinade caramelises evenly, giving the chicken its characteristic glossy surface and unmistakable flavour.
The secret of the marinade
The distinctive flavour of Huli Huli Chicken lies in its unique marinade. Unlike many classic BBQ dishes, it combines sweet, salty and spicy elements to create a harmonious whole.
Typical ingredients
The classic ingredients include:
- soya sauce
- brown sugar
- ginger
- garlic
- sesame oil
- Pineapple juice
During grilling, this creates a lightly caramelised glaze that remains intensely aromatic on the outside whilst staying wonderfully juicy on the inside. It is precisely this combination of Asian influences and tropical ingredients that makes Huli Huli Chicken one of the best-known dishes in Hawaiian cuisine.
A classic of Hawaiian cuisine
Hawaiian cuisine blends influences from Polynesia, Japan, China, Korea and the USA. This results in dishes that are both fresh and aromatic, combining a variety of flavour profiles.
Alongside poké bowls, Huli Huli Chicken is one of the islands’ most popular specialities. The dish is often served with:
- rice
- grilled pineapple
- fresh vegetables
- crisp salad
- Mac Salad, the traditional Hawaiian pasta salad
The balanced combination of savoury, sweet and slightly fruity flavours makes this dish a perfect example of the diversity of Hawaiian cuisine.
Making Huli Huli Chicken yourself
Anyone who enjoys cooking will find plenty of variations on the Huli Huli chicken recipe. High-quality ingredients and enough time for marinating are key to achieving that authentic flavour.
Ideally, the chicken should be left to marinate for several hours or even overnight, so that the flavours can penetrate deep into the meat. It is then grilled or cooked in the oven, and brushed with the marinade several times during cooking. This creates the characteristic glossy crust for which Huli Huli Chicken is famous worldwide.
Rice, grilled vegetables or fresh tropical fruit make particularly good accompaniments.
Enjoy Huli Huli Chicken in Munich
Of course, Huli Huli Chicken is also a delight to enjoy at the MAUI restaurant. Anyone looking to eat Hawaiian food in Munich will now find, alongside classic poké bowls, an ever-increasing range of other specialities from the island’s cuisine.
A modern Hawaiian restaurant combines traditional recipes with high-quality ingredients and puts a contemporary spin on well-known classics. This allows you to discover the diversity of Hawaiian cuisine far beyond poké.
Huli Huli Chicken is the ideal introduction, especially for anyone keen to discover new flavours. The combination of tender chicken, a sweet and savoury marinade and tropical flavours impressively demonstrates why Hawaiian cuisine is so popular worldwide today.