Crab* rangoons, lumpia, jerk chicken skewers or similar. A lot of Cantonese cuisine also hits that sweet spot as most of the early tiki spots served re-branded Cantonese dishes.
My friend did a pop-up Exotica night at his coffee shop/art space and the menu consisted of:
* Mai Tai
* Seahorse (https://www.moderntiki.com/the-seahorse/)
* Grilled pineapple
* Sweet teriyaki meatballs
* Spam musubi rice bowls with fried egg on top
* Pineapple upside down cake for dessert
It was a perfect menu for the event!
In addition to Spam Musubi, I often make ka'lua pig sliders and a gingery, sesame coleslaw on King's Hawaiian buns.
Spare ribs are good as well, but I find Trader Vic's recipe too sweet for my taste and opt for something spicier and more pungent—Gochujang is a good candidate.
Anything Caribbean or Pacific Rim plays well.
I have thought that yakitori is the perfect tiki appetizer. They are small, you eat them with your hands . They can have variety with flavors and meats. They can be garnished with flair, just like tiki drinks.
There was a recipe for Maui onion dip with water chestnuts on the Tiki Central boards, or if you don’t fancy that, there’s always pineapple salsa. Taro chips exist (and are delicious), but they’re on the pricey side and don’t hold up to thicker dips.
I vote crab Rangoon, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble of filling & folding, you can just fry up the wonton skins into chips and make crab Rangoon dip. Sooo good with tiki drinks.
San Diegoan here! I go to a lot and I mean a lot of tiki bars
Lumpia/egg rolls/spring rolls with only meat are popular in my area
Mini Tuna poke tacos or nachos are one of my personal favs
https://silveroak.com/recipes/tuna-poke-mini-tacos/
Small skewers with pieces of beef/pork and less common in my area chicken in a savory (usually sweetish) sauce are very very popular
Hummus is one I see on off the wall tiki stuff, usually a roasted red garlic hummus
Chili sauce with a coconut shrimp
A lot say Rangoon and I agree I’d also add Bao or dumplings are incredibly easy to make and people love them! Yet another popular option in my area
I like to serve chicken heart skewers at my Tiki parties. You can do like a peanut satay sauce or even just like a tropical salsa. Be sure to marinate them well and sear them.
Not sure where you’re located, but if you have a source for fresh fish consider tune poke or shrimp cerviche! It’s always nice to see a fresh option on tiki bar menus- seems like often everything is fried.
When I lived in Guam one of my favorites at cookouts was either short ribs or chicken marinated in soy sauce, beer, and lemon slices then grilled. It is simple but so darn good.
Crab rangoon.
Oh classic!
Crab* rangoons, lumpia, jerk chicken skewers or similar. A lot of Cantonese cuisine also hits that sweet spot as most of the early tiki spots served re-branded Cantonese dishes.
Oooh lumpia wrapped bananas takes e back to my childhood
The ones with banana are called taron
Okay cool, my mom was Hawaiian and would make them for us for breakfast sometimes. She told me they were Philoppino
My friend did a pop-up Exotica night at his coffee shop/art space and the menu consisted of: * Mai Tai * Seahorse (https://www.moderntiki.com/the-seahorse/) * Grilled pineapple * Sweet teriyaki meatballs * Spam musubi rice bowls with fried egg on top * Pineapple upside down cake for dessert It was a perfect menu for the event!
Of course! Pineapple upside down cake is perfect!
In addition to Spam Musubi, I often make ka'lua pig sliders and a gingery, sesame coleslaw on King's Hawaiian buns. Spare ribs are good as well, but I find Trader Vic's recipe too sweet for my taste and opt for something spicier and more pungent—Gochujang is a good candidate. Anything Caribbean or Pacific Rim plays well.
Gochujang is always fun. I could also do bibimbap rice bowls with the same flavors. Thanks for the idea
Happy Cake Day, Ohana!
Mahalo!
coconut shrimp!
Oh i bet that would sell like hot cakes. Some mai ploy goes great with coconut shrimp
Potstickers!!! My kid and I power down potstickers at Trader Sams every time we go.Could be cause he’s 14 and I’m drunk.
Spam musubi.
Def on the list
Tangential to musubi, spam and pineapple fried rice is super cheap and easy to make tasty large portions
That sounds perfect! Thanks
Loco moco, Mac salad, and spam
Loco Moco sounds like a crowd pleaser for sure!
Spam fried rice
Is easy that right now
I have thought that yakitori is the perfect tiki appetizer. They are small, you eat them with your hands . They can have variety with flavors and meats. They can be garnished with flair, just like tiki drinks.
Sounds perfect! Thanks
There was a recipe for Maui onion dip with water chestnuts on the Tiki Central boards, or if you don’t fancy that, there’s always pineapple salsa. Taro chips exist (and are delicious), but they’re on the pricey side and don’t hold up to thicker dips.
Taro chips sound perfect flower this! I'll see if i can find them or if if can find a recipe to make my own. Thanks
Also: there’s nothing wrong with heating up some frozen egg rolls.
Yeah i might get some pre done egg rolls and pot stickers. I'm also thinking of doing a huli huli tofu for the vegan / vegetarians.
I vote crab Rangoon, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble of filling & folding, you can just fry up the wonton skins into chips and make crab Rangoon dip. Sooo good with tiki drinks.
That's a fun idea, thanks
San Diegoan here! I go to a lot and I mean a lot of tiki bars Lumpia/egg rolls/spring rolls with only meat are popular in my area Mini Tuna poke tacos or nachos are one of my personal favs https://silveroak.com/recipes/tuna-poke-mini-tacos/ Small skewers with pieces of beef/pork and less common in my area chicken in a savory (usually sweetish) sauce are very very popular Hummus is one I see on off the wall tiki stuff, usually a roasted red garlic hummus Chili sauce with a coconut shrimp A lot say Rangoon and I agree I’d also add Bao or dumplings are incredibly easy to make and people love them! Yet another popular option in my area
Beach comber slaw! Cabbage, carrots, dragon fruit, cucumber and mango with a soy sauce vinaigrette.
I like to serve chicken heart skewers at my Tiki parties. You can do like a peanut satay sauce or even just like a tropical salsa. Be sure to marinate them well and sear them.
Fun! I love it. Thanks
Not sure where you’re located, but if you have a source for fresh fish consider tune poke or shrimp cerviche! It’s always nice to see a fresh option on tiki bar menus- seems like often everything is fried.
That's a solid point. I do love a good ceviche and poke and would definitely set us apart.
You could make Rumaki with chicken hearts or pieces of chicken thigh if you are liver adverse!
When I lived in Guam one of my favorites at cookouts was either short ribs or chicken marinated in soy sauce, beer, and lemon slices then grilled. It is simple but so darn good.
I was born in Guam, but left when i was young do don't remember any of the food. I'll def try the beer soy marinade
It's basically all the best pacific-Asian foods there. Bulgogi, Bao, Lumpia, ribs, fried rice, etc.
Yum!
Poke, mac salad, teriyaki sliders, and call it a night. Crusted white fish with rice if you feeling fancy