Lomi lomi salmon is a staple of Hawaiian cuisine. This dish is like a salad, and it contains chopped onions, tomatoes, and salted salmon. The creation of this popular side dish is a testament to the Hawaiian Islands’ rich history in commerce and exploration, which you can learn more about here.

How Salmon Was Introduced

In 1829, the Hudson’s Bay Company opened shop in Honolulu. Although the city was widely known as a fur trading outpost, it also operated as a base for commercial fisheries from British Columbia. The company purchased salmon and pickled it in barrels. This made it easier to preserve on boats when sailors made long journeys. Islanders worked at the company’s outposts, bringing salted salmon back from their travels and giving rise to its popularity in Hawaiian cuisine.

Where the Other Ingredients Came From

The fish was easily sourced from the surrounding ocean, and the other ingredients became rabidly abundant. Captain James Cook brought onion seeds to the islands in 1778. Around the same time in the late 1700s, Spanish horticulturist Francisco de Paula Marin brought tomatoes to the Hawaiian Islands. In addition to salted salmon, onions, and tomatoes, the dish contains sea salt to bring out the ingredients’ flavors, as well as crushed ice to cleanse the palate. The availability of resources contributes to lomi lomi salmon’s continued popularity.

If you’re inspired by lomi lomi salmon’s unique flavors, pick up smoked fish to make your own Hawaiian cuisine creation at home. Amor Nino Foods in Honolulu, HI, is a fish distributor that has provided families with authentic, high-quality Hawaiian and Filipino food and ingredients for over 30 years. Their inventory includes dried aku, smoked marlin, fish sauce, and marinated milk fish. View their products online, or call (808) 845-3288 to find a retailer near you.