If you love Hawaiian food, you'll enjoy lomi lomi salmon. This savory dish is often paired with other Hawaiian staples, like kalua pig and poi, to complete a delicious and traditional meal. Learn more about the preparation, flavors, and history of lomi lomi salmon in this helpful guide. 

How Lomi Lomi Salmon Is Prepared & Served 

Lomi lomi salmon is a raw fish dish similar to South American ceviche. The dish begins with curing salmon in salt for hours or days. The term lomi means to "rub or work with the fingers," which refers to the next stage of preparing this delicious Hawaiian food. After the salmon has been cured in salt, it's rinsed off, diced into bite-sized pieces, and mixed with tomatoes, sweet white onions, and scallions. The dish is served in small bowls and may be set over ice to keep the salmon cold and fresh. 

Depending on the flavors you prefer, lomi lomi salmon can be seasoned with additional spices, herbs, or liquids. Some people like to add vinegar or chile peppers for heat and an extra burst of flavor. 

The History of Lomi Lomi Salmon 

Lomi lomi salmon is highly popular in Hawaii now, but its origins as a complete dish are unclear. Its ingredients showed up in different times in the state's history. Onions came first with the English explorer Captain Hook in the late 1770s. Then, in the 1790s, horticulturalist Francisco de Paula Marin moved to Hawaii from Spain and introduced tomatoes to the island. 

Native Hawaiians may have brought salmon in the 1700s as they took positions on fur trade ships, but its origins can also be traced back to Canada's Hudson Bay Company. This trading business opened an office on the island in the 1800s. Timber and salmon were two of its largest exports from the Hawaii market. 

At some point, all these ingredients came together to create the now-famous Hawaiian food, lomi lomi salmon. It continues to be a beloved dish among locals and visitors alike.

If you want to try lomi lomi salmon, turn to Hawaii Food Products. This Waipahu food supplier has distributed local favorites for more than 60 years. They source fresh ingredients from Hawaiian farmers, employ local workers, and use traditional cooking techniques to create authentic, delicious foods. See their products online, or give them a call at (808) 676-9100 to place an order.