Hawaii is known for a varied cuisine with an Asian heritage that goes back 100 years. Japanese, Chinese (all varieties), Korean, Filipino.

Wait. There’s more. Hawaiian, Indian. Portuguese. French. Italian. Sometimes, all on the same menu.

Hawaii is in the middle of the ocean so you’d expect seafood to dominate. It does. Kinda. Pacific Rim food has become an art form and Hawaii, true to form and location, is right in the middle.

Seafood lovers will love what Hawaii’s chefs do to seafood. This new breed of chefs (represented by the likes of Sam Choy, Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi, and others) blends tastes of Hawaii with an incredible array of tastes from the countries that now make up Hawaii’s modern culture.

Chinese dim sum. Japanese sushi and sashimi. Korean ribs. Portuguese sausage and malasadas.

These are the basic tastes that local chefs are blending into a new Pacific Rim cultural “taste revolution.”

Of course, standard American (mainland) fare permeates Hawaii’s society these days. From fast food places like Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, and KFC, Hawaii has what most places have. Fast food.

Local fast food includes Kozo Sushi, Yummy Bar-B-Q, L & L Drive In, Leonard’s Bakery, and many others. The Hawaii local plate lunch is an island favorite, as is an invitation to a true Hawaiian Lu’au (feast).

Traditional luaus usually mark special events for friends and family. The main event: kahlua pig (pulled port) and poi (pounded taro root).

Hawaii chefs have done a superb job retaining the flavors and tastes and character of cultural foods, while masterfully blending ethnic foods into a new generation of tastes.

Locally, try these great places for the latest in Pacific Rim cuisine.

• Sam Choy’s on Kapahulu Avenue
• Sam Choy’s Breakfast Lunch and Crab on Nimitz Highway
• Alan Wong’s on King Street near McCully
• Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room in Ala Moana Center’s Macy’s
• Roys in Hawaii Kai

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.