I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme is open-ended. My goal is to write daily posts using each letter of the alphabet in April (Sundays off for good behavior and to make it work for the alphabet). I’ll be writing family stories, memoir or journal prompts, reviews about theatre and food, maybe a visit from my sock puppet characters Millie and Willie, and using photos I’ve taken along the way. Enjoy!
B is for Break the Mouth a Pidgin English expression used in Honolulu, HI to describe food so good that it “breaks the mouth.” We recently were on vacation on the Hawaiian Islands, where we learned this expression from a cabbie, after experiencing a couple excellent meals.
On our first night in Honolulu, we stumbled into Chef Chai’s Restuarant. The first thing I did when I sat down was scrape my arm on a picture back that had fallen along the wall by my chair. It was black and I didn’t even see it. We ended up moving to a better table because the moisture from the A/C was dripping, which had caused the backing to fall. Turns out, this is one of the best places to eat in Honolulu. Once I got a band-aide for my cut, and we settled in, we ordered several small plates and a bottle of wine. Chef Chai came out to greet us and talked shop with The Biker Chef.
Shrimp tempura and Duck tacos
Chef Chai and The Biker Chef. The food does “Break the Mouth” at Chef Chai’s Restuaruant!
On our second night in Honolulu, we ate at Duke’s restaurant, located in the Outrigger Waikiki Resort on Waikiki Beach. It has one of the biggest and best salad bars you’ll ever experience. You could easily make that your meal, but why stop there! We decided to make our own surf and turf plate by ordering two meals and splitting them. We rolled back to our hotel! But, what a delicious dining adventure! The general manager came out to talk to us, there, as well.
Opa fish and beef filet with rice pilaf. Break the mouth? Oh, ya. And, burst the belly!
We had so many excellent meals from food carts to tucked away restaurants while we were on our vacation on the islands. I’ll save a few to share with you on another day, using up more letters!
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What are your favorite foods that “break the mouth?”
Hawaii has always been a dream destination of mine. When we travel, we always look for food! It’s so funny! People laugh because our posts are ALWAYS about the places we ate. We’re asked, “Well, what did you do?” And our response is, “EAT!” I think it’s one of the best ways to discover a place. And I love that expression! “Break the mouth”. I’ll be using that from now on!
Cheers!
Jen
It’s a culinary journey through life.
I went to Hawaii in 98. Stayed on the Big Island. It was wonderful. I loved the Manapua’s you find in every little stop or convenient store. That is sweet bread stuff with meat served hot like we do egg rolls or breakfast sandwiches. I also enjoyed the fish tacos which were made with shark. It was beautiful. I want to go back.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
Me, too, Juneta.
This is lovely Mary thank you, the photos are positively mouth watering! It would break my mouth if I tasted them! I love food – can’t recall anything right now … we’re out for dinner tonight maybe my friend will make something delicious!
I’m sure they will. Enjoy!
I am DEFINITELY going to remember that expression! Sadly, I’m allergic to seafood, but these pictures make my mouth water anyway. I love that you chatted with the chef, too–what a great experience! Would you go back to HI?
Too bad about the seafood. They have other delicious options.
Would love to visit Hawaii. Looks like you did have good food, but ouch on the scratch.
It is a tropical island paradise.
It sounds like near disaster turned out to be a good night. I’m not really a foodie.
When there is conversation about food I’m invariably asked why I’m not joining in, or what my favourite food is … and much to the annoyance of many I tell them, ‘I eat to live – I don’t live to eat.’
What a remarkable trait. Maybe it keeps you trimmer. Thanks for stopping by, Tom!
Oh my, oh my. I’m positively hungry now. 🙂 Looks very good, Mary, and as it happens it’s lunch time here, so I think I’m going to go make something that ‘breaks the mouth’ — spaghetti sounds good to me … angel hair pasta with marinara sauce.
Mmm. I’d like to have some of that! Break the mouth!
All the delicious food photos that I’ve seen on your blog over the months tell me that The Biker Chef’s meals ‘break the mouth.’
Michelle, He is the master of “Break the Mouth!”
Ooh, I love food posts! Thanks for sharing.
We went to Maui last year, and found the restaurants with a lot of hype (those with lines outside the door, etc) were not very good.
The best were the little local holes in the wall, like Surfside Deli.
For me, the best food was in China. I’ll never get over the food there! Sad to think I may never have it again.
China would be a dining adventure! We’re always on the lookout for the local’s favorites.
The food looks absolutely delicious! I wish Hawaii wasn’t so far away. I need to taste some of that goodness!
That’s the first I heard of this quote.
A Joyful Chaos
Thanks. I miss the food!
Interesting expression, thanks for sharing and for the photos too. Looks like it was a delightful trip!
Write What Inspires You Blog
OH, it was. A Dream trip.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard that expression before. I’d break my mouth on a sumptuous dessert, or any dish with chickpeas, mushrooms, tomatoes, and tempeh. There are also my standby comfort foods, pierogi and mashed potatoes with (vegetarian) gravy.
Those all sound delicious, Carrie-Anne.