USA. Global travel restaurateur HMSHost, a Dufry Group company, has unveiled Mauka Market – a dining concept at Honoulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport’s new concourse.
Named after the nearby mountains, the Mauka Market aims to reflect a Sense of Place by showcasing locally-inspired cuisine and homegrown retail offers.
The new restaurant accommodates 92 covers and its menu includes a variety of pupus (starters) such as street fries, which are made with togarashi, aioli, yaki glaze, furikake, scallion and bonito.
It also features contemporary dishes like loco moco – a half-pound grilled local beef patty atop steamed furikake rice with brown gravy, cage-free fried eggs, mac salad, scallion and crispy onions.
Mauka Market also serves ramen, including black garlic tonkotsu made with pork belly, wood ear mushroom, menma, pickled ginger, scallion and sesame in a creamy pork broth.
A selection of locally inspired breakfast dishes is also available including kama’aina breakfast, paniolo steak and eggs and haupia French toast.
The restaurant also highlights a full bar offering island-inspired cocktails made with regional flavours like lilikoi, guava, lychee, pineapple and coconut. It serves local spirits such as Ocean Organic Vodka and Kōloa Rum, both distilled from local sugar cane. Local craft brews from Aloha Beer Co. and Kona Brewing are on tap, as well as an assortment of bottles and cans.
HMSHost has partnered with popular Hawaiian brands to offer an array of grab-and-go beverages and snacks. The restaurant offers sweet, salty and crunchy macadamia nut snacks from Island Princess and Diamond Bakery’s classic cookies, which are made with island flavours like pineapple, lilikoi, taro and more.
Mauka Market’s grab-and-go is open 24/7 and is equipped with a smart self-checkout.
Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said: “Food and drink are a significant part of our island culture and the Hawaii travel experience. HMSHost’s latest offering, Mauka Market, showcases our local flavours conveniently in our Mauka concourse to provide a last great meal in the islands, or an amazing welcome.”
HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Anthony Alessi added: “Mauka Market pays homage to the land and resources Hawaii provides. We are delighted to offer visitors a taste of the islands the moment they arrive at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and offer locals a taste of home before they depart.”
HMSHost Senior Director of Operations at HNL Chris Kadohiro said: “As a local of Hawaii, I’m excited to welcome guests to Mauka Market. Here, travellers and kama’aina become ‘ohana, and we look forward to serving them a delicious meal with exceptional hospitality and aloha.” ✈
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
The company also hosts The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which will take place on 12-13 September in Bangkok, Thailand after a four-year COVID-driven absence. Notably, FAB’s remit has been extended this year to feature wider airport hospitality services, including hotels and lounges. Click on the image above for more.
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