Lomi-lomi salmon facts for kids
Lomi salmon (often called lomi-lomi salmon) is a tasty side dish from Hawaiian cuisine. It is a fresh salad made with tomatoes and salmon. This dish was first shown to Hawaiians by sailors from Western countries a long time ago. It is always served cold.
What is Lomi Salmon?
Lomi salmon is a refreshing salad that is a popular part of Hawaiian meals. It mixes salty salmon with fresh vegetables. The main ingredients are usually shredded salmon, juicy tomatoes, and sweet Maui onions. Sometimes, people also add green onions called scallions. If it's not kept in a fridge, crushed ice might be added to keep it cool.
How is Lomi Salmon Made?
The name lomi-lomi salmon comes from how the dish is prepared. "Lomi-lomi" is a Hawaiian word that means "to massage." To make this salad, the salted salmon is shredded or diced. Then, it is gently mixed by hand with the other ingredients, like tomatoes and onions. This hand-mixing process is like a gentle massage for the food.
Where is Lomi Salmon Eaten?
Lomi-lomi salmon is a very traditional side dish. You will almost always find it served at Hawaiian parties called lū‘aus. A lū‘au is a big Hawaiian feast with lots of food and entertainment.
This salmon salad goes well with other traditional Hawaiian foods. These often include:
- Raw diced ahi tuna
- Poke, which is another type of raw fish salad
- Kalua pig, which is pork cooked slowly in an underground oven
- Laulau, a dish made of meat or fish wrapped in taro leaves
- Poi, a thick paste made from the taro plant
Lomi-lomi salmon is a classic and important part of most Hawaiian gatherings. It is seen as a true Hawaiian ethnic food.
