Aku Eats Oahu : Local Grindz : Specialty Local Products : Malasadas

Malasadas

This Portuguese import is a deep-fried donut without a hole and covered with sugar. The outside is nice and crispy while the light,fluffy inside is so soft that it is actually more comparable to bread than a donut. These treats are found at several bakeries around the island as well as at fairs and carnivals around the state, but are also employed as a dessert in many regular and even high-end restaurants, usually with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream and some fancy sauce drizzled all over. These days, they can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, including vanilla custard, haupia, chocolate, lilikoi, and banana crème, and dusted with cinnamon as well as sugar on the outside. A simple yet delicious treat indeed. When purchased in boxes of a dozen or more, they make great gifts for backyard get-togethers or parties.

The perfect take-out gift for any party and a favorite snack for many generations of islanders.

Da Big Boy: Leonard’s.

Leonard’s Bakery. 933 Kapahulu Ave. 737-5591. Daily 6am-9pm. Parking outside store. Map. This island fixture was the first to bring malasadas to the islands commercially. The unmistakably bold red and white stripes can mean only one thing to generations of islanders, whether at the main store or painted on to one of their mobile wagons scattered around the island. Leonard’s is the standard by which all other malasadas are measured, but it doesn’t stop there, at least at the main store where there is a full-fledged bakery with a large assortment of cookies, tarts, pies, cakes, breads, and much more.

Leonard's Bakery is the King of the malasada heap in the islands.

Leonard’s Jr. 98-040 at the Waimalu S.C. in Pearl City. 484-1545. Monday-Thursday 6am-9pm, Friday and Saturday 6am-10pm. Parking in center lot. Map. Yep, it actually is Junior running this small shop. Nothing else here but malasadas and a few bottled drinks, but that’s ok, because the malasadas are of the same quality as in pop’s main store.

Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop. 46 Hoolai st. in Kailua. 262-5367. Tuesday-Saturday 6am-6pm, Sunday 6am-2pm, Monday closed. Parking outside store. Map. Out in Kailua, this little bakery also has many other yeasty treats. You’ll find it hard to resist the glazed donuts and buttery rolls available while picking up your malasadas, which are a little bit denser than the lighter variety of Leonard’s.

Champion Malasadas. 1926 S. Beretania St. in McCully/Moilili. 947-8778. Tuesday-Saturday 6am-9pm, Sunday 6:30-7pm, Monday closed. Parking outside store. Map. These malasadas are just as light, if not lighter, than leonard’s but carries a slightly tangy aftertaste that makes this malasada just a little bit different. They also have other bakery items available.

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