[This post was originally published July 22, 2019. An image-based step-by-step guide on how to make Lomi Lomi salmon at home was added on September 26, 2019. ].
Lomi Lomi Salmon is a Hawaiian side dish (made from salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions). Its a must-have for any Hawaiian meal or luau. Heres everything you need to know about Lomi Lomi Salmon, plus a step-by-step photo recipe!.
Lomi Lomi Salmon at home. Step-by-step recipe below ^_^
Lomi lomi salmon is a quintessential side dish in Hawaiian cuisine, found at luaus and plate lunch joints across the islands. But despite its popularity, many mainlanders who encounter it for the first time have questions about what exactly it is and how it’s made The main source of confusion stems from its key ingredient – raw salmon So is lomi lomi salmon raw? Let’s take a closer look at the origins and preparation of this traditional Hawaiian delicacy.
A Brief History of Lomi Lomi Salmon
To understand if lomi lomi salmon is raw, we first need to understand where it comes from. Lomi lomi salmon has its roots in Hawaiian poke a raw fish salad made with seafood like tuna or octopus. Ancient Hawaiians would season their poke with alaea sea salt or octopus liver before eating it with poi.
Salmon itself was introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800s by whalers, traders, and contract laborers returning from the Pacific Northwest. Since fresh salmon wouldn’t make the long sea voyage back to the islands, they brought it cured in salt barrels. Salted salmon quickly became popular in Hawaii as asubstitute for salt cod.
The word “lomi lomi” comes from the Hawaiian word for “to massage.” This refers to the way the salmon is rubbed with salt to make it cure or season. As tomatoes and onions were added over time, lomi lomi changed from its poke roots to the famous side dish it is today.
Is Lomi Lomi Salmon Served Raw?
The short answer is yes – lomi lomi salmon is a raw fish preparation. Traditional recipes call for fresh salted salmon that has been cured for a few days. The salmon is then diced into small pieces and gently massaged with chopped tomatoes, onions, and green onions.
Today, some types of lomi lomi include scallions, chili peppers, soy sauce, or sesame oil, among other things. But the traditional recipe only calls for raw salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions; it doesn’t need to be cooked.
Part of what distinguishes lomi lomi salmon from a typical mainland salmon dish is this emphasis on raw preparation. The rawness preserves the delicate texture of the salmon and allows the natural flavors to shine. In the cool temperatures of Hawaii, serving fish raw posed no safety concerns.
Why the Confusion Over Rawness?
Why is lomi lomi salmon so hard to understand if it’s just a raw salad? There are a few reasons why both tourists and people from the mainland get lost:
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Appearance: Dicing the salmon and tossing it with vegetables makes lomi lomi salmon resemble a cooked salsa. The small uniform cubes look more like a pico de gallo than sashimi.
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Lack of familiarity: Raw salmon dishes are less common in much of the mainland U.S. Dishes like salmon tartare or salmon poke are still working their way into the mainstream.
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Food safety concerns: Food poisoning risks make some tourists hesitant to try raw seafood, especially if they’re not used to eating raw fish.
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Salting process: The fact that the salmon is cured with salt tricks some people into thinking it’s been cooked or otherwise processed.
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Chilled serving style: Lomi lomi salmon is always served cold or over ice, reinforcing the illusion that it’s a cooked chilled dish.
So while the rawness of lomi lomi may be unexpected, it’s simply staying true to the poke tradition it evolved from. The salting serves to preserve the salmon and enhance flavor.
Give Authentic Lomi Lomi Salmon a Try
Next time you’re in Hawaii, don’t be afraid to accept a heaping spoonful of lomi lomi salmon alongside your plate lunch or at a luau. Trying this iconic Hawaiian delicacy is a great way to immerse yourself in local food culture. Keep an open mind about its rawness – aloha spirit means being willing to try new things!
What Kind of Name is Lomi Lomi Salmon?
Okay, let’s look at where the name comes from. Lomi lomi is the Hawaiian word for to rub or blend. Have you heard of deep tissue / lomi lomi massages before? Its the same word ^_^.
That’s why “lomi lomi salmon” means to very lightly mix or knead the salted salmon with all the other ingredients.
Lomi lomi salmon, lau lau, and poke from Yamas Fish Market (Oahu)
How to Make Lomi Lomi Salmon
There are just four ingredients to making lomi lomi salmon: salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions.
I like to use this ratio:
- half-pound salted salmon
- 2 medium tomatoes
- one big onion (a sweet Maui onion is best)
- three to six green onion stalks (its up to me how much or how little).
You can add more/less of any ingredient if your prefer. My dad loves tomatoes so he uses more tomatoes. I love salted salmon, so I often increase the amount of salmon. Feel free to change up the ratios till you find the one you like best.
Heres the process:
First, dice all the ingredients (you want small, bite-sized pieces, think pencil eraser size). Dice the white/sweet onions and the green onions.
Dice the tomatoes.
Dice the salted salmon (see below for where to buy or make salted salmon).
Put all the diced ingredients together in a big bowl.
Then lomi (aka gently knead) the ingredients together until well mixed. Keep in the fridge for an hour or so to marinate/let the flavors combine. You want to eat lomi lomi salmon cold. There is no need to salt or season the dish because the salmon is already salted. Eat and enjoy!
Lomilomi Salmon Hawaiian Raw Fish Salsa
FAQ
What is Lomi Lomi salmon made of?
Why is it called lomi salmon?
How long does lomi salmon last in the fridge?
How to make salmon edible raw?
What is lomi lomi salmon?
In Hawaiian, lomi lomi means to knead or massage. Lomi lomi salmon is salted salmon that is gently kneaded aka mixed together with other ingredients (tomatoes, onions, and green onions). Regarding the onions: if you can find sweet Maui onions, definitely use that (I know it’s hard to find outside of Hawaii).
How do you eat lomi lomi in Hawaii?
Lomi Lomi is often served on plate lunch in Hawaii. This tomato-based salad is juicy with crisp, sweet onions, and a salty bite from the salmon. Rinse your salmon filet in cool water and pat dry. Spread out plastic wrap on your counter or cutting board, place the salmon on top of it, and sprinkle salt onto the salmon filet.
What is Hawaiian lomi lomi?
Hawaiian lomi lomi is a ubiquitous traditional massage, often practiced to relieve physical and emotional stress. Lomi means “to rub”, “to massage” or “to work with the fingers”. First, the salmon must be salted. Salted salmon is a kind of gravlax but with no sugar or dill.
How do you make Lomi lomi salmon?
Lomi Lomi Salmon is made with just 4 ingredients: raw salted salmon, tomatoes, white onion (can be substituted with any sweet onion) and green onions. If you can’t find salted salmon, I’ve added instructions in the recipe below on how you can easily cure it at home. The most interesting thing is that salmon doesn’t live anywhere near Hawaii!