Hawaiian Fish Sandwich

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
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Updated on 07/1/21
Hawaii Fish Sandwich

Molly Watson. The Spruce Eats, 2011.
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 7 mins
Total: 17 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
835 Calories
40g Fat
72g Carbs
45g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 835
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 16g 79%
Cholesterol 168mg 56%
Sodium 946mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 72g 26%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 37g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 9mg 43%
Calcium 255mg 20%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 1160mg 25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This classic fish sandwich is a mainstay on Hawaiian menus, where it is often listed as a fish burger. The best one I ever had was from a lunch truck in the parking lot of a fish store—the kind of fish store right near the pier and the fish comes in, gets cleaned and put on ice in the counter within minutes, and eager customers show up early in the day lest their favorite sells out. Both the store and the truck had a lovely ocean view. I've modeled this recipe off that sandwich, but have experienced first-hand with this recipe what is always true about fish dishes: the fresher the fish, the tastier it will be.

In Hawaii, these sandwiches are usually made with mahi-mahi (a.k.a. Dorado) or ono, both of which are ocean fish with firm flesh and lots of flavors that give the "burger" a great meaty feel. Another firm white fish, like farmed tilapia, makes a perfectly tasty burger where and when mahi-mahi isn't available. Would this burger also work with salmon? Absolutely. Freshness and a certain thickness of the filet to stand up to the bun are all this sandwich require. 

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Ingredients

  • 4 fillets mahi-mahi

  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 dash cayenne, optional

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

  • 4 Hawaiian sweet bread buns

  • 4 tablespoons tartar sauce

  • 4 slices sweet Maui onions

  • 4 slices tomato

Steps to Make It

  1. Rinse the fish fillets and pat them dry. In a small bowl combine the salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly on both sides of all the fish filets.

  2. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil, and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, place the fillets in the pan. Cook, undisturbed, until the filets brown along the edges, about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to gently turn the filets over and continue cooking until the fish is cooked through and flaky in the center, about 3 more minutes.

  3. Lay out the buns, open. Spread each bun—top and bottom—with tartar sauce. Place a filet on each bun and top with an onion slice, a tomato slice, and lettuce leaves. Add the top buns and serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

  • Switch to another firm white fish.
  • Use Kauai red salt if you have it.
  • Regular hamburger buns are an excellent choice for these sandwiches.
  • Red onions will work as a substitute for sweet Maui onions.