Food Truck Excellence

Mobile kitchens serving up some of Maui's most incredible flavors

Jade Kawanui, local food expert and author

Written by a Local Expert

Food Truck Excellence

🦐 9. Geste Shrimp Truck - Kahului

This legendary truck proves that sometimes the best food comes from the simplest concepts. They serve shrimp plates, period. But they've perfected every aspect of preparation and flavor to create something truly special.

The Hawaiian scampi drowns plump shrimp in garlic butter that's been cooked just long enough to mellow the harshness while keeping the flavor bright. Served over rice, it's pure comfort food.

Their hot and spicy version brings serious heat that builds with each bite, while the spicy pineapple balances sweet and fire in a way that keeps you coming back for more.

Pro Tip: Often cash-only, and the wait can stretch to 45 minutes during peak times. But watching them cook your order fresh makes the wait part of the experience.

🍛 10. Thai Mee Up - Kahului

Hidden in a food truck lot near Costco, this truck serves some of the most authentic Thai food on the island. Chef-owner Pranee brings recipes from her grandmother's kitchen in Thailand, adapted slightly for local tastes.

The fried pork ribs arrive impossibly crispy, with meat that falls off the bone. The five-spice coating adds warmth and complexity that makes these ribs unlike anything else on the island.

Their panang curry strikes the perfect balance between rich coconut milk and aromatic curry paste, with tender beef that's been slow-cooked until it melts on your tongue.

The som tam (papaya salad) provides the perfect cooling contrast, crisp green papaya with a dressing that hits every flavor note from sour lime to funky fish sauce.

🐟 11. South Maui Fish Company - Kihei

This truck in the South Maui Gardens food lot specializes in incredibly fresh, locally caught fish prepared simply to let the quality shine through.

Their poke bowls feature fish that was swimming yesterday, cubed and marinated just long enough to absorb flavors without masking the natural taste. The rice is perfectly seasoned, and the vegetables add crunch and freshness.

The fish tacos showcase how local ingredients can transform a simple dish. Fresh fish, local lettuce, and house-made salsa verde wrapped in soft tortillas that hold everything together perfectly.

What sets them apart: Their direct relationships with local fishermen, ensuring the catch goes from boat to bowl in hours, not days.

🍱 12. Kitoko - Kihei

This is "fine dining on wheels"—Chef Cole Hinueber creates stunningly beautiful bento boxes that rival any restaurant presentation. His background in high-end kitchens shows in every carefully composed plate.

The bento boxes change based on what's fresh and seasonal, but expect creative fusion that respects both Japanese techniques and Hawaiian ingredients. Think house-made tofu with Maui vegetables, or local fish prepared with French techniques and Japanese flavors.

The presentation is Instagram-worthy, but the flavors are what keep locals coming back. Each component is perfectly executed and works in harmony with the others.

Note: Prices reflect the quality—these aren't your typical food truck portions or prices, but the value is evident in every bite.

🍣 13. Satori - Makawao

This unique sushi truck in Upcountry emphasizes farm-to-table ingredients, creating rolls that showcase Maui's agricultural bounty. Local produce meets traditional sushi techniques in surprising and delicious ways.

Their vegetable rolls feature produce picked that morning from nearby farms—crisp cucumbers, sweet carrots, and even flowers that add both beauty and flavor. The rice is perfectly seasoned and the nori crispy.

The creative fusion extends to rolls featuring local fish with Upcountry vegetables, creating combinations that wouldn't work anywhere but Hawaii. The ingredients are so fresh and high-quality that minimal preparation lets them shine.

Location: Located in the heart of Makawao, it's the perfect stop after exploring the charming paniolo town.