Portuguese-style yeasted dough fried golden and rolled in sugar. Dense, eggy, slightly crisped at the edges. Hawaii's canonical doughnut, eaten warm from the fryer at counters that have lined up since 1952.
Madeiran Portuguese plantation workers brought the malasada to Hawaii in the 1880s. They were originally a Shrove Tuesday tradition to use up sugar and lard before Lent. Leonard's Bakery in Kapahulu, opened 1952 by Frank Leonard Rego Sr., made them year-round and is now the canonical Hawaii malasada. The Leonard's Malasadamobile lunch trucks now park across Hawaii Kai and the East Side. Modern fillings include haupia coconut cream, lilikoi passionfruit, dobash chocolate and macadamia custard.
2 editor picks for Malasada in Honolulu, ranked by editorial score. All Honolulu signature dishes · Malasada across every city.
Leonard's Bakery ★ 4.7
933 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Leonard's Bakery in Kapahulu Honolulu has fried Portuguese malasadas since Leonard Rego opened the family shop in 1952, the canonical version of Hawaii's sugared yeast doughnut.
Leonard's Malasadamobile ★ 4.5
7190 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96825
Leonard's Malasadamobile on Kalanianaole Highway in Honolulu Kai is the mobile food truck arm of the 1952 Leonard's Bakery, frying the canonical Hawaii malasada on the side of the road.