Our Outdoor Umu Kitchen
Discover delicious, smokey flavors by joining us for an authentic Polynesian cooking experience.
Mauka Warriors Offers a Dining Experience Like No Other
At Mauka Warriors, we believe in bringing people together through food and culture. Our outdoor umu kitchen is a central part of our mission to share the traditional cooking methods and flavors of the Pacific Islands with our community. At our luau events, guests have the opportunity to not only taste our mouthwatering meals but also learn about the cultural significance of earth ovens and their role in Pacific Islander cuisine in activities and educational demonstrations.
What Is an Umu Kitchen?
An “umu” is a traditional earth oven that involves layering hot stones and banana leaves above ground to create a hot, smokey cooking environment that infuses food with unique and delicious flavors. At Mauka Warriors, we have recreated this traditional cooking method in our Hawaiian outdoor kitchen. Our skilled chefs use the same techniques and ingredients passed down for generations to prepare our dishes.
Our Four-Step Process
01 – Heat The Stones
The first step in creating this earth oven is to heat the stones as the cooking surface. These stones are usually volcanic and can retain heat for long periods, making them perfect for slow cooking.
02 – Season & wrap the food
While the stones are heating, our chefs season and wrap the food in banana leaves. This adds moisture and flavor to the dish as it cooks, creating a tender and tasty finished product.
03 – Add the Food
Once the stones are hot, our chefs carefully place the wrapped food on top of them, then add more banana leaves on top to keep the steam and flavors locked in.
04 – Cook & Enjoy
The food is left to cook for several hours, allowing all the flavors to meld together. Once ready, our chefs carefully remove the food to reveal a deliciously smokey and flavorful meal.
Where Did These Traditional Methods Come From?
While this cooking method is primarily associated with Samoan culture, the same techniques are also used under different names in other Pacific Islander cultures such as Tonga and Fiji. It is believed that this traditional cooking method was developed by Polynesian ancestors thousands of years ago and has been passed down through generations as a way to cook large quantities of food for community gatherings and celebrations.
Is "Umu" and "Imu" the Same?
If you’ve heard the term “imu”, you may be wondering if it’s the same. While they’re both earth ovens, an imu is a Hawaiian version that entails digging a large pit to cook the food in the ground. Every Polynesian culture has its unique take on earth ovens, but they all share a similar purpose—to create delicious, mouthwatering meals.
Enjoy Oahu's Largest Outdoor Umu at Mauka Warriors Luau
Come join us at Mauka Warriors Luau to experience the traditional flavors of the Pacific Islands. Our skilled chefs will take you on a culinary journey through the four-step cooking process while immersing you in breathtaking Polynesian culture and entertainment. So come hungry and leave with a happy stomach and heart. We can’t wait to share our Hawaiian above-ground kitchen with you!
