The owners of Side of Aloha restaurant want the spirit of the Hawaiian and Pacific Rim islands to come alive in every bite. The restaurant, located at 11580 S. District Main Drive in South Jordan, opens at the end of August, offering menu items like succulent poke bowls and island-inspired dishes. 

Nina Alu and her husband, Kiel Dela Pena, are Hawaiian natives and Utah locals influencing Salt Lake County’s culinary scene with their vibrant, traditional cuisine. As owners and chefs at Side of Aloha, they want to create a unique dining experience that celebrates the essence of aloha.

“We’re sharing what Hawaii's food really is,” Alu said. “We’re trying to identify who we are as Hawaiians because people don’t necessarily know what Hawaiian food is. They think it’s just mix-plate. At Side of Aloha, you’ll find a blend of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Portuguese. It’s a different style of cooking because of the influences that we had in Hawaii.”

Food is a form of love on the Hawaiian islands where cooking and sharing meals is a way of life. Growing up on the Big Island of Hawaii, in the coastal village of Napo’opo’o, Alu learned fishing and the importance of preparing healthy meals from her grandmother and mother. Pena grew up in Waimea, on the mountainside of the Big Island, where his family were ranchers.

They want to create a community built around the idea that food is an important part of life and gathering together to eat a meal creates strong bonds. Everything they do with Side of Aloha showcases Hawaiian culture and hospitality. 

Previously located in Draper, Side of Aloha opened in 2018 before moving to South Jordan this summer. Serving Hawaiian Pacific Rim cuisine has given them a reputation for good food and an authentic experience in Hawaiian culture. The new location will offer an expanded menu that includes brunch, lunch, dinner and a bar with specialty drinks. 

Menu items include Crack Mac, a macaroni salad topped with bacon and macadamia nuts; passionfruit marinated and grilled pork, drizzled with Liliko'i homemade jelly; furikake chicken with a sweet citrus sauce topped with a savory Japanese seasoning blend; and several varieties of poke, a dish of raw fish, cubed and tossed in a variety of sauces.

All their food and fish comes from the best sources, said Alu, noting that much of it is sourced from Hawaii. 

“We want to give an experience and share our culture, but also show the importance of really good food, and making sure the food is always high quality,” Alu said. “Food is something that brings us together. That’s what Side of Aloha is. It’s a place that people describe as feeling peace, feeling welcome. Like a family feel. And that’s what we are. As Hawaiians, we embrace and accept everyone.”

For a full menu, and information about catering, poke parties and online ordering, visit SideOfAloha.com. Follow their Instagram @sideofaloha for information about the grand opening. λ