The popularity of street food-inspired dishes is growing as an inexpensive and easy way to experience new flavors. Food trucks and food stands are filled with meats, grilled breads, tacos and hand-held desserts. Local fusion street foods are found all over the islands, showcasing our diverse culture. Barbecued chicken, garlic shrimp and malasadas are a few island street-food favorites.

These street foods from around the world can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Chicken Asada Street Tacos

• 1 pound flank or skirt steak
• 12 corn tortillas
• >> Marinade:
• 3 limes, juiced (if your limes are not juicy, add another one)
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (about a large handful)
• >> Garnishes:
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced white onions
• Lime wedges
• Avocado slices
• Pico de gallo (optional)
• Crumbled or shredded cheese (optional)

In a small bowl, combine marinade ingredients and mix well. Pour into plastic bag with steak and marinate a few hours.

Remove steak from marinade. Grill on medium-high heat to desired doneness.

Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes, then slice against grain into thin strips.

Fill warmed corn tortillas (use two for each taco) with some steak, and top with garnishes. Serves 3.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including garnishes): 650 calories, 29 g total fat, 6 g saturated fat, 90 mg cholesterol, 500 mg sodium, 58 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 41 g protein.

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Spicy Pork Meatball Bahn Mi

• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, basil or parsley
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 baguette, halved and cut into 4 pieces; lightly toasted
• Sliced jalapeno and fresh cilantro, for serving
• >> Sriracha aioli:
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Sriracha
• >> Carrot daikon salad:
• 2 medium carrots, julienned
• 1 cup julienned daikon
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

For carrot salad: Combine carrots and daikon. Toss with sugar, salt, vinegar and sesame oil. Set aside 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

In large bowl, combine ingredients through cornstarch; form into about 20 meatballs. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet; transfer to freezer 20 minutes.

Heat oil in cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high. Fry meatballs until cooked through.

For aioli: Combine mayonnaise and Sriracha in a small bowl.

Open up bread pieces, spread aioli on each side. Fill with salad, meatballs, jalapeno and cilantro. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (based on 21-inch baguette, not including salt to taste): 750 calories, 40 g total fat, 11 g saturated fat, 85 mg cholesterol, 1,500 mg sodium, 66 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 28 g protein.

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Loaded Kalua Pork Cups

• 1 (20-ounce) package shredded hash browns
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 large egg whites, beaten
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (16-ounce) container prepared kalua pork
• 1 cup shredded colby-Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• Minced chives, for garnish

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Coat 18 medium-size muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix hash browns, Parmesan cheese, egg whites and seasonings until blended. Divide mixture among muffin cups, press into bottoms and up sides of cups. Bake until edges are dark golden brown, 22-25 minutes.

Carefully run a knife around sides of each cup. Cool 5 minutes, then remove to serving platter.

Meanwhile, in a medium pot, heat kalua pork on medium-low.

Sprinkle cheese into cups. Top with pork, sour cream and bacon; sprinkle with chives. Serve warm. Makes 18 cups.

Approximate nutritional information, per muffin cup: 150 calories, 9 g total fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 1 g sugar, 8 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.