The Best Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn Recipe (Furikake & Mochi Crunch)
If you've ever been to the islands or a local movie theater, you know that ordinary popcorn just doesn't cut it. Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn is the iconic snack that brings together East and West flavors—a perfect mix of crunchy, salty, savory, and sweet.
It's an explosion of flavor achieved by combining fresh popcorn with melted butter, a hint of savory shoyu (soy sauce), umami-rich furikake, and the essential crunch of arare (mochi crunch). It's an unforgettable snack that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Below, we share the definitive recipe and give you an extra tip on how to create the popular Li Hing Mui Hurricane Popcorn variation that local people love!
Ingredients & Tools for Hurricane Popcorn
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
| Fresh Popcorn | 10 cups (about ½ cup unpopped kernels) | Pop in an air popper or stove-top for best results. |
| Unsalted Butter | 6 Tablespoons | Melted. You can use clarified butter (ghee) to prevent sogginess. |
| Shoyu (Soy Sauce) | ½ Teaspoon | A light drizzle adds essential umami flavor. |
| Granulated Sugar | ¼ Teaspoon | Just a hint to balance the salt. |
| Nori Furikake | ¼ to ½ Cup | Use generously! Essential Japanese rice seasoning. |
| Arare (Mochi Crunch) | 1 to 1 ½ Cups | The secret ingredient for crunch! |
Step-by-Step Directions Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn Recipe
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Prep Popcorn: Pop your kernels and transfer the warm popcorn immediately to your largest mixing bowl (or a large, sturdy paper bag). Discard any unpopped kernels.
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Combine Liquid Mix: In a small, separate bowl, melt your 6 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the shoyu (soy sauce) and the granulated sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
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Drizzle and Toss: Working quickly while the popcorn is still warm, gradually drizzle the entire butter mixture over the popcorn. Use a large spoon or spatula to toss the popcorn vigorously, ensuring it is evenly coated.
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Add Furikake: Sprinkle the Nori Furikake evenly over the popcorn. Toss vigorously again. The warm, buttered surface will help the seasoning adhere perfectly to every piece.
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Mix in Arare: Pour in the Arare (Mochi Crunch) and give the entire batch a final, thorough toss. Serve immediately for the ultimate crunch!
Pro Tip: How to Make Li Hing Mui Hurricane Popcorn
To replicate the popular movie theater version, simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Li Hing Mui Powder to the butter mixture in Step 2. The sweet-salty-sour plum flavor adds an incredible complexity to the snack.
Why Does Everyone Love This Hawaiian Snack?
Hurricane Popcorn is a perfect reflection of Hawaii's unique food culture—a seamless blend of Japanese seasoning, mainland movie theater tradition, and local shoyu flavor. It's the ultimate combination of:
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Crunch: From the Mochi Crunch (Arare).
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Salty/Sweet: From the butter, salt, and sugar.
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Umami: From the Furikake (seaweed and sesame).
Find Your Ingredients Here
Ready to make the best Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn? We offer all the essential ingredients you need, shipped directly from Hawaii to your kitchen.
Final Thoughts: Catch the Flavor Wave
Hurricane Popcorn is more than just a snack—it's an essential taste of island life. By combining the buttery goodness of popcorn with the savory richness of Furikake and the satisfying crunch of Mochi Crunch (Arare), you’ve created a snack that's impossible to put down.
Whether you’re making it for a movie night or to share with friends, this recipe brings aloha right into your home. Don't wait—grab your ingredients and make your own batch of this irresistible Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do you keep Hurricane Popcorn from getting soggy?
A: The key is to use clarified butter (ghee) or to ensure you drizzle the butter mixture very lightly and toss the popcorn immediately while it's still warm. Using oil (like coconut oil) to pop the kernels instead of a microwave bag can also help maintain crispness.
Q: Where can I buy the Mochi Crunch (Arare) and Furikake seasoning?
A: Both Mochi Crunch (Arare) and Furikake are essential ingredients for this recipe and are commonly found in most Asian grocery stores. You can also purchase a variety of high-quality Furikake and Arare directly from Snack Hawaii and have them shipped right to your door! (Action: Link Mochi Crunch and Furikake here to your product pages)
Q: Can I add Li Hing Mui powder to my Hurricane Popcorn?
A: Absolutely! Adding Li Hing Mui Powder is a popular local variation that gives the popcorn a sweet, sour, and salty kick. We recommend starting with 1 to 2 tablespoons of powder, mixed into the butter/shoyu mixture, then tossed with the popcorn.
Q: What is the difference between Mochi Crunch and Arare?
A: They are the same! Arare is the Japanese term for small rice crackers, while Mochi Crunch is the popular Hawaiian term used to describe those same crunchy, shoyu-glazed rice crackers when mixed into popcorn or enjoyed as a snack.
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