Last August, when I was 8 months pregnant and had just moved back to O'ahu from the Big Island, I was scrolling Instagram and came across a local plate lunch truck called The Pupu Princess.
I hit follow right away -- and when I saw they were nearby, I waddled my very pregnant self over to grab a plate. I ordered their Combo Plate: two scoops rice sprinkled with furikake, crab potato salad, fried noodles, and two proteins. I chose garlic fried chicken and teri beef.
It was so good I actually cried a little. Living on the Big Island, everything was so far, and I couldn't satisfy my cravings easily -- so finally having a real plate lunch felt like comfort and home all at once.
I hadn't been back since, mostly because they don't have a set schedule, and whenever they were close by, Bubba would be napping or I'd find out too late.
But today, I finally got to go again -- and this time I brought Bubba. And she remembered me. "Weren't you pregnant last time?" she said. Such a small thing, but honestly an amazing memory and such a warm customer experience.
Bubba and I had a little sidewalk picnic together. He tried fried noodles for the first time, loved the teri beef, and of course devoured the rice -- his forever favorite.
I saved half the plate for my boyfriend since he's working.
It felt like such a full-circle moment... sharing with my son the exact plate lunch that made me cry (in the best way) when I was pregnant with him. read more