Despite not being massively known for its culinary scene, there are still a lot of great foods in the Pacific Islands that you simply have to try when you visit.
Being islands, of course many of these are seafood dishes, but there are also heaps of outside influences, most notably from the US, with Spam throwing up some genuinely solid fusion food.
And when I say the Pacific, I mean the Pacific. All the way from Palau down to the Solomon Islands, a trip I take every year.
11 Must Try Foods in The Pacific
11) Breadfruit
Fry it, roast it, grill it, it matters not. You will find this across the region, with even chips being made from it. For me, the only way to do this properly is roasted and finished with butter. Simple, filling, and absolutely everywhere.
10) Noddy Bird
A Nauru delicacy, this bird might not have much meat on it, but that is not the point. The flavour is rich, offal-like, and surprisingly deep. Best seasoned with Nauru salt, also known as an Oxo cube. You can even go hunting for them if you really want the full experience.
9) Sago Dishes
Probably one of the worst dishes on this list, as it has the consistency of wallpaper paste. Still, in much of the Solomon Islands and PNG it is a staple. You eat it because it exists, not because you enjoy it. Best paired with PNG salt, also known as Maggi seasoning.
8) Ota Ika
A classic Pacific raw fish dish, particularly associated with Tonga. Fresh fish, usually tuna, chopped and mixed with coconut milk, lime, onion, and chili. Light, refreshing, and about as close as the Pacific gets to a salad. Perfect in the heat and far better than it sounds on paper.
7) Bat Soup
The main places where bat soup is big are Palau and Vanuatu, with each taking a very different approach. In Palau it often comes with the fur still on, while in Vanuatu it tends to be fruit bat based and slightly sweeter. Either way, this is essential Pacific dining and not something you forget quickly.
6) Mumu
Most famous in PNG, but mumu () or variations of it are also found in the Solomons, Tonga, and Fiji. Meat, yams, and vegetables are buried over hot stones and left to cook slowly. This is real food, cooked properly, and usually served in large communal portions.
5) Loco Moco
I am told it originally comes from Hawaii, but I got my fill in Micronesia. A big bowl of rice topped with a burger patty, fried eggs, and drowned in gravy. It looks horrific and tastes fantastic. One plate will ruin you for the rest of the day.
4) Spam with Everything
This is not a joke. Spam is a regional obsession. Fried, boiled, chopped into noodles, served with rice, or eaten on its own. I will give Spam its own article at some point, but you will not see more varieties or more uses of this processed pork anywhere else in the world.
3) Marshallese Poke
Similar in concept to other raw fish dishes, but done the Marshallese way. Fresh tuna chopped thick, lightly seasoned, and usually paired with rice. No frills, no sauces trying to impress anyone, just fish eaten because it is fresh and available.
2) Coconut Fish
Raw fish, usually tuna, mixed and effectively cooked in coconut milk. A true Pacific staple and one of the best raw fish dishes anywhere. My personal favourite version is in Nauru, where it is paired with Nauru salt, once again meaning an Oxo cube.
1) Tuna Sashimi
Not Japanese sashimi, just raw tuna cut thick and eaten because it was swimming an hour ago. Found everywhere from Micronesia to Melanesia. Sometimes served with soy sauce, sometimes with chili, sometimes with nothing at all. When the tuna is this fresh, it does not need help.
So, that dear Muggles marks my 11 best foods in the Pacific to try. Honestly it could have been 30…..
