Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Marshall Islands

Food in the Marshall Islands is built around breadfruit, pandanus and coconut-sap staples, preserved for long voyages between coral atolls. Look for Bwiro (fermented breadfruit paste wrapped in leaves and baked, festive staple), Chukuchuk (warm rice balls rolled in fresh grated coconut) and Jekaro (sweet coconut-blossom sap collected fresh each morning). Breadfruit is fermented in leaf-lined pits for months or years, then baked; the practice insured atolls against typhoons and drought. This atlas has 16 Marshall Islands dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

16 dishes.

Breadfruit ChipsBreadfruit ChipsThin slices of firm breadfruit fried until crisp and salted.BwiroBwiroFermented breadfruit paste wrapped in leaves and baked, festive stapleChukuchukChukuchukWarm rice balls rolled in fresh grated coconutCoconut CrabCoconut CrabGiant land crab roasted in its shell; rich, coconut-scented meat and fat.Corned BeefCorned BeefTinned salt beef fried with onion and served over rice.Giant ClamGiant ClamSweet clam muscle eaten raw with lime or grilled in the shell.Grilled Reef FishGrilled Reef FishFresh lagoon fish grilled over coals, everyday proteinIuIuSpongy sweet coconut embryo scooped from a sprouting nut, eaten rawJekaroJekaroSweet coconut-blossom sap collected fresh each morningJekmaiJekmaiCoconut sap boiled into amber syrup for drizzling and sweeteningMakmokMakmokArrowroot starch washed from the root, cooked into a stiff sweet puddingMarshallese DoughnutsMarshallese DoughnutsFried wheat-flour rings sold warm at stores and roadside tables all morningMokwanMokwanPandanus pulp cooked and dried into a sweet preserved pastePandanus FruitPandanus FruitFibrous orange keys chewed straight from the head for their sweet juice.Roast BreadfruitRoast BreadfruitBreadfruit roasted whole on coals, eaten with kamaimai syrupSalted Dried FishSalted Dried FishReef fish split, salted and sun-dried on racks; rehydrated for cooking.

  • Breadfruit Chips

    Thin slices of firm breadfruit fried until crisp and salted. Ready in 20 min prep and 20 min cooking. 4…

  • Corned Beef

    Tinned salt beef fried with onion and served over rice. Ready in 10 min prep and 20 min cooking. Serves…

  • Giant Clam

    Sweet clam muscle eaten raw with lime or grilled in the shell. Ready in 30 min prep and 10 min…

  • Grilled Reef Fish

    Fresh lagoon fish grilled over coals, everyday protein. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 20 minutes cooking. Serves 4. A…

  • Iu

    Spongy sweet coconut embryo scooped from a sprouting nut, eaten raw. Ready in 10 min prep and none cooking. 1…

  • Jekmai

    Coconut sap boiled into amber syrup for drizzling and sweetening. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 3 hours cooking. About…

  • Makmok

    Arrowroot starch washed from the root, cooked into a stiff sweet pudding. Ready in several hours, for washing prep and…

  • Marshallese Doughnuts

    Fried wheat-flour rings sold warm at stores and roadside tables all morning. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 30 minutes…

  • Mokwan

    Pandanus pulp cooked and dried into a sweet preserved paste. Ready in 1 hour prep and 2 hours cooking. About…

  • Pandanus Fruit

    Fibrous orange keys chewed straight from the head for their sweet juice. Ready in 15 min prep and none cooking.…