Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Nauru

Spare atoll diet of seafood, coconut and pandanus; lagoon-farmed milkfish and noddy birds are heritage foods. That is the short version of what Nauru cooks. Look for Grilled Milkfish (milkfish raised in Buada Lagoon ponds and grilled whole, aquaculture heritage), Coconut Toddy (palm-sap toddy, historically Nauru’s key nutrition source, drunk fresh or fermented) and Roasted Noddy Bird (black noddy seabirds caught at dusk and grilled, traditional delicacy). Nauruans have long stocked milkfish fry from the reef into brackish Buada Lagoon and wells, a rare Pacific example of traditional aquaculture. This atlas has 14 Nauru dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

14 dishes.

Coconut CandyCoconut CandyGrated coconut cooked with syrup or sugar until it hardens into chewy pieces.Coconut CrabCoconut CrabGiant land crab roasted in its shell; rich, coconut-scented meat and fat.Coconut SproutCoconut SproutSpongy sweet embryo inside a germinating coconut, scooped out and eaten raw.Coconut ToddyCoconut ToddyFresh sweet palm sap drunk unfermented, cool from the morning cut.Coconut Toddy SyrupCoconut Toddy SyrupPalm sap boiled to a thick dark syrup; spread on bread and puddings.Fermented ToddyFermented ToddyCoconut sap left to ferment into a sour, lightly alcoholic drinkGrilled MilkfishGrilled MilkfishMilkfish raised in Buada Lagoon ponds and grilled whole, aquaculture heritagePandanus PastePandanus PasteBoiled pandanus fruit pulp dried into sweet chewy blocksRaw Fish in Coconut MilkRaw Fish in Coconut MilkFresh reef fish marinated in lime juice and coconut creamRoast BreadfruitRoast BreadfruitBreadfruit roasted whole on coals, eaten with kamaimai syrupRoasted Noddy BirdRoasted Noddy BirdBlack noddy seabirds caught at dusk and grilled, traditional delicacySalted Dried FishSalted Dried FishReef fish split, salted and sun-dried on racks; rehydrated for cooking.SpamSpamTinned spiced pork fried in slices and eaten with rice.Tinned Corned BeefTinned Corned BeefImported corned beef fried with onion and rice, a mainstay of the modern diet

  • Coconut Sprout

    Spongy sweet embryo inside a germinating coconut, scooped out and eaten raw. Ready in 10 minutes prep and none cooking.…

  • Coconut Candy

    Grated coconut cooked with syrup or sugar until it hardens into chewy pieces. Ready in 15 min prep and 40…

  • Coconut Toddy Syrup

    Palm sap boiled to a thick dark syrup; spread on bread and puddings. Ready in collecting takes daily work prep…

  • Fermented Toddy

    Coconut sap left to ferment into a sour, lightly alcoholic drink. A wine & spirit recipe from Nauru.

  • Pandanus Paste

    Boiled pandanus fruit pulp dried into sweet chewy blocks. Ready in 1 hour prep and 2 hours cooking. About 12…

  • Raw Fish in Coconut Milk

    Fresh reef fish marinated in lime juice and coconut cream. Ready in 30 minutes prep and none cooking. Serves 4.…

  • Roasted Noddy Bird

    Black noddy seabirds caught at dusk and grilled, traditional delicacy. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 40 minutes cooking. Serves…

  • Roast Breadfruit

    Breadfruit roasted whole on coals, eaten with kamaimai syrup. Ready in 10 min prep and 1 hour cooking. 6 servings.…

  • Salted Dried Fish

    Reef fish split, salted and sun-dried on racks; rehydrated for cooking. A charcuterie & cured recipe from Marshall Islands.

  • Spam

    Tinned spiced pork fried in slices and eaten with rice. Ready in 5 min prep and 15 min cooking. Serves…