Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Samoa

Samoa’s food is built around umu feasts of taro leaves and coconut cream, hearty starches and rich local cocoa. Look for Palusami (coconut cream baked in taro-leaf parcels in the umu, rich and silky), Oka i’a (raw fish marinated in lemon, coconut cream, onion and chili) and Koko Samoa (rustic hot cocoa brewed from roasted local beans, grainy and bittersweet). Coconut cream is folded into young taro leaves, wrapped in breadfruit leaf and baked in the umu until the parcel is silky and salty. This atlas has 23 Samoa dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

23 dishes.

‘Ava‘AvaKava root infusion served in a coconut-shell cup at formal ceremony.Fa’alifu KaloFa’alifu KaloTaro chunks simmered in coconut cream with onionFa’apapaFa’apapaDense coconut bread pressed flat and baked in the umu until the edges carameliseFa’ausiFa’ausiGrated taro or bread squares drowned in thick caramelised coconut sauceKeke Pua’aKeke Pua’aSteamed or baked buns filled with seasoned minced pork.Koko AlaisaKoko AlaisaRice simmered with local cocoa and sugar until dark, sweet and slightly bitterKoko SamoaKoko SamoaRustic hot cocoa brewed from roasted local beans, grainy and bittersweetMasiMasiBreadfruit fermented in leaf-lined pits; sour dough baked into dense cakes.Masi SamoaMasi SamoaCrumbly coconut shortbread biscuit, dry and lightly sweet; dunked in koko.Oka i’aOka i’aRaw fish marinated in lemon, coconut cream, onion and chiliPaloloPaloloSea worms swarming once a year, scooped by net and eaten raw or fried on toastPalusamiPalusamiCoconut cream baked in taro-leaf parcels in the umu, rich and silkyPanikekePanikekeDeep-fried round banana pancake balls sold in bags, sweet snackPanipopoPanipopoSoft buns baked in a sweet coconut cream saucePisupoPisupoTinned corned beef fried with onion or baked in taro leaves, gifted by the casePovi MasimaPovi MasimaSalt-cured beef brisket simmered and served with taro or riceSapasuiSapasuiSamoan chop suey of glass noodles simmered with soy and meatSuafa’iSuafa’iRipe banana porridge thickened with tapioca and coconut creamSupoesiSupoesiRipe papaya simmered in sweetened coconut cream; eaten hot or chilled.UmuUmuAbove-ground oven of hot volcanic stones cooking pork, taro and fish.Vai NiuVai NiuWater from a young coconut, drunk straight from the shell.VailimaVailimaCrisp Samoan lager, the standard beer at family gatherings and beach falesVaisaloVaisaloThick coconut porridge with young coconut flesh and starch; served warm.

  • ‘Ava

    Kava root infusion served in a coconut-shell cup at formal ceremony. Ready in 20 min prep and 15 min cooking.…

  • Fa’alifu Kalo

    Taro chunks simmered in coconut cream with onion. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 40 minutes cooking. Serves 4. A…

  • Fa’apapa

    Dense coconut bread pressed flat and baked in the umu until the edges caramelise. Ready in 20 minutes prep and…

  • Fa’ausi

    Grated taro or bread squares drowned in thick caramelised coconut sauce. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 40 minutes cooking.…

  • Keke Pua’a

    Steamed or baked buns filled with seasoned minced pork. Ready in 45 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. About 16…

  • Koko Alaisa

    Rice simmered with local cocoa and sugar until dark, sweet and slightly bitter. Ready in 10 minutes prep and 45…

  • Masi

    Breadfruit fermented in leaf-lined pits; sour dough baked into dense cakes. A fermented & pickled recipe from Samoa.

  • Masi Samoa

    Crumbly coconut shortbread biscuit, dry and lightly sweet; dunked in koko. Ready in 25 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking.…

  • Panikeke

    Deep-fried round banana pancake balls sold in bags, sweet snack. Ready in 15 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. Makes…

  • Panipopo

    Soft buns baked in a sweet coconut cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 35 minutes cooking. 12 buns.…