Travel Guide

Be sure to try the five unique island delicacies of Vanuatu!!

The resort Vanuatu is one of the most beautiful island countries in Oceania. This country with a population of 310000 is undoubtedly a promising tourist destination. Not only do you have stunning natural scenery, but there are also various unique and delicious Vanuatu specialty foods. Of course, these delicacies are made from Vanuatu's abundant ingredients, especially seafood. So, for those who want to go on vacation there, there are some typical Vanuatu cuisine here that you must try.

1. Tuluc

The first typical Vanuatu food you should try is Tuluk. Tuluc is a dish made of minced meat wrapped in cassava dough, filled with scallions, and then wrapped in banana leaves. Tuluc uses relatively simple spices such as salt, pepper, and coconut milk. That is to say, Tuluc is made using a special technique that requires baking in a natural oven underground for 6 hours. If you go to Vanuatu, you can easily find Tuluk in a traditional market in the harbor villa area, with affordable prices but very delicious taste.

2. Lapu Lapu

The next signature dish worth trying in Vanuatu is Lapu Lapu. Lapu Lapu is a dish made from ground bananas, breadfruit, taro, or sweet potatoes, processed into a thick vegetable paste. Then, this paste is wrapped in banana leaves and meat is added according to taste, which can be fish or chicken. Then wrap the spaghetti with banana leaves and bake it underground, paired with fresh coconut milk. Lapu Lapu has a soft texture, resembling pudding, and is usually consumed for special occasions in Vanuatu.

3. Kava

In addition to delicious food, Vanuatu also has special drinks worth trying. This beverage is called Kawa and is said to have a history of thousands of years. Kava comes from a plant that grows extensively in Vanuatu and other South Pacific regions. Kava is usually used for medical purposes or consumed in traditional ceremonies. Kava has a rather unique flavor, like grass mixed with soil. It has bitter, pepper and strong earthy taste. Usually, after drinking kava, people's lips and tongue will feel numb, so it is recommended to eat fruit slices immediately after drinking.

4. Santo Beef

Although Vanuatu is an archipelago rich in seafood, the people here also enjoy eating meat. One of the Vanuatu specialties that you shouldn't miss next is Santo beef.
Santo beef is a delicacy made from beef sourced from local farms in the northern part of Santo Island. What's special about this Santo beef is that the meat is very soft and the taste is unique, as the cows on the farm eat Vanuatu grass and coconut shells. Santobeef is usually served like steak. When eating, I found that this type of meat is very thin and has a good taste.

5. Coconut cream, citrus grilled fish

If you are interested in trying Vanuatu's signature seafood, be sure to try coconut cream citrus grilled fish. This Vanuatu cuisine belongs to processed seafood and is very famous for its unique taste. Coconut cream citrus grilled fish is composed of whole fish slices, lemon and orange, coconut cream, salt, and pepper. Arrange oranges and lemon slices neatly on top of the fish, then pour coconut milk and seasoning on top. All these ingredients are tightly wrapped in banana leaves and grilled until the fish becomes soft and separates from the bones. This type of fish is usually eaten with salads, rice, or bananas.