Here Are 9 Must-Try Pacific Islander Foods — And Where To Get Them In Australia

Straight from the Pacific, these foods will have you feeling like you're on the Islands even while you're actually sitting somewhere in Australia.

No matter who you are or where you're from, it's almost guaranteed you'll have a memory linked to food — be it good or bad.

Food is one of the most memorable things each of us have in common.

Whether you've been lucky enough to try some Pacific flavours before or want to expand your palate and make some new food memories, here are nine Pacific Island foods you need to try — and where you can find them in Australia:

1. Otai: a tropical fruit drink from Tonga.

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Otai usually has a fruit or mixture of fruit with ice, sweetened condensed milk, coconut cream and milk. Hits the spot on a hot summer’s day. 

You can try otai at Inu Otai in Brisbane and Deception Bay, Qld.

2. Palusami: a Samoan dish made with coconut cream, taro leaves and onion baked in leaves in an earth oven.

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It is found around the Pacific and known by different names such as luau or Lu (Tongan often made with meat in the middle). 

You can try palusami at Island Feast in Liverpool, NSW.

3. Taro: a root vegetable that's a staple in the Pacific Islands.

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The root of the Colocasia esculenta plant, taro is like a potato to many Pacific Islands. It can be baked in an umu or boiled — and there's always the option of making it even better by adding coconut cream and onions; consider it the Pacific version of potato gratin. The whole plant is used, with taro leaves being the star ingredient in palusami.

You can buy taro from Palms Pacific Supermarket in Bidwell, NSW.

4. Hangi: the traditional Māori way of cooking using an earth oven.

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Similar ways of cooking are found around the Pacific Islands. In Papua New Guinea, this method of cooking is more commonly known as an umu or mumu. Chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, kumara (sweet potatoes) and even stuffing are cooked in baskets placed on top of hot rocks in a hole dug in the earth — delicious!

You can try a hangi at Hangi Boys in Melbourne, Vic.

5. Sapa sui (Samoan chop suey): a rice noodle dish made with chicken, beef, or even corned beef (from the can) with soy sauce and seasoning.

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Since being introduced in Samoa, sapa sui has become a staple dish. Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hawaii has a similar dish called chicken long rice. 

You can try sapa sui at Pasifika Hut in St Albans, Vic.

6. Kava (also known as ava in Samoa): a drink made from the root of the Piper methysticum.

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Traditionally used as a ceremonial drink, kava is today more commonly used outside of ceremonies for the relaxing effect it has. You'll find kava being used throughout the Pacific. 

You can order kava Australia-wide from Living Koko.

7. Pani popo: Samoan coconut buns.

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Imagine a sweet roll cooked in and coated with an even sweeter coconut sauce — that is exactly what pani popo is. Amazing for both morning and afternoon tea, pani popo is also a perfect midnight snack. While you're at it, always, always get extra coconut sauce to dip the parts of the roll that are uncoated. 

You can try pani popo at Kiwi Pacific Store in Laverton, Vic.

8. Oka: a raw fish dish served with coconut cream.

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Enjoyed all around the Pacific Islands, oka goes by different names depending where in the Pacific you are — in Tonga, it's known as ota ika; kokoda in Fiji and Papua New Guinea; or ika mata in the Cook Islands. 

No matter the name, the steps to preparing the ingredients in oka typically involve marinating the fish in lemon juice before being mixed with coconut cream, with the option of adding cut up cucumber, tomato and spring onion.

You can try oka at Hibiscus Pacific Goods in Cranbourne, Vic.

9. Finally, loco moco: a bed of rice with a patty of meat covered with a fried egg and drizzled with gravy.

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Whilst technically not a traditional Hawaiian dish, loco moco is one of my favourite dishes originating in Hawaii. The combination of flavours is pure comfort and a must-try.

You can get a loco moco fix from Grubbies Burgers & Hawaiian BBQ in Brisbane, Qld.

Morwenna Petaia is a Samoan-Australian writer from Melbourne on Bunurong land.

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