A taste of the Archipelago
Vanuatu is a destination where nature and culture are reflected even in its cuisine. Local food is a perfect blend of fresh ingredients, ancestral traditions, and exotic flavors, all enhanced by traditional cooking methods. Influenced by rich volcanic soils and abundant seafood, Ni-Vanuatu cuisine is a true culinary adventure. Here are 10 must-try dishes during your visit to Vanuatu.
in Port Vila and Luganville
wrapped in banana leaves
10 must-try dishes
Lap Lap — the national dish
Simboro — coconut creamy parcels
Tuluk — the street food snack
Bunia — the Melanesian earth oven feast
Tanna soup — hearty and fragrant
Nangai nuts — the simple snack
Fresh tropical fruit — peak ripeness
Fresh coconut — straight from the tree
Fresh seafood and local flavours
“Wash your mouth” kava snacks
Lap Lap — the national dish
A true emblem of Vanuatu’s gastronomy, Lap Lap is made from grated root vegetables such as taro, yam, or cassava, mixed with coconut cream, and then slow-cooked in banana leaves under hot stones. The dish has a slightly smoky taste due to its traditional cooking method and is at the heart of kastom ceremonies and celebrations. To try it, head to local markets, where it is often served at lunchtime.
Back to all 10Simboro — coconut creamy parcels
Simboro is a comforting dish where taro or island cabbage leaves are rolled and stuffed with grated root vegetables or coconut, then simmered in coconut cream. This simple yet nutritious dish highlights local ingredients and is widely available at market food stalls.
Back to all 10Tuluk — the street food snack
Perfect for a quick bite, Tuluk is made of grated cassava wrapped around spiced meat, usually beef or pork, and then steamed or baked. Its soft and slightly chewy texture contrasts with the rich, spiced filling, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. It’s easily found at street stalls and markets.
Back to all 10Bunia — the Melanesian earth oven feast
Bunia is more than just a meal — it’s a culinary and cultural experience. This earth oven feast involves wrapping meat, fish, and root vegetables in leaves and slow-cooking them underground with heated stones. This slow-cooking method enhances the tenderness of the ingredients and infuses them with an earthy, smoky flavor. A bunia is a communal event, bringing families and villages together for a shared dining experience.
Back to all 10Tanna soup — hearty and fragrant
Inspired by Tanna island, this soup is a flavorful mix of beef, chicken, or seafood, combined with fresh local vegetables and spices. Often enriched with coconut milk, it delivers a subtle fusion of exotic flavors and comforting textures. Perfect for a rainy day or as a starter to a traditional meal, this soup highlights the natural bounty and spices of Vanuatu.
Back to all 10Nangai nuts — the simple snack
Nangai nuts, a popular Ni-Vanuatu snack, are roasted or boiled and served on skewers. With a lightly sweet and crunchy texture, they make for a simple yet delicious treat. Often found at local markets, these nuts come from native trees unique to Vanuatu.
Back to all 10Fresh tropical fruit — peak ripeness
Vanuatu’s fertile volcanic soil produces some of the sweetest and most aromatic fruits in the Pacific. Pineapple, mango, passion fruit, papaya, and bananas are harvested at peak ripeness and sold at markets, ready to enjoy. These sun kissed tropical fruits make for a refreshing snack after a day of exploring.
Back to all 10Fresh coconut — straight from the tree
Drinking fresh coconut in Vanuatu is a must-do experience. You can either climb a tree yourself or ask a local to open one for you. Once you’ve enjoyed the refreshing coconut water, the shell is split open to reveal its creamy, slightly sweet flesh. This natural energy booster is ideal for staying hydrated after a long day under the sun.
Back to all 10Fresh seafood and local flavours
Vanuatu is a seafood lover’s paradise, with fresh fish and other locally sourced seafood enjoyed across the islands. Seafood is often freshly caught and prepared in traditional ways, including grilling, cooking with coconut milk, or combining it with local herbs, spices and seasonal ingredients.
Back to all 10“Wash your mouth” kava snacks
After drinking kava, it’s customary to cleanse your palate with a salty or spicy snack to balance its earthy flavor. At markets and nakamals (traditional kava bars), you’ll find cassava chips, grilled meat skewers, and roasted nuts, making for the perfect kava pairing and a way to immerse yourself even further in Ni-Vanuatu culture.
Back to all 10Where to start
Head to the markets in Port Vila and Luganville. Lap Lap is often served at lunchtime, and you will find fruit, nuts and snacks at every stall.
Sharing a feast
A bunia is a communal event. If you are invited to a shared earth oven meal, accept with thanks and try a little of everything.
After kava
A salty or spicy snack is the custom after a shell of kava. Look for cassava chips, grilled skewers and roasted nuts at the nakamal.