Oceania

Tonga, a Polynesian country located in the South Pacific, is known for its stunning natural beauty, friendly people, and rich culture. It consists of 170 mostly uninhabited islands. The food of Tonga is a unique blend of Polynesian and Melanesian flavors, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Due to its location, seafood …

Fa’ausi is a traditional Samoan dish prepared by comining two recipes: dense coconut bread (also known as fa’apapa) and sweet coconut caramel sauce. Fa’apapa is typically prepared using copra (dried coconut flesh), but many people also use ingredients like mashed pumpkin, banana or taro. Fa’ausi is generally consumed as a snack or as a dessert. …

Samoa is a group of 12 islands in the South Pacific Ocean located somewhere between Hawaii and New Zealand. Hawaii is about 2,500 miles North East and New Zealand, about 2,000 miles South West of Samoa. Only 4 of the 12 Samoan islands are inhabited. It has a population of 200, 000 which is surprisingly …

Papua New Guinea is a country located in Oceania that includes the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia (a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia). The country is best known for mainly two things: snorkelling and the Virgin Islands. It is also full of …

Fiji is an island country located in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. The country is surrounded by Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Wallis, Futuna, Samoa, Tonga, Kermadec Island and New Zealand. Fiji is best known for its beautiful islands, natural beauty, tropical charisma, lovely seafood and so much more. The population of the …

New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two major landmasses—the North Island and the South Island—and more than 700 small islands. The country is best known for its national rugby team, its native Maori culture, and its scenic landscape. The population of New Zealand is made …

Barbecue snags are a type of Australian sausage, generally prepared using beef, pork, garlic, and onions. Normally thick in texture with a mild flavour, barbecue snags are usually served along with mashed potatoes, grilled onions, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, chutneys and loaves of artisanal bread on the side. It can also be eaten as a …

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert originating from Australia or New Zealand. It has a crispy texture outside and gooey from the inside. Piled up with fruits and whipped cream within, Pavlova is relatively easy to prepare.  It is served as a celebratory dessert both in Australia and New Zealand, and chefs around the world have …

Australia is the smallest continent in the world, but at the same time the sixth largest country. The British only colonized Australia in the early 18th century whereas the indigenous population have been living there for over 40,000 years. Although the continent is a mixture of nationalities and cultures, there is a wide variety of …

Kangaroo meat is produced in Australia and is generally prepared by roasting, slow-cooking or stir-frying. This red meat can either be directly consumed or sliced and added to a salad or can also be eaten with rice and vegetables. Kangaroo meat has a tendency to dry out very rapidly, which is why it is generally …

Rourou (or roro) is a traditional Fijian dish originating in the Pacific Islands, prepared from taro leaves stewed in coconut milk. This recipe represents the true flavours of the archipelago of Fiji. This warm and comforting dish can be used as a starter or a side dish and is authentically served with boiled taro roots.  …

Kokoda is a dish prepared from raw fish, native to Papua New Guinea and the archipelago of Fiji. Made from raw fish marinated with the flavors of citrus and coconut, this variant of the Peruvian ceviche is served in coconut or giant clam shells. Additionally spiced with a combination of ingredients like chilies, sliced onions …

Palusami is a delicacy in Polynesia that is made by wrapping a beef, onion and coconut mixture in leaves before baking. It is considered a staple in the Polynesian islands, particularly in Samoa, Kiribati and Fiji. Palusami wildly popular at feasts and parties and it’s extraordinarily easy to prepare. Palusami is an iconic Polynesian meal …

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say. And that’s exactly what you’ll think after trying Palau’s famed delicacy – Fruit Bat Soup. This is truly one of the weirdest foods eaten around the world. Served in a large bowl of delicious soup bursting with flavor, and a whole bat staring right into …

Hāngī is a dish cooked in an earth oven by the Māori people of New Zealand, typically containing a variety of meats and vegetables. Remember, Māori groups are predominantly found in the North island of New Zealand so if you’re only travelling to the South island you won’t find many (if any) Māori experiences. What …

Anzac biscuits are one of those sweet treats that just defines Australia due to its rich history and continued adoration by the Aussies. If you’re Australian and just want to find out the history of Anzac biscuits or you’re planning a big Aussie vacation, it’s fascinating to read about the rich cultural history of the …

The Pie Floater is an Australian dish which is essentially a quality meat pie turned upside down in a bowl then topped with a ladle of hot and preferably thick pea and ham soup, it’s that simple. Made famous in Adelaide, South Australia the origins of the famous Pie Floater are said to lay with …

Kava, also known as kava kava, is a Polynesian drink consumed throughout the Pacific islands, made from the ground roots of the kava plant. It’s purpose offers some of the most interesting insights into traditions, culture and the rituals among the cultures who consume it. What is Kava? Kava is a delicacy in Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii, …