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Samoa Cuisine

Oceania · Polynesia

27 recipes

Signature Samoa Dishes

🥗 Ingredient:

Fa'alifu Ulu

A simple yet incredibly comforting Samoan side dish where tender, boiled breadfruit is simmered in a rich, savory coconut milk sauce infused with the subtle sweetness of onion. It's a staple that perfectly complements many main courses.

Samoa·Medium·2 hours 10 minutes

Fa'ausi

A rich and sweet Samoan delicacy featuring cubes of baked taro or a simple flour-based bread, generously coated in a luscious coconut caramel sauce. Traditionally baked in an umu, it can also be made in a conventional oven.

Samoa·Easy·1 hour

Faiai Eleni

Faiai Eleni, also known as Samoan fish bake, is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring mackerel baked in coconut milk with onions and spices, often presented in a hollowed coconut shell for an authentic touch. It showcases the Samoan love for fresh seafood and the rich creaminess of coconut.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 35 minutes

Moa Fa'asaina

Moa Fa'asaina is a popular Samoan dish of chicken braised in a savory sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and aromatics. While traditionally cooked in an umu (earth oven), this recipe adapts it for a Dutch oven or stovetop, resulting in tender, flavorful chicken often served with coconut rice.

Samoa·Easy·50 minutes

Oka I'a

Oka I'a is a traditional Samoan dish of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and mixed with creamy coconut milk, fresh vegetables, and a hint of chili. It's a refreshing and flavorful appetizer or light meal, often compared to ceviche.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 25 minutes

Palusami

Palusami is a beloved Samoan dish featuring tender taro leaves wrapped around a creamy filling of coconut cream, onions, and often corned beef. Traditionally cooked in an earth oven (umu), it can also be baked or steamed.

Samoa·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes

Povi Masima Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew made with salted beef (povi masima), taro, and other root vegetables, simmered in a rich broth. This dish is a staple in Samoan households, offering comfort and sustenance.

Samoa·Easy·30 minutes

Samoan Banana Fritters

Sweet, fluffy, and golden-brown fritters made from mashed ripe bananas, flour, and a touch of sweetness. These are a popular treat in Samoa, perfect as a snack or dessert.

Samoa·Medium·2 hours 50 minutes

Samoan Beef Saikai

A flavorful and tender beef dish, Saikai is a popular Samoan preparation where beef is slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and coconut milk until melt-in-your-mouth tender. It's often served with taro or bread.

Samoa·Easy·40 minutes

Samoan Breadfruit Fritters

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these breadfruit fritters are a delightful Samoan snack or side dish. Made with grated breadfruit, coconut, and a hint of sweetness, they are typically pan-fried until golden brown.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes

Samoan Chicken and Taro Leaf Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with nutrient-rich taro leaves in a creamy coconut milk broth. This dish is a comforting staple in Samoan cuisine, often enhanced with aromatic ginger, garlic, and onion.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour

Samoan Chicken Coconut Curry

A comforting and creamy chicken curry, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with potatoes and carrots in a rich coconut milk-based sauce, seasoned with aromatic spices. This dish is a staple in Samoan households, often served with rice.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 35 minutes

Samoan Chicken Luau Stew

A hearty and comforting stew made with tender chicken, taro leaves (luau), and creamy coconut milk, simmered to perfection for a rich and flavorful island dish.

Samoa·Medium·3 hours 30 minutes

Samoan Coconut Fish

A refreshing and vibrant dish of raw white fish 'cooked' in citrus juice and then marinated in creamy coconut milk with fresh vegetables.

Samoa·Easy·45 minutes

Samoan Green Banana in Savory Coconut Sauce

A unique and flavorful side dish where firm green bananas are simmered in a savory coconut milk sauce infused with onions and a hint of spice. This dish offers a delightful texture and a taste of traditional Samoan cooking.

Samoa·Easy·25 minutes

Samoan Grilled Banana Boat

A delightful and simple dessert or snack, this dish features ripe bananas grilled in their skins with sweet fillings, creating a warm, gooey, and flavorful treat.

Samoa·Easy·35 minutes

Samoan Grilled Fish with Lime and Coconut

Freshly caught fish is marinated in lime juice and coconut milk, then grilled to perfection, resulting in a light, zesty, and tropical dish.

Samoa·Medium·50 minutes

Samoan Grilled Pork Belly with Pineapple Glaze

Tender, succulent pork belly grilled to perfection and coated in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, offering a delightful balance of savory and tropical flavors.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour

Samoan Pani Popo

Soft, sweet coconut buns baked in a rich, creamy coconut sauce. Pani Popo is a beloved Samoan treat, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special occasion.

Samoa·Easy·10 minutes

Samoan Poi

A simple and refreshing dessert made from mashed ripe bananas, coconut cream, and a hint of lime or lemon zest. It's a delightful treat, especially on warm days.

Samoa·Medium·3 hours 30 minutes

Samoan Pork and Taro Leaf Bundle

Tender pieces of pork belly are wrapped in nutrient-rich taro leaves and slow-cooked in coconut cream, creating a rich and flavorful Samoan delicacy.

Samoa·Easy·50 minutes

Samoan Sapasui

Sapasui is a beloved Samoan noodle dish, a unique adaptation of Chinese chop suey or pancit. It features tender vermicelli noodles stir-fried with your choice of meat (beef, pork, or chicken), aromatic garlic and ginger, and a savory sauce made with soy sauce and a touch of sweetness. It's a flexible and comforting dish, perfect for family gatherings and everyday meals.

Samoa·Easy·45 minutes

Samoan Seafood Coconut Stew

A comforting and flavorful stew featuring fresh local seafood simmered in a rich coconut milk broth with aromatics and a hint of lime. This dish highlights the abundance of the ocean in Samoan cuisine.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 10 minutes

Samoan Taro Cake

A delightful and moist cake made from grated taro and coconut milk, often enhanced with tropical fruits. This cake showcases the versatility of taro in Samoan desserts.

Samoa·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes

Samoan Taro Leaf and Coconut Stew

A comforting and flavorful stew made with tender taro leaves simmered in rich coconut milk, often enhanced with onions and sometimes other vegetables or proteins. It's a staple in Samoan cuisine, showcasing the versatility of local ingredients.

Samoa·Medium·1 hour 30 minutes

Samoan Umu Chicken

A traditional Samoan dish where chicken is slow-cooked in an umu (earth oven) with coconut cream and wrapped in banana leaves, imparting a smoky, tender, and flavorful result. This method is a cornerstone of Samoan culinary tradition.

Samoa·Challenging (due to umu preparation)·3-4 hours (including umu preparation)

Samoan Umu Pork and Taro Leaf Bundle

A traditional Samoan delicacy cooked in an umu (earth oven), this dish features tender pork and nutrient-rich taro leaves, all enveloped in creamy coconut milk and steamed to perfection within banana leaves. The umu cooking method imparts a unique smoky flavor and ensures the ingredients remain incredibly moist and tender.

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