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Food · Oceania

What to eat in Micronesia

Three dishes to try in Micronesia, the most typical first. Two are vegetarian.

Three dishes to try in Micronesia

  1. Sakau

    DrinkVegetarian

    Thick, numbing kava drink pounded from pepper-plant roots.

    How to have it: Pohnpei's sakau markets serve it in coconut cups in the evening; strong and slow-acting.

    Read about Sakau on Wikipedia

  2. Sashimi

    Main dish

    Raw yellowfin tuna, eaten with soy sauce, lime and hot pepper.

    How to have it: A legacy of Japanese rule; fresh tuna is cheap and common in Pohnpei and Chuuk.

    Read about Sashimi on Wikipedia

  3. Breadfruit

    SnackVegetarian

    Starchy fruit eaten roasted, boiled, pounded or fermented.

    How to have it: A staple across the islands, often cooked in coconut milk or roasted over coals.

    Read about Breadfruit on Wikipedia

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Questions

What food is Micronesia famous for?

Sakau (thick, numbing kava drink pounded from pepper-plant roots) comes first on our list, followed by Sashimi and Breadfruit.

What is the national dish of Micronesia?

Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Micronesia is Sakau: thick, numbing kava drink pounded from pepper-plant roots. Pohnpei's sakau markets serve it in coconut cups in the evening; strong and slow-acting.

Which dishes in Micronesia are vegetarian?

Two of the three on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Sakau and Breadfruit. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.

What do people drink in Micronesia?

Sakau: thick, numbing kava drink pounded from pepper-plant roots.

How reliable is this list?

The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.

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Dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.