ExploFood · Oceania
What to eat in Tonga
Four dishes to try in Tonga, the most typical first. One is vegetarian.
Four dishes to try in Tonga
Lu pulu
Corned beef, onion and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and baked in an earth oven.
How to have it: The centrepiece of a Sunday 'umu lunch after church; eat it with boiled taro or yam.
Ota ika
Raw fish cured in lime juice and mixed with coconut cream, onion and chilli.
How to have it: Order it fresh at waterfront cafés in Nuku'alofa, ideally at lunch when the morning catch is in.
Puaka tunu
Whole suckling pig roasted over coals until the skin turns crisp.
How to have it: Served at feasts, weddings and church events; tourist feast nights are the easiest way to try it.
'Otai
Chilled drink of grated watermelon or mango with coconut milk and sugar.
How to have it: Sold by the cup at markets and served at feasts; a cooling pick on hot afternoons.
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Questions
What food is Tonga famous for?
Lu pulu (corned beef, onion and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and baked in an earth oven) comes first on our list, followed by Ota ika, Puaka tunu and 'Otai.
What is the national dish of Tonga?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Tonga is Lu pulu: corned beef, onion and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and baked in an earth oven. The centrepiece of a Sunday 'umu lunch after church; eat it with boiled taro or yam.
Which dishes in Tonga are vegetarian?
One of the four on this page is vegetarian as usually made: 'Otai. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What do people drink in Tonga?
'Otai: chilled drink of grated watermelon or mango with coconut milk and sugar.
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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Tick off every dish you try in Tonga
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.