10+ Best Vanuatu Recipes You Need To Try Once

Vanuatu’s cuisine is a hidden gem of the South Pacific—fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Think tropical fruits, coconut-infused dishes, and seafood so fresh it practically jumps onto your plate.

If you’re a foodie looking to explore something new, you’re in for a treat.

From hearty root vegetable stews to mouthwatering grilled fish, Vanuatu’s traditional recipes are a must-try.

Whether you’re cooking at home or just dreaming of a tropical escape, these dishes will transport you straight to the islands. Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!

1. Lap Lap – Vanuatu’s National Dish

Lap Lap is the ultimate comfort food in Vanuatu—a hearty, cake-like dish made from grated root vegetables, coconut milk, and sometimes meat or fish.

It’s wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an earth oven, giving it a smoky, earthy flavor that’s downright addictive.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated cassava
• 2 cups grated yam or taro
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp salt
• Banana leaves (for wrapping)
• Optional: Chicken, fish, or beef (cut into small pieces)

How to Make It:

1. Mix grated cassava, yam, salt, and coconut milk in a bowl.
2. Lay out banana leaves and spread half the mixture on top.
3. Add meat or fish if using, then cover with the remaining mixture.
4. Wrap tightly in banana leaves and secure with string.
5. Bake in an earth oven (or regular oven at 350°F) for about 1.5 hours.

Why we chose it: Lap Lap is the soul of Vanuatu’s cuisine—simple, filling, and packed with island flavors. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a national treasure.

2. Coconut Crab Curry – A Seafood Lover’s Dream

Vanuatu’s coconut crab (called “Karkar” locally) is a delicacy, and this curry is the best way to enjoy it.

Sweet, tender crab meat simmered in rich coconut milk and spices? Yes, please!

Ingredients:

• 1 large coconut crab (or regular crab if unavailable)
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Clean and chop the crab into pieces.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
3. Add turmeric and coriander, then pour in coconut milk.
4. Add crab pieces and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
5. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

Why this made our list: The mix of sweet crab and creamy coconut is pure magic. If you love seafood, this dish is a must-try.

3. Tuluk – Vanuatu’s Flavorful Banana Pudding

Tuluk is a sweet, sticky dessert made from ripe bananas and coconut milk—simple yet incredibly satisfying. It’s the perfect way to end a meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
• Banana leaves for wrapping

How to Make It:

1. Mix mashed bananas, coconut milk, and sugar.
2. Spoon onto banana leaves and wrap tightly.
3. Steam for 30 minutes until firm.

Why we selected it: It’s sweet, tropical, and ridiculously easy to make. A true taste of Vanuatu’s dessert scene.

4. Nalot – A Hearty Root Vegetable Mash

Nalot is a rustic, filling dish made from pounded taro, yam, or cassava mixed with coconut milk.

Think of it as Vanuatu’s answer to mashed potatoes—but way more exciting.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled taro (or yam/cassava)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Mash the boiled taro until smooth.
2. Mix in coconut milk and salt.
3. Serve warm as a side dish.

Why this made our list: It’s creamy, comforting, and pairs perfectly with grilled fish or meat.

5. Simboro – Vanuatu’s Stuffed Delight

If you love dumplings, you’ll go crazy for Simboro—steamed rolls made from grated root veggies and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves.

It’s like a tropical hug in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated taro or cassava
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp salt
• Banana leaves (for wrapping)

How to Make It:

1. Mix grated taro, coconut milk, and salt in a bowl.
2. Spoon onto banana leaves and roll tightly.
3. Steam for 30-40 minutes until firm.

Why we chose it: Simboro is the ultimate comfort food—soft, slightly sweet, and packed with island flavor. Perfect as a snack or side dish.

6. Fish Laplap – A Seafood Twist on a Classic

Take everything you love about Lap Lap and add fresh fish—that’s Fish Laplap.

The coconut milk keeps the fish tender, while the banana leaves infuse it with a smoky aroma.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated yam
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 lb white fish fillets (like snapper or mahi-mahi)
• 1 tsp salt
• Banana leaves

How to Make It:

1. Layer grated yam on banana leaves, then place fish on top.
2. Pour coconut milk over everything and wrap tightly.
3. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Why this made our list: It’s Lap Lap’s fancier cousin—equally delicious but with a seafood upgrade.

7. Coconut Bread – Vanuatu’s Sweetest Snack

This isn’t your average bread—Vanuatu’s version is dense, slightly sweet, and loaded with coconut flavor. Perfect with tea or as a quick breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder

How to Make It:

1. Mix dry ingredients, then add coconut milk.
2. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

Why we selected it: It’s like dessert and breakfast had a baby—and it’s delicious.

8. Banana & Coconut Pancakes – Tropical Breakfast Bliss

Fluffy pancakes get a Vanuatu makeover with ripe bananas and coconut milk. Drizzle with honey, and you’ve got paradise on a plate.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 mashed banana
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder

How to Make It:

1. Whisk all ingredients together.
2. Cook on a greased pan until golden.

Why this made our list: Because who wouldn’t want pancakes that taste like a beach vacation?

9. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa

Fresh fish + tangy mango salsa = match made in heaven. This dish screams “island vibes” with every bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 mahi-mahi fillets
• 1 diced mango
• ½ diced red onion
• 1 lime (juiced)
• Salt & pepper

How to Make It:

1. Grill fish for 4-5 minutes per side.
2. Mix mango, onion, lime juice, and salt for salsa.
3. Serve fish topped with salsa.

Why we chose it: It’s light, fresh, and bursting with flavor—perfect for summer nights.

10. Cassava Cake – Vanuatu’s Answer to Cheesecake

Dense, slightly sweet, and oh-so-satisfying, this cake is a staple at Ni-Vanuatu gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated cassava
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs

How to Make It:

1. Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased pan.
2. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

Why this made our list: It’s gluten-free, easy to make, and dangerously addictive.

11. Tropical Fruit Salad with Lime & Mint

Vanuatu’s fruit is next-level sweet. This simple salad lets the natural flavors shine.

Ingredients:

• 1 diced pineapple
• 1 diced papaya
• 1 diced mango
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh mint leaves

How to Make It:

1. Toss all fruits together.
2. Drizzle with lime juice and garnish with mint.

Why we selected it: It’s refreshing, healthy, and tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

Conclusion

Vanuatu’s food is all about fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and simple cooking methods that let nature shine.

Whether you’re whipping up Lap Lap or indulging in Coconut Crab Curry, these recipes are a delicious.

Way to explore island cuisine.