Cuisine

Nauruan cuisine

Nauruan cuisine is centered around fresh, local ingredients. Seafood is a staple, and is often prepared with coconut milk, lime, and chili peppers. Other common ingredients include taro, breadfruit, and sweet potato. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the Nauruan people, the indigenous people of Nauru, as well as by the Asian cultures that have shaped the island's history.

Oceanic cuisine› Micronesian cuisine

Fresh, Tangy, Spicy, Sweet

Grilling, Baking, Frying, Boiling, Pickling

Typical ingredients

Seafood (fish, shrimp, crab, octopus), Coconut milk, Lime, Chili peppers, Taro, Breadfruit, Sweet potato, Mango, Papaya, Banana

Presentation and garnishing

Nauruan dishes are often served family-style, with large platters of food placed in the center of the table. Garnishes such as sliced green onions and chopped cilantro are common.

The national dish of Nauru is coconut fish, a dish that is made with coconut milk and fresh fish.

More cuisines from this region...

Palauan cuisine, Guamanian cuisine, Mariana Islands cuisine, Marshallese cuisine

History

Nauru has a long history of colonization, beginning with the Germans in the late 19th century. The island was later occupied by the Japanese during World War II, before being administered by Australia. This history is reflected in the island's cuisine, which has been shaped by a variety of cultural influences.

Cultural significance

Food is an important part of Nauruan culture, and is often served at celebrations and gatherings. Many traditional dishes are associated with specific events, such as fiestas and weddings.