The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Guamanian Foods. If you manage to be in an Guamanian restaurant or you are visiting Guam, I recommend the following:
1. Lumpia
Lumpia is a simple and delicious snack developed from Chinese spring rolls. Each lumpia consists of a rice or flour dough stuffed with meat (most often ground beef or pork) and vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, onions and garlic. It is then coated with a beaten egg and fried. When cooked, it has a crispy outside and a tender inside that complements the sweet and sour sauce. It can be eaten as a snack or as a side dish.
2. Finadenne
Fina’denne is a delicious spicy sauce from Guam that is often used as a condiment and drizzled over meat, rice and fish dishes or as a garnish when served in individual bowls. Soy sauce is usually the main ingredient along with white vinegar, lime juice and additional toppings such as onions, garlic, peppers and tomatoes. The unusual name of this delicious spice actually means chilli in the Chamorro language.
3. Kelaguen
Kelaguen is a typical national dish and can contain a variety of seafood and meats. It must have a special thick sauce made of lemon juice, grated coconut and chillies. Various fish and seafood can be added to the sauce during cooking. Thanks to the ingredients of this special sauce, the fish and crustaceans become especially tender and juicy. Seafood lovers have the opportunity to try different types of kraguen in local restaurants. The most popular varieties are octopus and cuttlefish.
4. Eskabeche
Escabeche is an internationally popular dish consisting of fried or stewed meat or fish and various vegetables served in a delicious vinegar sauce with herbs, spices and onions. The Spanish brought escabeche to Guam, where it is made mainly from fish and is called escabeche. There is also a Filipino version of this dish that uses thickeners such as cornstarch or flour. Escabeche is usually served cold at various feasts, often with other fish dishes.
5. Bbq Short Ribs
One of the most popular barbecue dishes in Guam is barbecued beef ribs. These are actually cross-cut beef ribs that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. They are very tender and meaty. Because these ribs are so thin, they don’t require much time to cook. They are juicy and delicious right out of the oven.
6. Bbq Chicken
Marinated in a traditional Guam-style finadene sauce combining vinegar, soy sauce and spices, this juicy grilled chicken is served with red rice.
7. Hotnon Babui
This chamorro Christmas dish is prepared by slowly roasting a whole pig over an open fire. The pork is often rubbed continuously to create a crispy skin on the outside and soft, juicy meat on the inside. For a 100-pound pig, that’s usually four hours of roasting. When served, the pigs are placed on platters, which are often decorated with various fruits and then serve as the party’s centrepiece.
8. Latiya
Latiya is a sweet dessert from Guam made with a sponge cake base, vanilla cream and lots of cinnamon. This traditional chamorro cake is believed to have arrived in the Mariana Islands during the Spanish era between the 17th and 19th centuries. Some believe it is derived from Spanish custard. Usually made by women, Latiya is now a staple of many holidays and celebrations.
9. Lemmai
The breadfruit is light green in colour with a warty exterior, while the flesh is creamy and starchy. When the breadfruit is ripe, the flesh becomes soft. It can be baked, stuffed, mashed and baked. The green fruit can be used like potatoes and has a similar taste, which is why it is often used in Asian curries. Ripe breadfruit has a sweet taste and is often used in desserts or sliced and dried.
10. Buñelos Aga
Also known as banana slabs, these traditional chamorro snacks are made from mashed banana, flour, sugar and baking powder. After that, the dough is placed in hot oil and fried until the pans are golden brown on both sides. It is recommended to drain the doughnuts after they have cooled a little before serving.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Oceanian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.