The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Marshallese Foods. If you manage to be in an Marshallese restaurant or you are visiting Marshall Islands, I recommend the following:
1. Barramundi Cod
Barramundi is a fish speciality in Marshallese cuisine and is considered one of the island’s national dishes. Fresh whole barramundi is seasoned, then tightly wrapped in banana leaves and baked until cooked to perfection. The fish can be served with traditional rice balls such as chukukuk, sweet potatoes and fresh salad.
2. Curried Corned Beef
This one-pot dish is super easy and delicious. What makes it special is the hard curry powder. If you want to make it more Fijian, try replacing the potatoes with chunks of taro or tapioca. Fijians also often make this dish with corned beef.
3. Papaya with Coconut Cream
Marshall’s roasted papaya with coconut cream is a sweet treat. Here’s another easy Marshall recipe with readily available ingredients. When baking and preparing caramel sauce, use a little sugar for sweetness. A fantastic dessert for this island setting. Plus, papaya is high in fibre, rich in antioxidants and low in calories.
4. Macadamia Nut Pie
Known as Marshall Islands Macadamia Cake, this exotic and decadent dessert is prepared by pressing shredded coconut into a cake base and then filling it with a mixture of macadamia nuts, corn syrup, sugar and vanilla extract. The last layer of the cake is a delicious coconut whipped cream. Once the cake has cooled, it is usually sliced and enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
5. Rice Banke
A rice bank is one of Marshall’s simplest dishes. It consists of chopped pumpkin and rice cooked together in water, with optional coconut milk added for flavour. Depending on personal preference, the pumpkin can be chopped or left untouched. Arroz de banco is traditionally served hot in a bowl and is best served as a side dish with fish dishes.
6. Spam
This important source of vacuum-prepared protein was invented by Jay Hormel when he added seasoning to his cans of pork, despite competitors using lips, noses and ears on their cans. To differentiate his product, he decided to reduce the size of the can and create a visually appealing label. It is a delicious mixture of square pork, water, salt, sugar, potato starch and sodium nitrate.
7. Chukuchuk
Chukchuk is a unique Marshallese dish consisting of rice balls rolled in freshly grated coconut, which is abundant on the island. These simple balls are a hit thanks to the contrast between the slightly sweet coconut and the neutral rice. Chukchuk is often served as a garnish for various fish and poultry dishes.
8. Boiled Potatoes
This boiled potato recipe is the easiest way to cook potatoes without peeling them. New potatoes are best for cooking because they have a soft skin and a very creamy, buttery centre. These fries are amazing when topped with melted butter, extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with kosher salt and herbs. Boiled potatoes are a tasty and simple side dish.
9. Sweet Potatoes & Fried Bananas
Baked Sweet Potatoes and Plantains is a simple but nutritious and tasty Marshallese dish made with only three main ingredients: baked sweet potatoes, plantains, preferably green, and butter or coconut oil for frying, although coconut oil is a more authentic option. The plantains and sweet potatoes are baked, blended and ready to eat and are best served as a side dish with grilled fish or pork.
10. Breadfruit
Breadfruit is probably the most popular crop in the Marshall Islands; it can be found everywhere and is prepared in every conceivable way. It is a staple of Marshallese cuisine, so breadfruit is widespread in the islands. Breadfruit is eaten in a variety of ways, including salads, baking strips or sliced. You can also make preserves for a rainy day.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Oceanian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.