The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Tongan Foods. If you manage to be in an Tongan restaurant or you are visiting Tonga, I recommend the following:
1. Panikeke
Panikeke is the Samoan version of pancakes and is characterised by a round shape that resembles small golden balls. They are made from flour, sugar, salt, eggs, milk and baking powder. Breakfast is traditionally served with pancakes, served with fruit, jam or whipped cream. Panikeke is available in two flavours: plain or flavoured with mashed bananas, which are added to the batter before baking.
2. 'Otai
Otai is a fruit drink from Western Polynesia. It is usually prepared with a hearty meal. Today, the drink is primarily associated with Tongan cuisine, although similar versions of otai are prepared and enjoyed on other islands, including Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, Tokelau (New Zealand), Hawaii and Fiji. Modern otai recipes are usually a mixture of water, grated coconut pulp and various grated tropical fruits, most often watermelon mixed with pineapple or mango.
3. Ota’ika
This is a traditional version of the popular Tongan ceviche. It is made from fresh raw fish marinated in coconut milk and citrus juice until the flesh takes on an opaque visual appearance. Later, the fish is usually served with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and peppers. This dish should be served and eaten immediately.
4. Faikakai Topai
It is a basic version of dumplings (or topai in Tongan). They are more like balls and are made with sweetened coconut syrup (lolo in Tongan). A basic version of dumplings (or topai in Tongan). There are different variations of the same dessert, such as frutipan (faikakai mei), taro leaves (faikakai ngou’a), cassava (faikakai yuba tama) or plantain (faikakai malimali).
5. Kapisi Pulu
Kapisi pulu is a popular Tongan dish usually served on special occasions and celebrations. This dish consists of corned beef, tomatoes, onions and coconut cream. Mix all the ingredients together and fry the banana leaves. To make kapi sipura, open the banana leaves and serve the contents warm.
6. Kale Mo
Kale moa is of Samoan origin and is distinguished by a balance of spicy, salty and sweet flavours. This easy chicken curry is made with chicken pieces, coconut milk, flour, water, oil, curry powder, spices such as ginger, garlic and onion, and vegetables such as potato, carrot and celery. When the curry has reached the desired consistency, it is recommended to serve it with aerated white rice.
7. Lo'i Feke
Lo’i Feke (octopus in cream sauce) is a very basic tongan dish with only three ingredients. It is squid, onion and thick coconut cream. This simple dish is worth trying and can be served with other dishes such as ‘ufi, which are yams or sweet potatoes cooked in coconut cream, or peeled green plantains also cooked in coconut cream.
8. Lu Pulu
Lu pulu is a typical dish prepared with taro leaves, coconut milk, onions, tomatoes and canned meat, usually imported from New Zealand. The ingredients are rolled in taro leaves, then the whole mixture is wrapped in foil or banana leaves and baked in the oven for about 2 hours. This dish should be served hot with anything from rice to yam.
9. Lu Sipi
The dish is none other than a rack of lamb dipped in coconut cream and fried with taro leaves (which are often used in traditional Oceanian dishes). When this delicious dish appears at a dinner or party, it means that Tongans are the masters of the table.
10. ’Ufi Lolo’i
Ufi loloi are sweet potatoes cooked in coconut milk. It can be concluded that Tongans add a lot of coconut to their dishes. In Tonga, sweet potatoes are also considered a local delicacy, so sweet potatoes are present in many dishes.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Oceanian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.