All The Memorable Samoan Food I Ate in Samoa and More

I guess we have Fiji to blame for serving tantalizing Polynesian cuisine, that I had the same expectation for Samoan food.

Unfortunately, while in Samoa, I quickly learned and was quite disappointed that it is not easy to find restaurants that serve authentic Samoan food. Most of the restaurants near our hotel are catered for tourists. This means that the food has been catered to the red-meat-eating bland-tasting tourists’ palate.

Saying that I thought I owed it to Samoa and the beautiful Samoan people to share about the Samoan food and some not-really Samoan food I enjoyed during my trip.

Authentic Samoan Food

Maukegi Mamoe and Fasi Mamoe

I’d like to consider ourselves lucky when we stumbled upon a single-line food court adjoint to the Fugalie Market in Apia serving authentic Samoan food.

All the food stalls there were interesting, serving various dishes from BBQ to raw fish. We got our lunch from Lupe’s Catering stall, as their menu showcased what seemed to be authentic Samoan food.

Jik went first, wanting the vegetarian option. She asked for Maukegi Mamoe (Pumpkin with a side of white rice)and ended up with a plate of meat with pumpkin with a side of rice.

Meanwhile, I asked Lupe (or Lupe’s daughter, maybe?) what the most popular Samoan food in the stall was, and she suggested trying Fasi Mamoe. So I did and got stir-fried lamb meat and veggies with a side of rice.

I also asked for a side of fresh chilli, anticipating a question to confirm my “odd” request or at least a surprise look. But no, she looked straight at me, said “ok” and returned a tiny bowl of fresh chilli.

It was the first Samoan food we had in Samoa and could easily be the best meal I had in Samoa. The portion was generous; besides the chewy and too much meat, it was full of flavour. Combined with fresh chilli, it was so delicious!

That was also the most rice I had in Samoa. So thank you for the generous serving of rice, Lupe’s Catering team.

If you are after an authentic Samoan food experience, look no further than Lupe’s Catering, a locals’ go-to place for delicious meals.

Where: Lupe's Catering, Fugalie Market, Apia, Samoa.

Taro

Taro is an essential part of Samoan food culture, and it’s everywhere! I had never seen as much taro as I had seen in Samoa. Taro by itself didn’t have much taste, but it was delicious when combined with savoury dishes or even eaten with just chilli on the side, like rice (but I personally would choose rice over Taro – well, I choose rice over anything, really).

Palusami

Palusami, an iconic Samoan food, is made simply from taro leaves and coconut milk wrapped in tin foil to maintain its shape. It’s a common sighting in the local food scene in Samoa.

We got Palumasi from Apia Market and enjoyed it with the baked Taro we got from the same market. It was delicious, but I think some chopped fresh chilli on the side would take the dish to another level (I know, I know… how so very Indonesian of me).

Where: Fugalie Market, Apia, Samoa.

Oka

Oka, the Samoan Ceviche, is an acquired taste. It’s made of raw tuna cut into cubes, tomato and onions marinated with lime and served soaked in coconut milk. It’s fresh, rich, delicious, and surprisingly filling for a side dish.

I had Oka almost every day while in Samoa. Unfortunately, some eateries didn’t serve it during our time in Samoa due to the flood and high tide.

Where: Taumeasina Island Resort Lunch Buffet, Apia, Samoa.

Siamu Popo

Coconut jam is not really a new thing for Jik and me, as we grew up eating Srikaya (Indonesian coconut jam).

Indonesian Srikaya is made with coconut, eggs, and at times, pandan leaves to add aroma and colour to the jam ━ which comes as either light brown or bright green).

Meanwhile, Samoan Siamu Popo is made with coconut and raw sugar – it’s thicker and darker in colour and has no smell. And as biased Indonesians, we both preferred Srikaya. But this shouldn’t deter you from trying Siamu Popo or even getting it as a souvenir to bring home.

Where: Farmer Joe's Supermarket, Cell City, Vaimea, Apia, Samoa.

Samoan Sashimi

If you have had Poke Bowl before, that’s the same type of fish and taste you would get from the raw tuna served as Samoan Sashimi, only better because it is fresh from the market. It’s usually served in a bowl and toothpicks for easy sharing, with a side of wasabi and soy sauce.

Where: Amanaki Restaurant, Mulinu'u Rd, Apia, Samoa.

Koko Laisa

On the contrary, although it’s also an acquired taste, I tried and didn’t like Koko Laisa (Samoan Cocoa Rice). Koko Laisa, rice soaked in chocolate, is a Samoan food primarily served during breakfast time.

I convinced myself to try it and rationalized that I loved Kellog’s Coco Puff; how different would the wet version be? Well, it was hella different.

I took a spoon. It wasn’t sweet??! I then forced myself to another spoon because I didn’t want to come back as a wimpy-a*** who didn’t try Samoan food properly just because I was not used to it. But no, after the second scoop, with watery eyes, I put my spoon down and declared defeat to Jik.

This one was not for me.

Where: Tanoa Tusitala Hotel Room Service, Apia, Samoa.

Memorable Non-Samoan Food

Samosa in Samoa

If asked what’s the most interesting food I ate in Samoa, I’d say Samosa would be up there. Yes, Samosa is everywhere in Samoa, and no, I don’t know why. There were not many Indians there, I could only recall seeing one family while I was there, but Samosa is a staple on the menu almost everywhere.

Compared to regular Samosa, Samoan Samosa are tiny, which makes it easier and friendlier to eat. Admittedly, we have ordered too many Samosas with room service. And we also had samosa in the beach hut after spending the morning swimming. In short, Samosa was pretty much unavoidable in Samoa.

Where: Taufua Beach restaurant, Apia, Samoa.

Keralan Fish Curry

I feel a bit cringy to say I had Keralan fish curry while in Samoa because I advocate eating locally, but I did, and it was perfect, so you guys get to hear about it.

The first time we went to the restaurant we were turned down as we didn’t make a booking.

Thankfully the friendly teenage waiter told us he would be able to squeeze us in the next day if we came a bit early. The next day we came back, all tanned and exhausted from the whole day of outdoor activities ━ , ready to eat good food and a sound sleep after.

The menu, though, was not of Samoan food, which was a bit disappointing, but alas, we were hungry. Jik ordered Prawn Marinara pasta without the prawn, and I got excited when I saw Keralan fish curry. Yes, it’s not Samoan food. Yes, I was not immersing myself in the local culture, but at least I get to say:

I ate Keralan fish curry in Samoa.

The fish curry was yummy, especially combined with the fresh chilli on the side for extra two Samoan Tala. The only thing I wasn’t happy about was the lack of rice that came with it, but it’s more about my rice obsession than anything else.

Where: Bistro Tatau, corner of Main Beach Road and Fugalei Street, Savalalo, Apia, Upolu, Samoa. +685 22727.

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