Tongan food

Tongan cuisine is a vibrant reflection of island life, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. Staples include root vegetables like taro and sweet potatoes, tropical fruits such as bananas and coconuts, and seafood including fish and shellfish. Traditional dishes often feature "lu pulu" (taro leaves with meat) and "ota ika" (raw fish salad). Cooking techniques like baking in an underground oven called an "umu" give dishes a smoky flavor. The cuisine highlights community and conservation, using simple, natural flavors to celebrate the land and sea that sustain the islands.