Being a south pacific island nation, Vanuatu is home to a sea that is rich in marine life and the land mass is fertile and rich which in turn produces some of the tastiest tropical fruits and vegetables. Because of this reason Vanuatu boasts one of the most vibrant and rich cuisines in the world.

Lap Lap | Image Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ronoleo">Ronoleo</a>, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Laplap_01.jpg">Laplap 01</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>
Lap Lap | Image Credit: Ronoleo, Laplap 01, CC BY-SA 3.0

Poulet fish

The first pick in the list features a fish that tastes like chicken. This fish commonly found in the seas around Vanuatu. The fish is generally baked whole filleted with edible flowers and herbs. This cooking process gives the dish an exotic and delicious flavour. It is also served pan fried or streamed.

Lap Lap

Lap Lap being the national dish of Vanuatu, is prepared in a unique way. The islands abundant yams are the main ingredients of this dish. Lap Lap is prepared by grating the yam and pounding it to a paste then it is mixed with freshly squeezed coconut cream and are layered on top of banana leaves adding more coconut cream or banana and baking it wrapped in coconut leaves.

Flying fox Curry

This dish is definitely not for the squeamish but if you are ready to step out of your comfort zone you are welcome to try this unusual and surprisingly delicious dish is made from bat meat. Yes bats! The island is home to large number of fruit bats and these creatures are the main ingredients in one of the most loved delicacies in Vanuatu.

Finding the right place and other dishes

These dishes can be found in almost all the Vanuatu Restaurants but beware some of the places practice very low standards of hygiene. You can also find these dishes in high end hotels in Vanatau like the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu. You can try many other dishes too like the rabbit or wild duck generously cooked in red- wine and steak curry which is cooked with fruits, pepper, capsicum and tomato.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+