Babai
Giant taro grown for years, served at feasts
Think of it as: Like mashed taro pudding with coconut and syrup
Years of farming for one potato.
What does it taste like?
Dense, earthy taro, rich with coconut and sweetened with palm syrup.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureThick and sticky
What is it?
Babai is a giant swamp taro grown in pits dug into coral islands, taking years to reach full size. It's boiled or steamed, then mashed with coconut cream or coconut sap syrup. It's a prestige food for feasts.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Served at weddings and community feasts in the maneaba (meeting house). A big babai is a family's pride.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇰🇮Kiribati
CapitalTarawa
Populationabout 130,000estimate (unverified)
IndustriesFishing licenses, Copra (coconut)
Famous peopleDavid KatoatauWeightlifter famous for dancing after his lifts
HelloMauri (Gilbertese)
CurrencyAustralian dollar
And JapanJapanese fishing boats catch skipjack and tuna in Kiribati's waters.
Fun factIt straddles both the equator and the date line, and part of it is the first place on Earth to see the New Year.
The flag🇰🇮 A sun rising from the sea in a red sky with a flying frigatebird. Blue and white waves for the Pacific.
From Tokyoabout 5,140 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Tarawa
Getting thereAbout 20+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeHot all year. The drier months vary by year and island. Also tryTe ika (raw fish)Kamaimai (coconut sap syrup)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeHot all year. The drier months vary by year and island. Also tryTe ika (raw fish)Kamaimai (coconut sap syrup)
🇰🇮 Sounds & life in Kiribati
MauriHello（Mauri (Gilbertese)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemTeirake Kaini Kiribati
Sport
David Katoatau (weightlifting, 2014 Commonwealth Games gold) World HeritagePhoenix Islands Protected Area and more National animalFrigatebird FestivalIndependence Day (July 12)
Sport
David Katoatau (weightlifting, 2014 Commonwealth Games gold) World HeritagePhoenix Islands Protected Area and more National animalFrigatebird FestivalIndependence Day (July 12)
Ingredients
- Babai (giant swamp taro)
- Coconut cream
- Kamaimai (coconut sap syrup)
Can't find it? Mash taro with coconut milk and sugar to get close.
How to make it (one way)
- Dig a pit in the coral and plant the taro with soil and leaves
- Tend it for years until it grows huge
- Dig it up, peel, and boil or steam
- Mash with coconut cream or palm syrup
- Share it at a community feast
⚠️ Raw taro irritates the mouth and throat. Always cook it well.
Get the ingredients (ad)
coconut creamAmazon