Laplap
Vanuatu's stone-baked root pudding
Think of it as: Like a chewy potato bake steamed in coconut cream
Grate it, wrap it, bake it on rocks. Commitment.
What does it taste like?
Chewy, mild root dough with a soft sweetness from coconut cream. Simple and comforting.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureChewy and dense
What is it?
Grated yam, taro, cassava or banana spread on banana leaves, drenched in coconut cream and baked with hot stones. Vanuatu's national dish has a dense, chewy, cake-like feel.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Cut into pieces at celebrations and village gatherings, often eaten by hand.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇻🇺Vanuatu
CapitalPort Vila
Populationabout 340,000estimate (unverified)
IndustriesTourism, Copra and kava, Beef
HelloHalo (Bislama)
CurrencyVatu
Fun factIts land-diving ritual, naghol — leaping from towers with vines tied to the ankles — is said to have inspired bungee jumping.
The flag🇻🇺 A gold Y for the island chain and the light of Christianity, plus a boar's tusk and fern leaves.
From Tokyoabout 6,660 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Port Vila
Getting thereAbout 12+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeMay to October, the dry season. Also tryCoconut crabSimboro (leaf-wrapped dumplings)Kava (drink)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeMay to October, the dry season. Also tryCoconut crabSimboro (leaf-wrapped dumplings)Kava (drink)
🇻🇺 Sounds & life in Vanuatu
HaloHello（Halo (Bislama)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemYumi, Yumi, Yumi
MusicString band music Cheerful island songs on guitar and ukulele
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer World HeritageChief Roi Mata's Domain and more FestivalNaghol land diving (April–June, Pentecost Island)
MusicString band music Cheerful island songs on guitar and ukulele
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer World HeritageChief Roi Mata's Domain and more FestivalNaghol land diving (April–June, Pentecost Island)
Ingredients
- Yam, taro or cassava 1 kg
- Coconut cream 300 ml
- Banana leaves, several
- Salt, a pinch
- Chicken or fish, optional, 300 g
Can't find it? Use taro and yam, foil instead of banana leaves, and bake it in an oven.
How to make it (one way)
- Peel and grate the roots into a paste
- Spread it about 2 cm thick on banana leaves
- Add meat or fish if using and pour over coconut cream
- Wrap in leaves and set on hot stones in a pit
- Cover with more hot stones and leaves and bake about 2 hours
⚠️ Cassava and taro are toxic raw — cook thoroughly.
Get the ingredients (ad)
coconut creamAmazon