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Palusami from Samoa

Palusami

Taro leaves baked in coconut cream parcels. ยท Samoa

๐Ÿ“ Nationwide โ˜… 4.3
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Taro leaves baked in coconut cream parcels.

About Palusami

Young taro leaves are wrapped around a filling of coconut cream and onion, sometimes with corned beef, and baked in an earth oven until soft and rich. It is a staple of the Samoan umu feast.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ History & Culture

Palusami is a traditional Samoan dish that likely evolved from ancient Polynesian cooking methods using taro leaves and coconut cream, both staples of the region. Its exact origins are not precisely documented, but it is deeply tied to the Samoan umu, an earth oven used for communal feasts, and reflects the island's reliance on taro and coconut as foundational crops.

Variations exist across the Pacific, with similar dishes in Tonga (lลซ pulu) and Fiji, but Samoan palusami typically features a creamy coconut filling, often with onion and sometimes corned beef, reflecting colonial-era introductions. In Samoa, it is a central component of cultural gatherings and Sunday meals, symbolizing hospitality and the sharing of traditional food, often served alongside other umu-cooked dishes.

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Palusami โ€” frequently asked questions

What is Palusami?

Young taro leaves are wrapped around a filling of coconut cream and onion, sometimes with corned beef, and baked in an earth oven until soft and rich. It is a staple of the Samoan umu feast.

What is Palusami made of?

Palusami is made with taro leaves, coconut cream, onion, corned beef and salt.

Where does Palusami come from?

Palusami comes from Samoa, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Palusami is a traditional Samoan dish that likely evolved from ancient Polynesian cooking methods using taro leaves and coconut cream, both staples of the region.

Where can I eat Palusami?

A Samoan umu feast on Sunday, baked underground.

โ†’ More traditional dishes from Samoa

Taste Palusami in Samoa

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