Encebollado: Ecuadorian Tuna & Onion Soup

This is Encebollado, a spicy tuna and onion stew, widely regarded as the national dish of Ecuador

Every once in a while, you come across a dish that is really special. It’s hard to explain the what and particularly hard to explain the why, but certain dishes seem to symbolize something more than just the sum of their ingredients. There’s true symbolism nestled into each and every bite. As integral as anything else … Read more

Kaukau: Papua New Guinean Sweet Potato

This is Kaukau, a Papua New Guinean Sweet Potato dish, with orange juice, coconut milk, shallots, garlic, ginger, coconut oil and cinnamon

It’s funny to see how some “newcomers” can take a nation’s food scene by storm. Nowhere is this as true as in Papua New Guinea and the kaukau, or the sweet potato. It’s rare enough to find recipes from Papua New Guinea as is, but it’s even rarer to find one that doesn’t involve some kaukau … Read more

Kashata: Tanzanian Coconut Peanut Brittle

Kashata: Tanzanian Coconut Peanut Brittle

Sometimes, it’s difficult to pin down a particular recipe to one given location, especially with today’s relatively new national borders. Count kashata, a delectable Swahili peanut brittle-esque dessert, as one such recipe. Yes, it’s a common snack and street food in abundance around Tanzania, but the recipe itself – much like the overarching Swahili culture … Read more

Chili Crab: Singaporean Shellfish in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Chili Crab: Singaporean Shellfish in Spicy Tomato Sauce

It’s funny how a dish can, in effect, go “viral” and gain massive popularity… almost like a YouTube video or the next hot meme. And yet, that’s exactly what happened to Singapore’s now-signature dish: the chili crab. Take one delicious recipe, the ever-powerful word of mouth and some entrepreneurial savviness from its creator, and you … Read more

Bougna: Kanak Yam and Seafood Curry

New Caledonian Bougna, a Kanak dish, featuring prawns and yams

This recipe is made with full shrimp (head on and not shelled) – combined with some yam, tomatoes, and onions simmering in some full fat coconut milk and topped with shredded coconut, served on optional banana leaves.

Otai: Tongan Coconut Watermelon Drink

Otai: Tongan Coconut Watermelon Drink - Mixture of coconut milk, coconut flakes, honey mango and smashed fresh watermelon

Sometimes, it’s not specific dishes that stand out in a cuisine. No, sometimes it’s the drinks that are the true stars of the show. For the Tongan cuisine, there are two drinks in particular. First, there’s ‘otai, or a delicious coconut watermelon drink, which is the focal point of the recipe for this post. And then … Read more