Laplap, main dish from Vanuatu: what it is and how it is eaten

Laplap is the national dish of Vanuatu, made by grating breadfruit, taro, yam or bananas into a paste, then wrapping it in banana leaves with coconut cream and baking it in an earth oven. Sometimes pork, beef, chicken or flying fox is added. It is a central part of Vanuatu's food culture.

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Laplap is the national dish of Vanuatu
Made from grated breadfruit, taro, yam or banana
Baked in banana leaves with coconut cream
Sometimes includes pork, beef, chicken or flying fox
Cooked in an underground stone oven

What is Laplap?

Laplap is a baked dish from Vanuatu that uses grated breadfruit, taro, yam or banana as its base. The grated vegetable or fruit is mixed into a thick paste, then combined with fresh coconut cream. This mixture is wrapped in banana leaves, which help keep in moisture and add a subtle aroma. The whole parcel is baked in an underground stone oven. Sometimes, pieces of pork, beef, chicken or flying fox are included for extra flavor and richness. The finished dish is dense and hearty, with the earthy taste of root vegetables and the sweetness of coconut.

Where does Laplap come from?

Laplap comes from Vanuatu and is considered its national dish. The name 'laplap' is from Bislama, Vanuatu's national language, and is related to words in several Oceanic languages spoken in the region. While 'laplap' is the Bislama term, different islands and language groups in Vanuatu have their own names for similar dishes, reflecting the country's linguistic diversity. The method of baking food in earth ovens and wrapping it in leaves is traditional across the Pacific islands.

How is Laplap made?

To make laplap, breadfruit, taro, yam or banana is grated into a paste. This paste is combined with fresh coconut cream, then spread onto banana leaves. The mixture may be topped with pieces of meat such as pork, beef, chicken or flying fox. The banana leaves are folded to enclose the filling, forming a tight parcel. This parcel is placed in an underground stone oven, where it bakes slowly. The banana leaves keep the contents moist and infuse a gentle flavor.

How and when is Laplap eaten?

Laplap is eaten as a main dish and is central to meals in Vanuatu. It is often shared at gatherings or family meals. The dish is filling and can be eaten on its own or with added meats. The use of an earth oven and banana leaves means it is usually prepared for group occasions or when there is time for the slow cooking process. Laplap is a symbol of local food traditions and is commonly served at community events.

Kinds of Laplap

The base of laplap can be breadfruit, taro, yam or banana, depending on what is available or preferred. Some versions include meat, while others are made only with vegetables and coconut cream. The dish may be known by other names in different islands and languages of Vanuatu, but the core technique of grating, wrapping and baking remains the same. Laplap sosor is one named variant from Malakula island.

What Laplap means

Laplap is more than just food; it is a symbol of Vanuatu's identity and hospitality. As the national dish, it is present at important gatherings and celebrations. The process of making laplap brings people together, from grating the roots to baking in the earth oven. The dish reflects the agricultural staples of the islands and the communal way of eating. Its preparation and sharing are part of daily and festive life.

Questions people ask about Laplap

What is laplap made of?

Laplap is made by grating breadfruit, taro, yam or banana into a paste, mixing it with coconut cream, and sometimes adding pork, beef, chicken or flying fox. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and baked.

Where does laplap come from?

Laplap comes from Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific. It is considered the national dish and is a central part of local food culture.

How is laplap cooked?

The grated paste and coconut cream are wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an underground stone oven. This traditional method keeps the dish moist and gives it a unique flavor.

Is laplap vegetarian?

Laplap can be vegetarian if made only with breadfruit, taro, yam, banana and coconut cream. However, it is also common to add meats like pork, beef, chicken or flying fox.

What does laplap taste like?

Laplap has a dense, earthy taste from the root vegetables or breadfruit, with a sweetness from the coconut cream. If meat is added, it brings extra richness and flavor.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Laplap", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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