Language/Samoan/Vocabulary/Common-Foods
| ◀️ Future Tense — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Eating Out ▶️ |
In this lesson, you will learn the names of common Samoan foods. Food and dining play an important role in Samoan culture, and meals are often a time for families and friends to gather and share stories. Samoan cuisine is known for its use of fresh seafood, tropical fruits, root vegetables, and traditional preparation methods. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to order common dishes and understand common ingredients used in Samoan cooking.
Traditional Samoan Foods
Samoan cuisine has a strong focus on fresh seafood and the use of traditional cooking methods. Many dishes are prepared using an umu, which is an earth oven that uses hot stones to cook food. Some traditional Samoan foods include:
- Palusami: a dish made by wrapping taro leaves around cooked coconut cream and onions.
- Faalifu Fa'i: a dish made by boiling bananas in coconut cream and sugar.
- Oka I'a: a dish made by mixing raw fish with coconut cream, onions, and other seasonings.
- Sapasui: a dish made by stir-frying noodles with vegetables and meat, such as chicken or beef.
- Luau: a dish made by boiling taro leaves with coconut cream, onions, and meat, such as corned beef or octopus.
Fruits and Vegetables
Samoan cuisine also includes a variety of fruits and vegetables. Many of these are grown locally and are used in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some of the most common fruits and vegetables used in Samoan cuisine:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Fiti | "FEE-tee" | Pineapple |
| Meika | "MAY-kah" | Mango |
| Papalagi | "PA-pa-LAH-ngi" | Potato |
| Palusami | "pa-LU-sah-mi" | Taro leaves |
| Talasamu | "TAH-lah-sa-mu" | Samoan spinach |
| Ulu | "OO-loo" | Breadfruit |
| Utu | "OO-too" | Sweet potato |
In addition to these fruits and vegetables, Samoan cuisine includes a variety of fresh seafood, such as tuna, mahi-mahi, and octopus.
Beverages
Samoan cuisine includes a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Some popular beverages in Samoa include:
- Koko Samoa: a traditional Samoan hot chocolate made with cocoa beans, coconut cream, and sugar.
- Vailima: a popular Samoan beer.
- Fai'ausi: a sweet drink made with coconut cream, tapioca, and sugar.
- Kava: a traditional drink made from the roots of the kava plant. Kava is known for its calming effects.
Ordering Food
If you're dining out in Samoa, it's useful to know some common phrases for ordering food:
- O ai la oute fa'aaloalo? (Who should I show respect to? / Who is the highest chief here?)
* This phrase is commonly used when entering a Samoan household or restaurant. It's important to know who the highest chief is, as they will often be the one to pray before a meal is served.
- Fa'amolemole, fa'afetai (Please, thank you)
* Always remember to use these phrases when ordering food or making a request.
- Ou te fia maea le ____ (I would like to order ____)
* Use this phrase when ordering a specific dish.
- O lea ua e fia ____? (Would you like ____?)
* Use this phrase if the waiter or waitress is offering you a drink or side dish.
Vocabulary Recap
Now let's review the vocabulary from this lesson:
- Palusami
- Faalifu Fa'i
- Oka I'a
- Sapasui
- Luau
- Fiti
- Meika
- Papalagi
- Palusami
- Talasamu
- Ulu
- Utu
- Koko Samoa
- Vailima
- Fai'ausi
- Kava
Congratulations, you've now learned the names of common Samoan foods, fruits, vegetables, and beverages! In the next lesson, we will cover essential phrases for dining out in Samoan.
Videos
Common Samoan Phrases - YouTube
Other Lessons
Sources
- Food and cultural practices of the Samoan community in Australia ...
- 14 Words for Food in Samoan.
- The Samoan Vocabulary of Respect
| ◀️ Future Tense — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Eating Out ▶️ |