Rapa Nui food and gastronomy
Umu Rapa Nui, the curanto of Easter Island
Umu Rapa Nui, also known as curanto pascuense, is one of the most traditional preparations. It is cooked in a hole in the ground with firewood and red-hot stones, as it was done hundreds of years ago. The hot stones are covered with banana leaves, on which meat, chicken and fish are placed. Then a layer of tubers such as sweet potato, taro and cassava is added, all covered again with leaves and earth. The heat cooks the food slowly, making the curanto a perfect communal meal to share.
Common ingredients:
- Meat
- Chicken
- Fish
- Tubers (sweet potato, taro, cassava)
- Banana leaves
Families continue to prepare umu on special occasions, and the community curanto that takes place during the Tapati festival is famous, where both islanders and visitors can enjoy it. For visitors at other times, Te Ra’ai restaurant offers this traditional preparation during its shows on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Tunu Ahi
Tunu Ahi literally means “cooking with fire or heat” in Rapa Nui and is another traditional way of cooking in Easter Island. It consists of lighting a fire with volcanic stones that are heated red hot. The food, usually freshly caught fish and its entrails, are placed on the hot stones to cook slowly.
Ingredients and techniques:
- Fresh fish
- Fish viscera (kokoma)
- Hot volcanic stones
Although this ancestral technique is still used, it is common to use a grill instead of stones, so tunu ahi also refers to asado, barbecue or grilling. It is an excellent excuse to get together with friends and family, especially on weekends.
Typical food of today’s Easter Island
Rapanui Tuna Ceviche
The Rapa Nui ceviche is one of the most representative dishes of the current gastronomy of Easter Island. It is prepared with fresh tuna cut into small cubes and can be seasoned in various ways: with lemon and chili, soy sauce, or coconut milk for a Polynesian touch.
Main ingredients:
- Fresh tuna
- Lemon
- Chili
- Soy sauce
- Coconut milk
Tuna Carpaccio
Tuna carpaccio is frequently found in the island’s restaurants. It is prepared with thin slices of tuna, seasoned with salt, lemon, olive oil, parmesan cheese and capers.
Main ingredients:
- Tuna in slices
- Lemon
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Capers
Tuna Empanadas
Tuna empanadas are an icon of local gastronomy. The classic version is a fried empanada filled with fresh tuna. There are also variations with cheese, tomato or shrimp, and they can be fried or baked.
Main ingredients:
- Fresh tuna
- Cheese
- Tomato
- Shrimp
Potatoes with Shrimp Sauce
This simple but tasty dish is composed of french fries drizzled with a cream or cheese sauce and shrimp.
Main ingredients:
- French fries
- Cream or cheese sauce
- Shrimp
Typical Sweets and Desserts of Rapa Nui
Po’e Rapa Nui
Po’e is a typical sweet, a kind of pudding made with plantain, pumpkin or manioc, flour, milk and sugar.
Traditionally cooked in banana leaves, it is now prepared in molds but is still served with the curanto.
Main ingredients:
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Cassava
- Flour
- Milk
- Sugar
Artisan Ice Cream
Artisanal ice creams made with local products such as pineapple, sweet potato, mango and guava are popular on the island. You can try them at places like Mikafé, Pea ice cream parlor and Mahute ice cream parlor.
Common flavors:
- Pineapple
- Sweet potato
- Handle
- Guava
Rapa Nui Honey
Rapa Nui honey is valued for its purity and aromatic nuances. The island’s bees, free of common diseases, produce a healthy and gourmet honey.
Characteristics:
- Free of chemical treatments
- Aromatic nuances of tropical fruits
Easter Island fruits
Easter Island’s climate favors the growth of tropical fruits such as banana, guava, papaya, custard apple, avocado, mango and coconut. Pineapples, small and very sweet, are especially valued.
Common fruits:
- Banana
- Guava
- Papaya
- Custard Apple
- Avocado
- Handle
- Coco