The Food Guide to the Manu'a Islands: Places to Eat & Food Tours

While there aren’t any dedicated food tours in the Manu'a Islands, sampling authentic local cuisine is all part of the experience of simply being here! You’ll be served local meals at your accommodation and try local produce as you interact with locals and experience village life.

Food Experiences in Ofu and Olosega

Olosega Taufusi

An authentic foodie adventure that takes you behind the village on a muddy back trail to expansive marshlands is at Olosega Taufusi. Here, you'll witness the cultivation of a special type of taro that has made Olosega renowned across American Samoa.

The short five to 10-minute walk takes you through lush banana groves and diverse agricultural plots, offering an authentic glimpse into traditional Samoan farming practices that we personally find fascinating.

You can access the marshlands by 4WD vehicle, bicycle (though it's quite challenging), or on foot—just be prepared for muddy conditions in certain areas. The return journey through the village's main road is shorter and more pleasant, with friendly locals and notably no aggressive dogs to worry about.

Ofu Taufusi

And for Ofu's equivalent, Ofu Taufusi is a culturally significant swampland that once served as the primary growing ground for the marshland taro.

While the airport runway now sits directly in front and imported goods have largely replaced local agriculture, this heritage site remains an important window into the islands' agricultural past. The lush greenery that blankets the area offers visitors a peaceful retreat and a chance to imagine how this fertile wetland once sustained entire communities.

Though most taro cultivation has shifted to the Olosega Taufusi, the Ofu Taufusi stands as a living testament to traditional Polynesian farming practices and the self-sufficient lifestyle that defined these remote islands for generations.

Palolo Rising

Finally, an annual phenomenon and cultural event that you can almost set your alarm by, the rising of the palolo reef worm is an exciting time to be in Ofu and Olosega.

Just before dawn during the waning October or November moon (sometimes both), locals flock to the reefs with their nets, buckets and lanterns to haul in the tails of these unique and incredibly tasty reef worms. If you're in American Samoa during or a few weeks after Palolo Rising, you'll either find palolo being sold in its raw or cooked form at the local markets or on the specials boards of restaurants.

We've found that the best place to experience the Palolo Rising is in Olosega, where villagers flock to the shallow reef of the old village of Sili to gather this "Caviar of the Pacific".

© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

Food Experiences in Ta'ū

Umu at Fitiuta Lodge

Fitiuta Lodge does an umu on Sundays, included in rates with their highest-tier rooms or you can request it. This traditional hot rock oven is where you'll get to try island staples like taro, fish, breadfruit (when in season), and fai'ai (octopus or fish cooked in coconut shells).

Learn more about the accommodation in Where to Stay in Ofu, Olosega & Ta'ū (Manu'a Islands): 7 Best Accommodations.

Try Sau'a (Orange Bananas)

Ta'ū is also famous for the banana that rises to the sky called Sau'a—it's an orange banana that's best boiled, baked or cooked in an umu. It's amazingly sweet and absolutely delicious.

Locals are usually happy to give you some to try if you ask around. This is what the island is famous for, and we can't get enough of it when we visit.

Food Experiences Across the Manu'a Islands

Staying in the Manu'a Islands means you're staying in villages with locals, so foodie experiences tend to happen when you interact with the community.

You might find someone making an umu around the back of your accommodation, or meet locals who have a plantation with far too much fruit to eat themselves, or who just came back from a fishing trip with too much fish.

From what we've experienced, locals are usually very generous and willing to share their food culture with visitors—something we've had the pleasure to discover first-hand.

Awkwardly enough, the Manu'a Islands don’t have any formal restaurants or cafes to dine in. Instead, your accommodation will sort you out, providing guests with delicious local meals, while the local convenience stores paired with your accommodation's kitchen facilities ensure that you can easily sort yourself out.

Accommodation Meals

At the end of the day, your accommodation will likely be your best dining option in the remote Manu'a Islands, where restaurant choices are non-existent.

Accommodations across the islands typically offer varying levels of meal services, from comprehensive dining experiences to basic self-catering facilities. The most well-equipped lodges, like Va'oto Lodge, operate communal kitchens with honesty-system pantries stocked with rice, tinned goods and basic ingredients. Some can arrange authentic cultural dining experiences, including traditional umu (earth oven) cooking demonstrations with local village experts.

You might find yourself paying around US$100 for a full coconut crab meal preparation and demonstration, whilst a complete umu feast could run US$400-$500. However, these types of experiences are very much dependent on which villages are on the island to accommodate these requests, so don't get your hopes too high.

Many accommodations can provide meals upon request, such as Fitiuta Lodge and Eseta's Homestay, typically breakfast and dinner. Popular requests include fresh fish and coconut crab - local specialities that showcase the island's ocean bounty. Individual meals generally cost US$10-$20 each and aim to provide an authentic island experience.

For those seeking convenience, some properties offer practical meal plans covering all three meals for around US$50 per day, such as M&M Rental. They can stock kitchens with essentials for international travellers who may not want to bring their own food.

Self-catering options vary significantly across properties. Some focus entirely on self-catering with basic kitchen equipment (microwave, gas stove, fridge) and provide coffee and creamer, whilst others offer minimal food services with small kitchen areas available.

Importantly, some accommodations can accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets upon request - a rarity in American Samoa. All special arrangements must be made via email with significant advance notice. Find out more in our guide, American Samoa for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants.

The key lesson for Manu'a visitors: plan your meals in advance or embrace self-catering, as dining options are virtually non-existent outside your accommodation.

Find out which accommodation suits your dining needs by considering your cooking comfort level and desire for cultural food experiences when choosing where to stay in the Manu'a Islands.

© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

Convenience Stores in the Manu'a Islands

As mentioned, all accommodations in the Manu'a Islands have cooking facilities. Each village also has at least one or two convenience stores so there's no need to load up on supplies from Tutuila - the luggage allowance of 22 lb (10 kgs) makes that impossible anyway.

Convenience stores in Ofu, Olosega and Ta'ū are typically small, family-run establishments that serve as essential community lifelines. These modest shops stock basic necessities including canned goods, pasta, milk, sodas, snacks and household items, though selection varies significantly based on recent supply shipments and local demand.

Operating hours are generally flexible, with most stores opening between 6:30-8 am and closing around 7-10 pm on weekdays. Sunday hours are often limited, reflecting the islands' strong Christian culture. Store owners frequently memorise prices rather than relying on electronic systems, and many items may not be individually price-tagged.

Expect to pay premium prices due to freight costs from shipping goods across the Pacific - items can cost 50-100% more than mainland US prices. Bottled water might cost US$1, while specialty items like cheese or insect repellent can reach $15-$20. Most stores operate on cash-only basis, though some accept basic electronic payments.

Learn more about shopping experiences in Am Sam in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in American Samoa LINK#TT011.