Eating in Papua

The province of Papua is not like any other island in Indonesia where you have warungs and restorans catering for travellers. The more remote the area, the more likely it is that the menus will be basic.

There are hotels that cater for travellers but the food is just average but palatable and their menus are extensive in some respects. There is, however, a few Chinese and Indonesian restorans and more are opening up as the island’s popularity grows as a tourist destination.

Basically, the produce of the area is used – local meats (if you can guess what that is!), fish, vegetables, and fruits such as pawpaws, mangoes, passion fruit, pineapples and bananas.

The traditional cuisine of Papua is something to behold and based on root crops. These include taro, kaukau and yams, sago and pig. A traditional dish called Mumu combines pork, sweet potatoes, rice and greens. Going to a traditional feast is one experience and one not to be missed!.

Alcoholic beverages are available and include Australian and Filipino beers. Spirits and the ilk tend to be very expensive.