Samoan Roast Pork (Pua’a Tunu)

Roast pork is the grand centerpiece of the Samoan umu, where a whole pig is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones for hours. Pua’a tunu is the home-oven version of that feast, using the same beloved soy, garlic, and ginger marinade that flavors island roasts. It is the dish served at weddings, birthdays, and church fundraisers, carved into generous slabs for a hungry crowd.

What makes it great: the long marinade and slow roasting transform the pork into something extraordinary — crackling-crisp edges, deeply savory caramelized glaze, and tender, juicy meat that pulls apart with a fork. Served with palusami, taro, and rice, it is the closest thing to a Samoan banquet you can make at home.

Samoa recipes →