What’s your hands-down favorite local food?

Food adds flavor to relationships
“My favorite local food is called motsiyas. It’s a mixture of ground chicken, hot pepper leaves, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It’s a dish from Rota and my husband makes it. It is so delicious because it brings out different flavors. It is zesty and every bite gives a kick because of the mint leaves. I like it baked or grilled.”
—Michelle Atalig
\Kagman

Home is where your all-time favorite food is
“My favorite local food is chicken kelaguen and it helps that I can make it. It is really tasty and delicious. I’ve traveled around the world and nothing is quite like it. Whenever I go to the U.S. mainland, family and friends requests for it. They have learned to love it too.”
—Roberta Guerrero
executive director
Micronesia Islands
Nature Alliance

Sometimes a simple meal is the best one
“My favorite local food is fried local reef fish with any root crop like kamote (sweet potato), taro, or yam. It is downright delicious, readily available, sustainable and healthy. It is a simple dish but the health benefit is enormous. Eating organic definitely helps in looking young and having a good outlook in life.”
—John Oliver Gonzalez
chief of staff
Office of the Lt. Governor

Food brings back childhood memories
“My favorite local food is coconut titiyas. This dish may be a substitute for bread or rice and may be eaten as a meal with chicken or fish. I usually get it at the Seaside Grill iatn Pacific Islands Club Saipan during happy hour in their fish kelaguen platter. It is sweet like (Filipino) rice cake and I just like it very much.”
—Christine Toledo
Susupe

For the sweet tooth in all of us
“My favorite local food is lantiyas. It’s a custard-like dessert usually eaten as it is or used as a topping on cakes and Chamorro sponge cakes. It is definitely delicious and not too sweet. I like going to family gatherings and look forward to the lantiyas because different families have their own lantiyas recipes. The flavors change because new ingredient are added to their special recipe but it is delicious every time.”
—Ashley Sikayun
Marianas Visitor’s Authority

Although there are many delicious foods easily available on island, it is always good to go back to our roots and enjoy what the islands are ready to offer any time.