Lu Pulu

Name: Lu Pulu
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Tonga
Ingredients: 1 lb corned beef or diced beef; 20 taro leaves; 2 cups coconut cream; 1 onion, chopped; Salt, to taste; Foil or banana leaves, for wrapping

6 servings20 min prep90 min cookMedium Tonga

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Lu Pulu

Story updated September 17, 2026

Lu pulu wraps corned beef and onion in taro leaves with coconut cream, then cooks the parcels in an umu earth oven. The use of corned beef reflects the influence of imported canned goods on Pacific Island diets during the colonial and trading era, blended into an otherwise traditional Tongan dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

1 lb corned beef or diced beef
20 taro leaves
2 cups coconut cream
1 onion, chopped
Salt, to taste
Foil or banana leaves, for wrapping

Instructions

1Preheat oven to 350°F.
2Layer the taro leaves to form a base and place the beef and onion in the center.
3Pour over the coconut cream and season lightly with salt.
4Fold the taro leaves over the filling to fully enclose it, then wrap in foil or banana leaves.
5Place the parcel in a baking dish and bake for 80-90 minutes until the leaves are meltingly tender.
6Unwrap and serve hot with rice or root vegetables.

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