Explore Guides
Local food map
Port Vila (Vanuatu)
Hotels in area
Drink
Vegan
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
17kcal
0.5gProtein
3gCarbs
—Fat
—Fibre
250 mlServing
* Per serving · 250 ml. May vary.
Nakamal Kava
How to order / say it
Say it
Kava — [Nah-kah-mal Kah-vah]
Order
I'll have a Nakamal Kava.
Locally
Mi wantem kava plis.
Say locally
A mildly narcotic drink made from kava roots.
Why try it?
Nakamal Kava is an integral part of Vanuatu's cultural and social life, offering an authentic taste of island traditions and hospitality.
How it tastes
The drink is earthy, slightly bitter, and numbing, often described as being similar to muddy water, reflecting its raw preparation.
Origin & History — first documented: 1847
Dating back centuries, kava has been consumed for its calming properties. In Port Vila, Nakamals (traditional kava bars) foster community ties by providing a space for social engagement.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥕 200 g Kava root
- 1 liter Cold water
Method
- 1 Grind or crush the kava root to a fine pulp.
- 2 Soak in cold water, kneading to release the flavor.
- 3 Strain the mixture and serve in coconut shells.
More from Port Vila
🥩
Main course
Meat
Tuluk
Too-look
A cassava roll stuffed with savory meat.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Vegan
Lap Lap
Lap-Lap
Traditional root vegetables cooked in coconut cream.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Coconut Crab
Rako
Rah-koh
A delicacy of coconut-flavored crustacean.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Roa
Roh-ah
Fish marinated with spices, grilled in banana leaves.