CHAMORRO DISHES

Åggon (Starch)

Chicken Kelaguen & Flour Titiyas

Posted on Jul 29th, 2013

Kelaguen and Titiyas ~ both staples on a Chamorro fiesta table.  But you don't have to be invited to a fiesta in order to enjoy these tasty dishes…

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Red Rice

Posted on Feb 8th, 2014

Red Rice is a must-have for any Chamorro Fiesta menu.  Without red rice, it just won't seem much like a fiesta. You don't need to go to a party or…

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Red Rice made with Brown Rice

Posted on Feb 17th, 2014

My family is making a concerted effort to develop healthier eating habits. We're making small changes in the foods we eat as well as how we prepare…

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Riyenu ~ Chamorro Stuffing

Posted on Oct 14th, 2013

Chamorro stuffing, or Riyenu, is a delicious side dish usually served during special holiday meals, alongside baked turkey, ham, or roast pig. My…

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Totche (Meat):

Beef Tinaktak

Posted on Feb 5th, 2014

Beef Tinaktak is a delicious Chamorro dish.  It's one of my favorite comfort foods--I love drowning my rice with the coconut milk kådu…

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Carolyn’s Kådun Pika (Spicy Chicken)

Posted on Dec 29th, 2013

Kådun pika is a spicy Chamorro chicken dish that's somewhat similar to chicken adobo. It's an easy dish to make -- it takes only a few ingredients…

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Chamorro Bistek (or Bisteak)

Posted on Sep 26th, 2013

Bistek (or Bisteak) is a favorite Chamorro dish.  The addition of achote (or annatto) gives a unique flavor, along with the tanginess of the added…

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Corned Beef with Corn and Tomato Sauce

Posted on Oct 6th, 2013

Chamorros love canned corned beef!  It's called Latan Kåtne (canned meat) in Chamorro. Corned beef can be prepared many different ways, depending…

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Easy Homemade Chorizos

Posted on Jul 9th, 2017

I made pancakes for my kids' breakfast this morning, but the hubby and I wanted something heartier. Here's my version of homemade chorizo. It's…

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Pot Roast, Chamorro Style

Posted on Sep 28th, 2013

Whenever I find myself feeling a bit homesick, I think of something to cook that soothes my longing for my island home. Chamorro Pot Roast is one of…

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Guihan (Fish/Seafood):

Escabeche

Posted on Mar 20th, 2014

Escabeche is a dish made with fried fish and vegetables with a ginger-vinegar sauce. It's usually prepared for special occasions, but since we're in…

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Sides:

Chamorro Cucumber Salad

Posted on Dec 29th, 2013

Chamorro Cucumber Salad is a staple on most fiesta tables. With just a few ingredients, you can whip it up and have it on your dinner table in…

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Chamorro Potato Salad

Posted on Oct 13th, 2014

Chamorro Potato Salad is a must-have at any Chamorro gathering.  Your fiesta menu would not be complete without it. There are several variations…

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Daigo’ Kimchi with Rokkyo & Pickled Garlic

Posted on Oct 7th, 2014

This is a very simple salad or side dish made with pickled daikon radish, pearl onions, and garlic.  This is not a dish you want to eat before…

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Fina’dene’ ~ Chamorro ‘Special Sauce’

Posted on Oct 28th, 2013

Chamorro Special Sauce -- that's what my non-Chamorro friends call fina'denne', the literal translation of which means made with pepper or donne',…

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Grilled Eggplant with Coconut Milk

Posted on Aug 11th, 2013

I just love eggplants -- stir fried with beef or chicken, sautéed with onions and scrambled with eggs, eggplant parmesan, and a favorite -- grilled…

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Lumpia

Posted on Jul 28th, 2013

Lumpia is a staple at most Chamorro gatherings.  There are fried and fresh versions, both of which are extremely popular. There are so many…

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Miso Donne’ Dinanche (Miso Pepper Sauce)

Posted on Sep 22nd, 2014

Donne' Dinanche, or a hot pepper paste, has many variations.  It can be made with just peppers and no other seasoning, or you can add other…

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Pancit Bihon

Posted on Oct 13th, 2014

Pancit Bihon is a Filipino dish that Chamorros adopted as their own, fusing ingredients from several cultures as well as using home-grown…

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Pickled Green Papaya

Posted on Aug 20th, 2020

Pickled young (green) papaya was a favorite snack growing up on Guam.  In fact, it still is a favorite snack, and I make some whenever I find the…

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Riyenu ~ Chamorro Stuffing

Posted on Oct 14th, 2013

Chamorro stuffing, or Riyenu, is a delicious side dish usually served during special holiday meals, alongside baked turkey, ham, or roast pig. My…

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Shrimp Patties

Posted on Aug 18th, 2013

Hi everyone!  This is Hannah, Annie's daughter. I made some delicious shrimp patties for lunch one day. My version is somewhat different from…

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Spinach with Coconut Milk

Posted on Apr 22nd, 2014

This is a classic Chamorro dish that is a staple on most fiesta menus. The traditional dish is called…

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Tamåles Gisu

Posted on May 31st, 2014

Tamåles Gisu is a Chamorro tamales with one red side and a non-spicy white side. I make my tamåles by making the red side corn flour or…

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Kelaguen:

Ahi Tuna Poke

Posted on Oct 15th, 2013

Poke is a Hawaiian dish traditionally served as an appetizer, but it can also be a main dish when served with rice or corn titiyas. Modern…

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Chicken Kelaguen & Flour Titiyas

Posted on Jul 29th, 2013

Kelaguen and Titiyas ~ both staples on a Chamorro fiesta table.  But you don't have to be invited to a fiesta in order to enjoy these tasty dishes…

Continue Reading

Fresh Salmon Kelaguen

Posted on Oct 2nd, 2013

Kelaguen in Chamorro describes a dish that's prepared by mixing the main ingredient (usually chicken, beef, deer, or seafood) with lemon or lime…

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Fresh Shrimp Kelaguen

Posted on Aug 30th, 2013

I love shrimp kelaguen.  I love kelaguen, period, but shrimp kelaguen is at the top of the list, especially if it's FRESH SHRIMP kelaguen.  Oh, and…

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Sardine Kelaguen

Posted on Dec 23rd, 2014

Yes...kelaguen...with sardines.  Don't knock it 'till you try it. 🙂 This is one of my favorite foods.  If you know what kelaguen is and…

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Spam Kelaguen

Posted on May 29th, 2014

Spam is a staple on Guam.  In fact, Spam has been called the "poor man's steak" by many, although a can of Spam is not cheap!  I have a friend who…

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The Best Sashimi Ever

Posted on Jan 14th, 2014

I love sashimi! If you don't care to eat raw fish, then I'm sorry, but this recipe is not for you.  BUT, you can share it with someone who does!…

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Kådu (Soups/Stews):

Beef Shank Kådu with Fresh Vegetables and Vermicelli Noodles

Posted on Jan 5th, 2014

It's currently 9 degrees outside, with a windchill of -11 degrees -- it's the perfect time for a pot of my delicious Beef Shank Kådu (which means…

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Braised Oxtail Soup

Posted on Oct 7th, 2014

Don't let the name of this dish turn you off.  Oxtail, as the name describes, was commonly the meaty part of the tail of an ox.  Nowadays, they are…

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Carolyn’s Kådun Pika (Spicy Chicken)

Posted on Dec 29th, 2013

Kådun pika is a spicy Chamorro chicken dish that's somewhat similar to chicken adobo. It's an easy dish to make -- it takes only a few ingredients…

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Chicken Chalakiles

Posted on Sep 23rd, 2014

Chicken Chalakiles is one of my favorite Chamorro comfort foods.  It's a soup made with chicken, onions and garlic, thickened with toasted…

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Chicken Soup (Kådun Månuk)

Posted on Oct 20th, 2014

Kådu is the Chamorro term for soup or broth.  Think of it as Chamorro Comfort Food.  It could be 90 degrees outside on Guam, but serve…

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Corn Soup

Posted on Oct 3rd, 2013

Chicken corn soup is a classic dish on Guam.  It's made many different ways, from cutting corn kernels off fresh ears of corn to using canned or…

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Ham Hocks with Mongo (Mung) Beans

Posted on Feb 20th, 2021

Ham hocks and beans go so well together.  For those who’ve never heard of it before, a ham hock is the pork knuckle and is usually salt-cured and…

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Shrimp Kådu

Posted on Aug 6th, 2013

Kådu means soup or broth in Chamorro.  It refers to any type of broth or liquid in your cooked dish, be it soup, gravy, or a…

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Fina’ Mames (Desserts):

Åhu

Posted on Oct 9th, 2014

Åhu is a sweet and warm soup of sorts, and is a very popular dessert drink on Guam.  It's one of the first things I make when I go home for…

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Apigigi’ or Sweet Tamales

Posted on Aug 10th, 2013

Apigigi' is a Chamorro dessert that takes quite a bit of time to make, if prepared the traditional way. It calls for grated cassava or tapioca,…

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Banana Lumpia

Posted on May 20th, 2020

Banana lumpia is a super simple dessert to make.  It requires just a few ingredients — cooking bananas, sugar, cinnamon, and lumpia…

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Buñelos Aga (Banana Donuts)

Posted on Sep 12th, 2013

This is a family favorite.  Give it a try.  I think you’ll like it.  😊 BUÑELOS AGA' (BANANA…

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Buñelos Dågu

Posted on Oct 26th, 2013

If you had to list your favorite Christmas food, what would they be?  I'd have too many to list since I have quite a few favorites, but up near…

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Buñelos Månglo’ (aka Typhoon Donuts)

Posted on Sep 21st, 2013

Buñelos Månglo' is another Chamorro dessert.  The name is loosely translated into "Air Donuts".  I'm not sure why they're called that.  Maybe it…

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Cassava Cake

Posted on Feb 20th, 2021

Cassava cake is traditionally made from grated cassava, coconut cream, sweet young coconut, eggs, sugar, butter and evaporated milk.  These…

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Chamorro Potu (Sweet Rice Cake)

Posted on May 20th, 2014

Chamorro rice cakes, or Potu, are rice cakes that are made by soaking grains of rice in tuba, or a sweet fermented coconut sap.  The soaked rice is…

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Champulådu

Posted on Aug 29th, 2013

There are several Chamorro comfort foods that not only make me feel good right down to my bones, but bring back so many fond memories of growing up…

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Coconut Candy

Posted on Oct 14th, 2013

Coconut candy is an island dessert that's so simple to make, and fun to get the kids involved in making it. Growing up, we'd make this a lot…

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Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on Aug 29th, 2014

My entire family loves, loves, loves cookies!  Soft, chewy, crispy, crumbly, chocolate, butter, coconut, sugar, stuffed, double-stuffed, you name…

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Easy Shortcut Chamorro Cake

Posted on Aug 5th, 2013

This is an absolutely delicious cake, a favorite on Guam.  This is absolutely fantastic served without any frosting; however, it's also delicious…

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Guyuria

Posted on Aug 18th, 2013

Guyuria (pronounced gu-ju-ree-ah) is another traditional Chamorro cookie (Rosketti is another).  Some of my friends call them jawbreakers because of…

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Latiya

Posted on Jul 25th, 2013

Pronounced 'la-tee-ja', this is a classic Chamorro dessert.  A light, creamy, custard-like pudding topped with a generous sprinkling of ground…

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Madoya (Battered and Fried Bananas)

Posted on Aug 20th, 2013

Here's another very simple dish I'd like to share with you.  It's called Madoya (pronounced ma-dô-ja), lightly battered then fried slices of…

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Månha Pie

Posted on May 31st, 2014

This has got to be my most favorite Chamorro dessert!  For non-Chamorro-speaking friends, månha means the sweet, tender meat of the young, green…

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Potu

Posted on Oct 9th, 2014

Potu is a sweet steamed rice cake that's a Chamorro favorite.  It's traditionally made using sweet tuba, a Chamorro beverage made from fermenting…

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Pumpkin Turnovers (Pastit or Buchi Buchi)

Posted on Jul 31st, 2013

This is one of my most favorite desserts.  It's a turnover filled with a sweet, cinnamon-flavored pumpkin jam.  In Chamorro, Pastit is the term…

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Rosketti ~ a Chamorro cookie

Posted on Jul 25th, 2013

I won't lie to you...you WILL need to have a tall glass of milk or water when you eat these starchy Chamorro cookies.  It calls for an entire…

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19 comments

  1. Fran Bell says:

    Could you please send me the authentic Chamorro bread fruit recipe. Thank you.

  2. Mary says:

    Hello Annie, on the Apigigi can you freeze that mix ingredients in the banana leaf not cooked or you have to cook the Apigigi then freeze it. I also would like to know how long can you freeze the Apigigi?
    Thank you and God bless.

  3. Greggory Lewis says:

    I came to your website to find out how to make some of my favorite dishes that I loved when my family and I were stationed in Guam. We lived at Apra Heights, arriving in 1973 and leaving a few months after Super Typhoon Pamala, May 20, 1976. I would love to go back for a week or two but travel time is about too long for me now. Sure to miss the Pipe Dreams column too.

  4. Amie H. says:

    Annie,

    My husband and I just left Guam and I am so incredibly grateful for this website. I can’t wait to share a few Chamorro dishes with friends back here in the States. Thank you very much!

    • Margaret says:

      Thank you so much for sharing. I forgot some of the Chamorro recipes. My children are always requesting their favorites and I was too embarrassed to say I have forgotten. And so to look back by seeking your recipes is a relieve.

  5. Kevin Ignacio says:

    Hi there Annie my name is Kevin born and raised on Guam. I have been in texas for over 5 years now. I would like to say that I have tried a lot of the recipes you are sharing with us and I can’t thank you enough. They all have not failed me. The recipes are all on point and very good. What really brought me to your recipes was since my parents have passed on. I was not able to collect all the recipes to perfect. But since I have found your recipes. Its Like my parents are around. There are some of the recipes that I have tried increasing and it still comes out perfect and very delishous. And now I get a lot of people in different cultures asking me to cook certaint recipes and they all love the food from our culture.

  6. Drie says:

    Yummy, Great cooking Mrs. annie

  7. Edna J Martinez says:

    I use to have a cook book by you but I have moved many times since I left Guam and misplaced it. So this has been enjoyable.
    Thank you

  8. Alicia says:

    I used to cook in the kitchen with my NaNa when I was little and I loved it. Sadly When she died she took all of her recipes with her. For years I have longed for her food. Thank you so much for this sight! Traditional recipes from home with step by step instructions. Thank you thank you thank you is all I can say.

  9. Colton Manahane says:

    Annie, thank you for building this site with all these recipes. I wanted to make a plethora of Chamorro dishes for my father this weekend without asking him for any instruction; with this I may very well be able to do that!

  10. Joseph Reyes says:

    Ur site rocks!!! I’ve been in the states for 15 years n finding this is a culinary dream come true for me. Thank you for taking the time to do it, this is truely the Mauleg thing to do.
    Basta de malana with the other site’s. Lol. Seriously they all rock!!!

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