Local Favorites: 8 Must-Try Samoa Pastries

Farmer Joe’s supermarket bakery. Photo by Bernard Suaava.

Are you curious about what kinds of pastries Samoa has to offer?

Various options are available, and they come in different flavors and forms.

From pancakes to pork buns, German buns to biscuits, pies to bread, and donuts to cookies, I love them all, and personally, I can’t just choose one favorite.

These pastries are available from street vendors, local markets, supermarkets, and shops.

They often cost WST$1.00 to WST$5.00 or less. So the prices are reasonable.

In this blog, I’ll share my husband and my favorite island pastries with you — specifically the most popular pastries among locals and Samoans living abroad.

If you’re ever in the Samoan islands, try some of the pastries listed below!

1. Panikeke Lapotopoto (Round Pancakes)

These panikeke lapotopoto (round pancakes) are from the street vendor at Vaialua, Nofoali’i, Samoa. You’ll also find the round pancakes at the local markets in Apia. Photo by Quinney Suaava.

In Samoa, there are two kinds of pancakes: round and flat. You’ll get the round pancakes at the markets or from street vendors, while the flat pancakes (panikeke mafolafola) are what you’ll typically find in a Samoan home.

Our favorite pancakes are the round ones. Just basic and banana flavors are available. When taking your first bite, the outside of the pancake is crispy, but you’ll immediately sink your teeth into the soft, fluffy cake-like interior filling.

Every bite of this fried golden sphere will have you wanting another and another till there are no more left.

Round pancakes are best consumed for breakfast or as a snack in the evening.

2. Keke Pua’a (Pork Buns)

The best deep-fried pork buns you’ve ever had! Stop at the local markets in Apia to get some for breakfast, or lunch. Photo by Quinney Suaava.

You will adore keke pua’a (pork buns) if you’re a meat lover. When selecting, be prepared to choose one that suits your taste from the many possible filling choices and methods of cooking them.

You can choose from different meat fillings, starting with the most commonly found: chicken, pork, lamb, or beef. The second thing to consider is if you want it steamed or deep-fried. My husband absolutely loves deep-fried keke pua’a.

Savory taste, crispy on the outside, the bun is neither dense nor too greasy. The bun is just a perfect portion to complement your meat filling.

3. Pagi Pegu (German Buns)

Elevate your taste with Samoa German Bun. Most locals make their own, but you’ll find this one at Sula’s Bakery, Moata’a, Apia. Photo by Quinney Suaava.

Pagi Pegu, or German Buns, will never disappoint you. A German bun consists of shredded coconut and caramelized sugar filling. Deep-frying is the way to cook it. Expect it to be crispy and golden on the outside.

The filling is not a paste, neither mushy nor dry, but just fair so that you can taste the shredded coconut and caramelized sugar. It’s that authentic!

4. Masi (Biscuits)

Masi (Biscuits) from Sula’s Bakery at Moata’a, Samoa. Photo by Quinney Suaava.

Samoan people love masi, or biscuits. It may also be known as cookies, depending on it’s dough, but to me, masi has always meant biscuits. A masi has a square form and is flaky, airy, and buttery.

When you break it in half, the pieces become brittle. Depending on each vendor, some masi are sweeter than others, but still, the sugar doesn’t overpower the buttery flavor.

5. Pai Fala (Pineapple Pie/Half-Moon Pie)

My favorite pineapple pie is from Lynns supermarket, Apia, Samoa. Photo by Sonya Kennach.

Pai fala is a half-moon-shaped pastry with the literal translation of “pineapple pie.” Filled with either regular or pineapple custard.

Pineapple custard? We’re talking about using fresh pineapples on the islands.

The pineapple pie resembles the flaky, coconut-flavored masi (biscuit) crust almost exactly. It has just the right amount of sweetness to it.

6. Falaoa (Bread)

You can find falaoa (bread) at any shops and supermarkets. Buy some from Frankie’s supermarket. Photo by Sonya Kennach.

Whenever you stop in a local grocery shop, you will always be greeted with the aroma of freshly baked loaves of Samoan bread.

Make sure to head to the bakery aisle first because the loaves of bread always fly off the shelves. They are delicious!

The dough is soft, light, and airy. Falaoa is a type of Samoan bread that is savory rather than sweet.

7. Kogaki (Donut)

Kogaki (Donut) bought from Farmer Joe’s supermarket. They have the best pastries! Photo by Quinney Suaava.

Watch out for a Samoan donut. It brings back pleasant childhood memories for me.

Of course, there are several, but our favorite is a long doughnut filled with whipped-cream and strawberry jam. Everything dissolves in your mouth as soon as you bite into it. The sweetness is on point!

8. Keke Saiga (Chinese Cake/Cookie)

Sweet keke saiga biscuit from Wilson supermarket at Moata’a, Samoa. Photo by Quinney Suaava.

Chinese Cake is the literal translation, but it is a type of Samoan cookie.

It has a balanced sweetness and savoriness to it. Keke Saiga is crafted from two separate doughs and resembles a flower shape. It certainly possesses a unique flavor all of its own.

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