shutterstock

Top 23 Oceanian Snacks

Last updated on July 15, 2026
01

Salt and Pepper Calamari

4.3 ·

Salt and pepper calamari is a Chinese cuisine-inspired dish that’s so popular in Australia it might even be called one of Australia’s national dishes. The calamari, or squid in some cases, is covered in salt-and-pepper batter, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The dish is often prepared and served as a bar or pub snack, and it often comes garnished with garlic, fried chili, and spring onions. Salt and pepper calamari is so widely available in the country that it can be found everywhere from cafés to pubs, restaurants, and bistros. The only thing that’s important is that the seafood should be fresh, and the seafood to batter ratio should be similar in size and coating.

02

Avocado Toast

3.8 ·

Avocado toast is a dish consisting of a piece of toasted bread topped with a combination of mashed avocados, salt, pepper, and (sometimes) citrus juice. There are many varieties of this dish, so it can be enriched with ingredients such as salmon, tomatoes, onions, eggs, garlic, cheese, olive oil, or red pepper flakes. Although the dish is quite simple and straightforward, the location of its origin is not – some claim that it is an Australian invention, while others proclaim that Los Angeles is the place where it was born. Regardless of its origin, avocado toast started its modern-day revival on Instagram, and it has been trending across the globe ever since.

03

Cheese and Bacon Roll

3.8 ·

These fluffy rolls are a favorite of numerous children throughout Australia. The dough is sprinkled with bits of bacon and cheese, then baked in an oven until the cheese melts and the rolls are golden in color. For a filling meal, it is recommended to serve cheese and bacon rolls with a bowl of soup.

04

Whitebait Fritters

3.3 ·

Whitebait fritters are considered a delicacy in New Zealand and they are the most popular way of preparing whitebait. The recipe is quite simple, which is in contrast to the rather pricey fish. The batter is made from eggs and flour, to which fry fish is added, then seasoned with salt and pepper, but purists will advise to limit the use of flour and just use egg whites instead of whole eggs as too much eggs, flour, and spices can interfere with the taste of fish. These fritters can be consumed as a snack, enjoyed as an appetizer, or even a main meal when paired with a fresh salad on the side.

05

Chiko Roll

3.2 ·

Chiko roll is the Australian version of a Chinese spring roll or an egg roll. This snack consists of a dough made from eggs and flour which is filled with seasonings, carrots, cabbage, barley, mutton, celery, and rice. The dough is thick and almost chewy, and chiko rolls are commonly deep-fried in hot oil. They can be found in most fish and chips shops. These trademarked snacks were invented by Frank McEnroe in the 1950s. The name chiko roll refers to the original name, chicken roll, even though the snack never contained any chicken meat. Interestingly, chiko rolls are usually associated with beachside kiosks and surf culture.

06

Cheese Roll

3.0 ·

Cheese roll is a popular New Zealander snack consisting of rolled-up pieces of crustless white bread filled with cheese and onions. The combination is then grilled and topped with butter. The dish can be found at numerous cafeterias and similar food joints throughout New Zealand. It is recommended to consume cheese rolls on their own or to pair them with a hot bowl of soup.

07

SAO Biscuits

2.7 ·

SAO biscuits are Australian savory biscuits or crackers which have been trademarked by Arnott’s since 1904. According to the producer, these biscuits are made from seven layers of flaky pastry, and they have a distinctive light and bubbly texture. Many generations of Australians are fond of these biscuits because of the small holes on their surface. When buttered and squeezed together, two biscuits produce ‘worms’ of butter which start to emerge from the tiny holes. The same effect is achieved if the filling includes Vegemite. The name of the biscuits is still a mystery, but most people believe it refers to a Salvation Army Officer.

08

Marmite and Chip Sandwich

2.6 ·

This unusual sandwich consists of sliced butter bread that is coated in Marmite spread and sandwiched together with crispy potato chips. Though the thick, yeast-based Marmite spread is originally British, it is incredibly popular throughout Australia and New Zealand. Marmite and chip sandwich is a quickly assembled treat that is usually enjoyed as a filling snack.

09

Tama

n/a ·

Tama is a Palauan specialty made with eggs, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. The batter is typically flavored with vanilla, then fried in hot oil until it browns. This tasty fritter usually has a spherical shape and is characterized by a sweet flavor, a soft and spongy interior, and a crunchy, crispy layer on the outside.

10

Ulkoy

n/a ·

Ulkoy are deep-fried Palauan shrimp and squash fritters with a crunchy texture. In Palau, they are a national favorite along with being a delicious treat for the tourists. These fritters are usually additionally flavored with a zesty Creole seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper, and freshly chopped parsley leaves.

11

Kaukau

n/a ·
12

Keke pua'a

n/a ·
13

Alaisa fa'apopo

n/a ·
16

Babakau

n/a ·
17

Paifala

n/a ·
18

Samoan Poi

n/a ·
19

Taro Rösti

n/a ·
20

Buñelos dago

n/a ·
About this Ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 23 Oceanian Snacks” list until July 15, 2026, 777 ratings were recorded, of which 697 were recognized by the system as legitimate.

TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

What People Say

Similar Lists