The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Papuan Food
Papua New Guinea has a unique blend of flavors and ingredients in its food. The five countries that have the most similar diets also have tropical climates and are located close to the equator. Two are located in Melanesia, while the other three are part of Africa. All these countries are not especially well developed and many of their people still rely on subsistence farming.
- Solomon Islands are a group of islands located just to the east of Papua New Guinea. Both countries enjoy dishes like kokoda, a marinated fish salad made with lime juice, coconut cream, and fresh vegetables. In addition, taro and sweet potato are staple ingredients. In addition, coconuts are a common ingredient in their meals.
- Vanuatu is another Melanesian country in the Pacific Ocean. Both countries utilize an array of tropical ingredients, including root crops like taro, yam, and sweet potato. They both traditionally wrap parcels of vegetables, starches, and meat in banana leaves, then steam them in a small pit filled with hot stones. Tuna and barramundi are two commonly eaten fishes in these island nations.
- Gabon is in Africa, but it is another heavily forested country close to the equator that receives a lot of rainfall. The use of root vegetables, particularly taro and yams, is one significant similarity between their cuisines. In addition, bananas are by far the most commonly eaten fruit in both nations.
- São Tomé and Príncipe is yet another archipelago on this list, but it is located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific. Both have an abundance of tropical fruits, such as bananas, papayas, and coconuts. In Sao Tome, dishes like calulu, a stew combining fish, leafy greens, and palm oil, resonate with the use of fresh seafood and local produce in Papua New Guinean cuisine.
- Comoros and Papua New Guinea are thousands of kilometers apart, but they share some similarities in their cuisine due to their tropical island environments, reliance on local agriculture, and historical influences. Coconut, bananas, yams, taro, cassava, and breadfruit are common in both diets.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Papua New Guinea
The Least Similar Cuisines to Papuan Food
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Papua New Guinea are landlocked. In addition, four of the five countries are located in Asia. These countries also have much drier climates than Papua New Guinea, so their agriculture is far different. All five countries are predominately Muslim as well.
- Uzbekistan is a doubly-landlocked country in Central Asia. The country’s cuisine features a mix of traditional Uzbek and Russian dishes. Potatoes and wheat are two of the most commonly consumed starches in Uzbekistan, unlike in Papua New Guinea where sweet potatoes and rice are more prevalent.
- Tajikistan is a mountainous country in Central Asia. Like Uzbekistan, it was once part of the Soviet Union. Tajik cuisine features stews, dumplings, and bread, and the extensive use of lamb and beef, in stark contrast to Papua New Guinea. The Tajik people incorporate spices such as cumin, coriander, dill, and parsley, which are not as common in Papuan food.
- Turkmenistan is influenced by Turkic, Persian, Russian, and Central Asian cuisines, shaped by nomadic traditions. Similar to Uzbek and Tajik food but with unique Turkmen variations. In contrast, indigenous Papuan cuisine is based on tropical agriculture, foraging, and fishing, with minimal foreign influence.
- Algeria is influenced by Arab, Berber, Ottoman, French, and Mediterranean flavors. It has strong North African and Middle Eastern elements. In contrast, Papuan food has heavy reliance on tropical crops, seafood, and local hunting. There is little foreign influence in Papua New Guinea, except for urban areas.
- Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea, but it is still considered to be landlocked as well. The predominately Muslim country’s cuisine is heavy in the use of wheat, potatoes, and tomatoes. Furthermore, the most widely consumed fruits in Azerbaijan include watermelons, grapes, and apples, which are not as commonly eaten in Papua New Guinea.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Papua New Guinea
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Papua New Guinea’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Saltwater Fish, Pork
Fruit: Banana, Coconut
Vegetable: Onion, Peanut
Starch: Sweet Potato, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.