How to Find Palauan Food in Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural tapestry, diverse culinary landscape, and deep-rooted Texan traditions. From sizzling barbecue joints to authentic Mexican taquerías and Vietnamese pho shops, the city offers an impressive array of global flavors. Yet, one of the most overlooked and underrepresented cuisines in the region is Palauan food — the traditional cuisine of the Republic of Palau, a Pacific island nation nestled in the western Pacific Ocean. For those curious about the flavors of Micronesia, or for Palauan expatriates seeking a taste of home, discovering Palauan food in Fort Worth can feel like searching for a hidden gem. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to locating authentic Palauan cuisine in the city, exploring cultural context, practical strategies, trusted resources, and real-world examples to help you connect with this unique culinary heritage.

Why does finding Palauan food matter? Beyond satisfying hunger, food is a vessel of identity, memory, and community. For Palauans living far from home, sharing traditional dishes like reklai (fermented breadfruit), kelaguen (marinated seafood), or palusami (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk) is a way to preserve culture and pass it on to younger generations. For non-Palauans, exploring this cuisine offers a rare opportunity to experience the subtle, earthy, and coconut-forward flavors of a Pacific Island culture that remains largely invisible in mainstream American food media. While Fort Worth may not have a dedicated Palauan restaurant, the ingredients, techniques, and community networks that sustain this cuisine are present — if you know where and how to look.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand What Palauan Food Is

Before you begin your search, it’s essential to understand the core components of Palauan cuisine. Unlike the bold spices of Thai or the umami-rich profiles of Japanese food, Palauan dishes rely on natural fermentation, slow cooking, and the use of local ingredients such as coconut milk, taro, breadfruit, yams, seafood, and wild greens. Common cooking methods include baking in underground ovens (known as chimney ovens), steaming in banana leaves, and fermenting in sealed containers.

Key dishes to recognize include:

• Reklai – Fermented breadfruit, often served as a starchy side with a tangy, sour flavor.
• Kelaguen – A dish made from raw fish or chicken marinated in lemon juice, chopped onions, chili peppers, and grated coconut. Similar to ceviche but with a distinctly Pacific Island twist.
• Palusami – Taro leaves wrapped around coconut cream and baked until tender. Often served at gatherings.
• Chamorro-style chicken – Though technically from Guam, this dish is commonly found in Palauan households due to cultural overlap in Micronesia.
• Coconut crab stew – A rare but traditional delicacy made with the meat of the giant coconut crab, slow-simmered in coconut milk and spices.

Understanding these dishes helps you identify them when you encounter them — whether in a home kitchen, community event, or informal pop-up.

Step 2: Connect with the Palauan Community in North Texas

The most reliable way to find Palauan food in Fort Worth is through personal connections. While there is no official census data tracking Palauan residents in the city, anecdotal evidence and community networks suggest a small but active Palauan population, primarily centered around military families and healthcare workers who relocated from Guam, Saipan, or Hawaii.

Start by searching for Palauan or Micronesian community groups on Facebook. Try keywords like:

• “Palauans in Texas”
• “Micronesian Community Fort Worth”
• “Chamorro and Palauan Families North Texas”

Join these groups and post a respectful inquiry: “Hi everyone, I’m interested in learning more about Palauan food. Does anyone in the area host traditional meals or know of someone who prepares them for gatherings?” Many community members are happy to share their culture, especially with those who show genuine interest.

Additionally, reach out to the Guam and Micronesian Association of Texas, which, while primarily focused on Chamorro culture, often includes Palauans and can connect you with individuals who prepare traditional dishes. Their events — such as annual cultural festivals or church potlucks — are prime opportunities to sample authentic food.

Step 3: Attend Cultural and Religious Events

Palauan food is rarely sold commercially — it is deeply tied to family, tradition, and communal celebration. The best places to taste it are at church gatherings, holiday events, or cultural festivals. Many Palauans are Catholic or Protestant, and churches in Fort Worth with Pacific Islander congregations often host food drives or Sunday dinners featuring traditional dishes.

Check the event calendars of the following churches:

• St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Has an active Filipino and Micronesian parish group.
• Fort Worth Filipino Community Church – Often includes Palauan and Marshallese attendees in their fellowship events.
• United Methodist Church of North Richland Hills – Hosts a Pacific Islander fellowship group that meets monthly.

Attend their potlucks or cultural days. These are usually free or low-cost, and attendees often bring homemade dishes. Don’t be shy — ask, “What’s this dish? Is it Palauan?” Most people will be delighted to explain and even offer a recipe.

Step 4: Explore Pacific Islander Grocery Stores

While you won’t find a Palauan restaurant, you may find ingredients that allow you to prepare or identify Palauan food. Visit grocery stores that cater to Pacific Islander communities. The closest options are in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex:

• Island Pacific Market (Irving, TX) – Stocks canned coconut milk, taro root, dried fish, and banana leaves. Staff often know customers from Guam, Palau, or the Marshall Islands and can point you toward homemade food connections.
• Philippine Grocery & Deli (Garland, TX) – Carries similar ingredients and sometimes has connections to Micronesian families who sell prepared food.
• Asian Food Center (Arlington, TX) – Offers frozen taro, breadfruit, and coconut cream. Ask if they know of any home cooks who prepare Micronesian meals.

When visiting these stores, ask employees: “Do you know anyone who makes Palauan food? I’d love to try it.” Many will recognize the request and either refer you to a neighbor or offer to connect you with someone who cooks at home.

Step 5: Use Food Sharing Platforms and Apps

Platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, and Facebook Events are increasingly used by home cooks to share ethnic cuisine. Search for terms like “Micronesian potluck,” “Pacific Island food,” or “homemade Palauan meal.”

On Uber Eats or DoorDash, search for “Micronesian” or “Pacific Island” — though results may be sparse, you might find a home cook registered under “private chef” or “ethnic home kitchen.” Some cooks operate under the radar, offering meals by appointment only.

On Instagram, search hashtags like

PalauanFoodTexas, #MicronesianKitchenDFW, or #HomemadePalauan. Many home cooks post photos of their meals with location tags. Reach out directly via DM with a polite message: “I saw your post and am fascinated by your cooking. Do you ever host meals or sell portions?”

Step 6: Engage with Local Universities and Cultural Centers

Fort Worth is home to several institutions with international student populations, including Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of North Texas Health Science Center. These schools often have international student associations that host cultural nights.

Reach out to TCU’s Office of International Affairs or the Health Science Center’s Global Student Association. Ask if they know of any Palauan students or staff who would be open to sharing a meal or hosting a small cooking demonstration. Many students are eager to share their heritage, especially when approached respectfully and with curiosity.

Also, check with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History or the North Texas Asian American Association. They occasionally host cultural food events and may have ties to Pacific Islander communities.

Step 7: Learn to Make It Yourself

If you’re unable to find Palauan food readily available, consider learning to prepare it yourself. This not only gives you access to the cuisine but also deepens your appreciation for its cultural roots.

Start by sourcing key ingredients:

• Coconut milk – Available in most grocery stores (look for unsweetened, full-fat).
• Taro root – Found at Asian or Pacific Islander markets.
• Breadfruit – Hard to find fresh, but frozen or canned versions exist in specialty stores.
• Chili peppers and lemon juice – Common in any grocery store.

Follow authentic recipes from:

• Palau National Museum’s Cultural Resources – Offers downloadable guides on traditional cooking.
• YouTube channels like “Micronesian Kitchen” or “Palauan Home Cooking” – Feature step-by-step tutorials.
• Books such as “The Pacific Islander Cookbook” by Lani Wendt Young or “Taste of the Pacific” by Kalia K. Sato.

Once you’ve mastered a dish, consider hosting your own Palauan-themed dinner and inviting local community members. This builds bridges and may lead to reciprocal invitations to their homes.

Step 8: Be Patient and Respectful

Palauan culture places high value on humility, hospitality, and respect. Unlike commercial food scenes, where service is transactional, finding Palauan food in Fort Worth requires patience and cultural sensitivity. Don’t expect to walk into a restaurant and order kelaguen like you would tacos. Instead, approach the search as a journey of connection.

When you meet someone who prepares Palauan food, express gratitude. Ask about the meaning behind the dish. Compliment the flavors. Offer to help clean up after a meal. These gestures build trust and open doors that no search engine ever could.

Best Practices

Practice Cultural Humility

Palauan cuisine is not a trend — it is the living heritage of a small island nation with a population of fewer than 20,000. Avoid treating it as exotic or novelty cuisine. Instead, approach it with reverence. Learn the names of dishes in Palauan, ask about their history, and honor the people who prepare them.

Support Home Cooks, Not Just Businesses

Most Palauan food in Fort Worth is prepared in private homes, not restaurants. Supporting home cooks — by attending their potlucks, purchasing meals by donation, or sharing their stories — sustains cultural preservation more than any corporate venture ever could.

Document and Share Responsibly

If you take photos of food or record conversations with home cooks, always ask for permission. Never post a recipe or dish without crediting the person who shared it. Many Palauan families consider their recipes family heirlooms.

Learn Basic Palauan Phrases

Even a simple “Mengal” (Thank you) or “Keseng” (Delicious) can make a profound difference. Showing effort to speak the language signals respect and deepens relationships.

Network, Don’t Just Search

Google searches won’t lead you to Palauan food. Real connections will. Attend events, join groups, and stay consistent. The more you show up, the more likely you are to be welcomed into the community.

Respect Dietary and Religious Norms

Some Palauan families avoid pork due to religious beliefs. Others may use specific types of fish considered sacred. Always ask before eating. When in doubt, say, “Is there anything I should know about this dish?”

Be an Advocate

If you find Palauan food, help others find it too. Write reviews (respectfully), share on social media, and encourage local cultural centers to feature Palauan cuisine in their programming. Visibility leads to sustainability.

Tools and Resources

Online Directories

• Palau Embassy Website – Offers contact information for Palauan diaspora associations worldwide.
• Micronesia Regional Council – Maintains a list of Pacific Islander groups across the U.S.
• Asian Pacific American Network – Tracks cultural events in Texas, including Pacific Islander gatherings.

Books and Media

• “Taste of the Pacific” by Kalia K. Sato – A comprehensive guide to Micronesian and Polynesian cuisines.
• “Palau: The Land and the People” by Peter R. Mills – Includes cultural context around food traditions.
• YouTube: “Palauan Home Cooking” Channel – Features real home cooks preparing meals in Palau and abroad.

Local Organizations

• Guam and Micronesian Association of Texas – Email: info@gmatx.org (check website for events)
• Fort Worth Multicultural Center – Hosts cultural exchange dinners; open to public.
• TCU International Student Office – Can connect you with Palauan students.

Ingredient Suppliers

• Island Pacific Market – 1325 W. Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039
• Philippine Grocery & Deli – 1221 E. Garland Ave, Garland, TX 75040
• Asian Food Center – 1401 S. Cooper St, Arlington, TX 76014

Mobile Apps

• Meetup – Search “Pacific Islander” or “Micronesian” in Fort Worth.
• Instagram – Use hashtags:

  PalauanFood, #MicronesianKitchen, #DFWFoodCulture

• Facebook Groups – “Palauans in the USA,” “Pacific Islanders in Texas”

Real Examples

Example 1: The Church Potluck That Changed Everything

In early 2023, a Fort Worth resident named Maria attended a Sunday potluck at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She had been searching for Palauan food for months. During the event, she noticed a woman serving a dish with green leaves wrapped in banana, steaming gently on a platter. Maria asked, “Is this palusami?” The woman, Mrs. Tere, nodded and smiled. “Yes, from my mother in Koror.”

Maria asked if Mrs. Tere ever cooked for others. Mrs. Tere said she sometimes made extra for neighbors and invited Maria to her home for a small dinner the following week. That night, Maria tasted her first reklai, kelaguen made with local red snapper, and coconut rice. She was so moved that she began documenting the experience on Instagram — which led to five other families reaching out to share their own recipes.

Example 2: The Home Kitchen on the South Side

On Facebook, a post by a Palauan woman named Elena read: “Making kelaguen this weekend. If anyone wants to try, DM me. $10 per portion, all proceeds go to Palauan youth scholarship fund.”

A local food blogger, James, responded. He picked up two portions and shared his experience: “The fish was tender, the coconut was creamy, and the lemon had just the right tang. It tasted like the ocean and the earth together. I didn’t know this existed in Fort Worth.” He posted a photo with her permission, and within a week, Elena received 17 requests. She now hosts monthly home dinners by reservation.

Example 3: The University Connection

A Palauan student studying nursing at UNT Health Science Center posted on the school’s international student forum: “Looking for others who miss home food. I’m cooking taro stew this Friday. Come if you’re curious.”

Three non-Palauan students showed up. One was a culinary arts major who later wrote a paper on “Hidden Cuisines of the Pacific in Texas.” The student group now meets monthly to cook and share meals from different Pacific nations, including Palau.

FAQs

Is there a Palauan restaurant in Fort Worth?

No, there is currently no dedicated Palauan restaurant in Fort Worth. Palauan food is primarily prepared and shared within private homes and community gatherings.

Why is Palauan food so hard to find in Texas?

Palau has a small population, and migration to Texas is limited compared to larger Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii or California. Most Palauans in Texas are connected through military or healthcare work and tend to cook at home rather than open businesses.

Can I order Palauan food online?

There are no known online retailers shipping authentic Palauan meals to Texas. However, you can order ingredients like coconut milk, taro, and dried fish from Pacific Islander grocery stores and prepare it yourself.

What’s the best time of year to find Palauan food events?

Look for events around August (Palau Independence Day), December (holiday potlucks), and during cultural festivals hosted by churches or community centers in spring and fall.

Are there Palauan food vendors at Fort Worth markets?

Not regularly. However, during multicultural festivals like the Fort Worth International Food Festival or the Texas Pacific Islander Cultural Expo, you may find home cooks selling small portions.

How can I support Palauan food preservation in Fort Worth?

Attend home-cooked meals, share stories respectfully, encourage cultural institutions to feature Palauan cuisine, and help document recipes with permission. Your interest helps sustain a culture that might otherwise fade in diaspora.

Do I need to be Palauan to enjoy this food?

No. Palauan food is meant to be shared. Curiosity, respect, and appreciation are the only requirements.

Conclusion

Finding Palauan food in Fort Worth is not about locating a restaurant on a map — it’s about discovering a community, a story, and a tradition that thrives quietly beneath the surface of everyday life. It requires patience, cultural humility, and a willingness to go beyond the usual search terms and well-trodden food trails. The ingredients are available. The people are here. The meals are being prepared — in kitchens, church halls, and living rooms — waiting for someone to ask, “Can I try some?”

This guide has provided you with the tools, strategies, and real-life examples to begin that journey. Whether you’re a Palauan longing for home, a food enthusiast seeking new flavors, or a cultural ally committed to preserving diversity, your next step is simple: show up. Attend an event. Send a message. Ask a question. Taste with an open heart.

Palauan food may not be on every menu in Fort Worth, but it is present — in the hands of those who carry it, in the stories behind each bite, and in the quiet resilience of a culture that refuses to be forgotten. Your curiosity is the first ingredient in keeping it alive.