Umu refers to the traditional Samoan oven where some of the local specialities are cooked. Umu is an outside oven, where food is placed on hot rocks and covered with leaves.

An umu is the traditional method used by Samoan's for cooking food. A fire is built and stones placed on it. When the fire is down to the embers green bananas, breadfruit, taro, fish, and lu'au are placed on the stones. When everything to be cooked has been placed on the umu, it is covered with banana fronds and left to cook.