While Chuuk is far from a Metropilis, it is the biggest island in the Federated States of Micronesia, so has some life and nightlife. Chief among said nightlife is Truk Stop, both a top class restaurant and hotel.
I have yet to stay at the hotel, but we have now sampled its food delights a few times as part of our Least Visited Countries Tour. And our verdict? Probably the best food in Chuuk.
What the Chuuk?
Chuuk, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, is a cluster of islands surrounded by a stunning lagoon. Once known as Truk, it’s famous for its World War II history, with sunken Japanese warships now serving as legendary dive sites.
While its beauty is undeniable, life here is laid-back to the point of being sleepy. A mix of traditional Micronesian culture and remnants of colonial influence makes Chuuk fascinating—if you’re patient enough to explore.
What the Truk Stop Hotel and Restaurant
Seemingly this is one of the two hotels that caters to the dive community and tourists to this state of Micronesia. And while I have not stayed at Truk Stop it does seem to be the better organized and indeed have the better restaurant.
Rooms wise it has capacity for about 50, less than Blue Lagoon, but restaurant and bar wise it has by far the bigger spread.
Truk Stop Restaurant
Truk Stop Restaurant is located ay yet back of the hotel and has inside dining for about 50 and perhaps 150+ at a push outside. It is outside where they also have locals playing music and ready to get their grove on. This also means that of a night time and at weekends this is also the crux for much of Chuuk nightlife.
There is also a deck/promenade to the right of things which is mostly for the dive people, but also offers a great place to enjoy the best sunset on Chuuk Island.
Food at Truk Stop at the Hard Wreck Cafe
The menu at Truk Stop is decent ins size, international in out look and a fair price for the island. This means that steak is about $30, but most main dishes are closer to $15. This was at least the case with the poke and sashimi. Alas tuna was not available, but the rainbow fish more than made up for it.
The rest of the guys got a whole heap of different things from fish and chips to chop suey and rice, courtesy of the Filipino staff and menu here.
There is also randomly and inextricably a cake shop at he front. We used this to get a cake for a lady who’d recently had a birthday and it was actually pretty amazing and less dry than we had expected it would be.
Overall the food was top notch and of a far higher quality than at the Blue Lagoon Hotel Restaurant – which I will cover later.
Click the link to read about China Star Hotel.
And the bar? – Mangrove Bar
While the place is more restaurant than bar they do have drinks here and indeed local ones. The guys were drinking Long Board Beer which is supposedly from Hawaii, but was sadly bottled in Colorado. I really cannot wait for PNG and SP, maybe with Paiawara.
Yes they were $7 a go, but again this is just what beers cost in Truk. Alas I could not drink astray did not do soda water. This is still something that shocks me, but again a thing I kind of just beed to get used to in the Pacific.
Click the link to learn about Ocean View Hotel in Pohnpei
Location of Truk Stop
On the road from the airport and closer than Blue Lagoon. This might not sound like much, but when the roads are as bad as they are in Chuuk it makes a difference.
Address;
Truk Stop Hotel
1993 Weno Boulevard
Weno, Chuuk
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: +691-330-4232
Email: reservations@trukstop.com