The Origin of the Roasted Porg Dish in Star Wars
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you probably remember the adorable little creatures called porgs from The Last Jedi. These wide-eyed, puffin-like animals instantly captured hearts everywhere. But their on-screen charm was also accompanied by a hilarious moment—and an unexpected twist—when Chewbacca roasted a porg for dinner. This scene intrigued fans and led to countless jokes and theories about how roasted porg became part of the galaxy far, far away.
Let’s explore the origin of the roasted porg dish, how it fits into Star Wars storytelling, and why porgs became such a memorable part of the franchise. Spoiler alert: the story behind the porgs is both practical and fun!
What Are Porgs?
Before diving into the food angle, let’s talk briefly about porgs. These are small, bird-like creatures native to Ahch-To, the remote planet where Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has been living in exile. In the Star Wars universe, porgs are the local wildlife of the island where Luke hides, and they nest in the cliffs and fly around like puffins. They’re curious, social, and undeniably cute.
Now, let’s rewind to the real-world production of The Last Jedi. Ahch-To was filmed on Skellig Michael, a small island off the coast of Ireland. This island is home to thousands of puffins, which naturally appeared in many of the film’s outdoor shots. Instead of spending countless hours digitally removing puffins from every scene, the filmmakers came up with an ingenious idea: turn the puffins into porgs. They redesigned the birds with a Star Wars twist, giving them bigger eyes, chunkier bodies, and a quirky personality that added charm to the movie.
The Roasted Porg Scene
Chewbacca’s interaction with the porgs is one of the most memorable moments in The Last Jedi. In a humorous but slightly awkward scene, we see Chewbacca sitting by a fire, roasting a porg on a spit. Just as he’s about to eat it, a group of living porgs gathers around him, staring at him with big sad eyes. Clearly uncomfortable, Chewbacca feels guilty and reluctantly decides not to eat the roasted porg. The moment is funny, but it also has depth—it shows Chewbacca’s soft side despite his tough, warrior-like demeanor.
This scene became iconic, sparking endless jokes among fans. It also raised amusing questions: Are porgs a delicacy in Ahch-To? Did Chewbacca catch and cook one himself? And most importantly, what does roasted porg taste like?
While Star Wars hasn’t officially answered these questions (at least not in canon), fans have come up with all sorts of theories. Some believe roasted porg might taste like chicken or fish due to their resemblance to birds and their island habitat. Others think it’s a chewy, gamier meat, akin to duck or pheasant. Whatever the flavor, the roasted porg dish has cemented itself as an unforgettable moment in Star Wars history.
Why Include Roasted Porgs in Star Wars?
So, why did the filmmakers choose to show Chewbacca roasting a porg in the first place? There are a few reasons.
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A Practical Joke: This scene adds humor to balance out the darker tone of The Last Jedi. Throughout the movie, the stakes are high, and the Resistance faces immense challenges. Moments of lighthearted comedy, like watching Chewbacca struggle with his dinner, give fans a chance to laugh and relax amidst the tension.
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Character Development: Chewbacca’s relationship with the porgs reflects his personality. While he’s tough and grumpy on the surface, this scene reminds us that he has a compassionate side. The moment is subtle yet effective in fleshing out his character.
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World-Building: In any Star Wars film, the galaxy feels more immersive when it includes realistic details. Seeing Chewbacca prepare food adds a sense of authenticity. It’s a small but significant way to show the mundane, everyday life of characters, even in such an extraordinary setting.
Porg Culture in Fandom
After The Last Jedi released in 2017, porgs became internet sensations. Fans quickly adopted them as one of the cutest Star Wars creatures, rivaling droids like BB-8 and Ewoks. Merchandise featuring porgs—plush toys, shirts, coffee mugs—flew off shelves. And, unsurprisingly, the roasted porg scene inspired countless memes, fan art, and even recipes.
Yes, recipes! Creative Star Wars fans began imagining what roasted porg would taste like and shared recipes for porg-inspired dishes online. Some experimented with roasted chicken or game meats to mimic porg, while others crafted vegetarian alternatives shaped like the fictional bird. The cultural impact of the roasted porg dish shows how an amusing moment on-screen can spark endless creativity off-screen.
Conclusion
In the end, the origin of the roasted porg dish in Star Wars is both practical and playful. It started as a clever solution to handle real-world puffins during filming but evolved into a memorable and heartwarming moment on-screen. Chewbacca’s culinary adventure not only entertained audiences but also contributed to Star Wars’ rich tapestry of storytelling.
So, whether you find yourself laughing at Chewbacca’s guilt or wondering how porgs taste, this moment is a shining example of why Star Wars continues to captivate fans. After all, even in a galaxy full of Jedi and starships, sometimes grilled porgs are all you need to remind you that these characters are just as delightfully human—or Wookiee—as we are.
