Fijian cuisine is based on the use of 4 main ingredients: these include coconuts, seafood, root vegetables (yams, cassava, taro), vegetables.
Fiji national cuisine
It is worth noting that in Fiji food is prepared in several ways: the most familiar for Europeans is continental, and more exotic food is prepared according to Indian recipes with a lot of spices. In addition, the Asian way stands out, which means cooking in accordance with Japanese, Chinese and Korean culinary traditions.
The local cuisine contains meat dishes (goat, game, lamb) with curries, all kinds of seafood fried over charcoal, rice and wheat pancakes with coconut sauce, taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, cassava puddings. Those wishing to try something exotic can be offered to taste "balolo" - fried and spiced small sea worms.
Popular Fijian dishes:
- "Rou-rou" (salad with taro, more precisely with its leaves - it is usually served as an addition to fish);
- “Caconda” (a fish dish marinated with lime juice);
- “Lovo” (a dish with fish or meat and local vegetables cooked in earthen ovens);
- “Cassava” (a dish in the form of mashed bananas and tapioca with coconut milk);
- "Duruka" (a dish made from boiled vegetables, like asparagus).
Where to taste the national cuisine?
Since local gastronomic traditions are being replaced by Japanese, Chinese, Latin American dishes, then if your goal is to taste traditional Fijian cuisine, it is advisable to go to visit one of the local residents or to remote islands. But nevertheless, you can satisfy your hunger in Suva in “Ashiyana” (on the menu you will find local cuisine with an Indian accent - if you wish, you can order dishes with moderate addition of spices) or “Eden Bistro & Bar” (the institution will be liked by lovers of meat and dishes from seafood), and in Nadi - at “The New Nadi Farmers Club” (here guests are treated to seafood and international dishes, as well as parties are held here). Important: it is customary to leave some kind of souvenir instead of tips in local establishments, but things are different in Indian and large restaurants in tourist areas, where it is advisable to leave 5-10% of the bill for tea (it is not customary to leave for tea in cafes).
Cooking classes in Fiji
Sometimes local restaurants hold culinary workshops, which you can attend, but for this you should inquire about their schedule in advance. If you are interested in home cooking, accept an invitation from a local to come to his house - he will reveal the secrets of Fijian cuisine and treat you with local specialties.
A trip to Fiji can be timed to coincide with the Sugar Festival (Lautoka, September).
