Posted by on 01 Nov 2019
, in Islands
One of the delights of travelling is eating local cuisine. Experience the flavours of Tahiti by trying the famous poisson cru or enjoying inexpensive and swift food at Les Roulottes.
Tahitian cuisine is a fantastic blend of Polynesian tradition with a French twist. In most dishes, you’ll find yams, sweet potatoes, bananas and breadfruit. Traditional food is wrapped in leaves and cooked in an ahima’a, the traditional Polynesian underground oven with hot stones.
Here are some dishes that you need to try while in Tahiti:
POISSON CRU OR EI’A OTA
Do not miss Tahiti’s signature national dish, poisson cru which means “raw fish” in French. In Tahitian, it known as ia ota (ee-ah oh-tah). It’s on every menu on the islands so be sure to try it during your holiday. This delicious, melt-in-your–mouth dish consists of raw tuna marinated in lime juice and coconut milk, mixed with diced vegetables. Poisson cru can also be prepared with other seafood variations such as crab, eel, lobster, mussels, octopus, squid, prawns or sea urchin. Other fish variations include salmon, snapper, halibut or jack fish.
Poisson cru is one of the top dishes to try in Tahiti. It’s so delicious that you’ll certainly miss it when you head home.
CHEVREFFES
Another mouth-watering entrée, chevreffes are freshwater shrimp cooked with creamy coconut milk and vanilla.
POULET FAFA
Poulet fafa or chicken with taro leaves is another scrumptious dish you need to try in Tahiti and is also cooked in the traditional ahima’a. Chicken, taro leaves or spinach, onions, garlic and spices are cooked with coconut milk.
PO’E
Cap off your Tahitian meal with traditional dessert called po’e. Po’e is a sweet, creamy pudding made of taro flavoured with banana, vanilla, papaya or pumpkin topped with coconut milk sauce. Po’e is is so delectable that you might want to bring some back home!
OTHER MUST-TRY’S
FRESH FRUITS
Enjoy the French Polynesia’s delicious fresh fruits for dessert. The islands are brimming with papayas, pineapples, bananas, coconuts, mangoes and other citrus fruits.
KATO
Tasty biscuits made with coconut milk and best paired with coffee!
FIRIFIRI
Eight-shaped donuts dipped in coffee.
LUNCH OR DINNER AT LE COCO’S RESTAURANT
If you prefer fine dining with incredible views of the islands as your backdrop, enjoy an unforgettable, 3-course lunch or dinner at Le Coco’s Restaurant. Le Coco’s is located in Punaauia on Tahiti’s west coast. It is known for its world-class service, French Polynesian cuisine, wine selection and Chef Benedicte’s heavenly desserts. Indulge your taste buds and try Coccinelle Demoiselle, a ladybug dressed in chocolate, hot chocolate fondue, strawberries and magic sugar.
DINNER AT BLOODY MARY’S RESTAURANT
Dine at the most famous restaurant in Bora Bora, Bloody Mary’s. Upon your arrival, you will be amazed by the multitude of celebrity names listed on the wall that have dined at Bloody Mary’s. The restaurant offers a casual atmosphere with its thatched roofs, sand floor and tree trunk bar stools. It is also known for its fresh seafood, signature cocktails and varied food choices including sandwiches, burgers, quesadillas, fish and chips and more!
LES ROULOTTES
Do you want to try local cuisine without breaking your holiday budget? Roulottes or food trucks offer the best, inexpensive way to experience local Tahitian dishes. Enjoy a wide array of dishes such as mahi mahi, tuna, pizzas to flaming crepes as you dine amongst the locals.
For more information on Tahitian cuisine or if you need help in planning your holiday to Tahiti, enquire now or call our team of Tahiti Travel Specialists at (02) 9094 3322.
