The adventurous travellers, the ones eager to discover new cultures, are usually the ones who make the most out of their holidays. And if there is a discovery that travellers seem to particularly appreciate, wherever they travel to, it is most definitely the local gastronomy. Through local fruits and vegetables, good tasty dishes and cooking methods unique to the destination, you can experience the culture of your hosts. One sure thing is that the gastronomy of the Indian Ocean islands is particularly tasty. Its characteristic? A mix from several countries acquired over the centuries. Come share the culinary traditions of the Indian Ocean islands. Their kitchen doors are wide open for you to discover their specialties.
There are obviously similarities in dishes from all the Indian Ocean islands. You will notice that they are usually served with rice and are often quite spicy. It does not, however, prevent each country to cultivate certain peculiarities, a je-ne-sais-quoi that makes its food unique. Mauritius and Reunion Island have taken the best of the cuisines of India, China, Europe and of course Africa. The cuisine of Mauritius is so rich that it's hard to say that a particular dish is considered the country's national dish. This only makes the list of dishes you must try during your holidays in Mauritius longer… The "mines" for example are a must. Of Chinese inspiration, these noodles are fried with soy sauce, chicken or beef, omelet, shrimp and vegetables. It’s simply delicious. If you like seafood, you must taste the "vindaye pwason" and "cari zourite" (octopus curry). We recommend the "Briani", spicy rice served chicken, beef or fish and delicious potatoes. You also need to taste a good "rougaille socis" (a kind of spicy tomato sauce with sausages). Served with rice and red beans or black lentils, it’s a real good local treat. If you want to mingle with the local population, you have to eat "dholl puri" or "rotis" which are peas flour patties topped with curry and vegetables. As for "gajacks", Mauritian tapas, usually fried savory cakes, you can try the traditional "samosas", cheese croquettes or the delicious "gateaux piments" (chili cakes called "bonbons piments" in Reunion Island).
There are obviously similarities in dishes from all the Indian Ocean islands. You will notice that they are usually served with rice and are often quite spicy. It does not, however, prevent each country to cultivate certain peculiarities, a je-ne-sais-quoi that makes its food unique. Mauritius and Reunion Island have taken the best of the cuisines of India, China, Europe and of course Africa. The cuisine of Mauritius is so rich that it's hard to say that a particular dish is considered the country's national dish. This only makes the list of dishes you must try during your holidays in Mauritius longer… The "mines" for example are a must. Of Chinese inspiration, these noodles are fried with soy sauce, chicken or beef, omelet, shrimp and vegetables. It’s simply delicious. If you like seafood, you must taste the "vindaye pwason" and "cari zourite" (octopus curry). We recommend the "Briani", spicy rice served chicken, beef or fish and delicious potatoes. You also need to taste a good "rougaille socis" (a kind of spicy tomato sauce with sausages). Served with rice and red beans or black lentils, it’s a real good local treat. If you want to mingle with the local population, you have to eat "dholl puri" or "rotis" which are peas flour patties topped with curry and vegetables. As for "gajacks", Mauritian tapas, usually fried savory cakes, you can try the traditional "samosas", cheese croquettes or the delicious "gateaux piments" (chili cakes called "bonbons piments" in Reunion Island).
Seychelles’ gastronomy essentially revolves around seafood. The "Fish Curry" is a traditional specialty prepared with fish and curry sauce similar to Indian curry. The Seychelles’ food is like the archipelago, colorful and full of flavors... One sure thing is that you will often find coconut, "rougaille", eggplant or curry in the local dishes. You must try the "Cari Coco", a meat or fish stew cooked in a spicy coconut milk sauce. For the curious and adventurous, we urge you to taste the "Flying Fox" also known as the "Seychelles Roussette". This is a huge bat, cooked in a curry sauce. The taste is very similar to that of beef. The "Kat Kat" popular dish made from bananas, tuna and coconut milk is also a delicious specialty of the Seychelles.
In Madagascar also, rice is at the base of pretty much all the dishes. The "Vary amin'anana" is cooked rice with milk and honey, along with tomatoes, meat or eggs. The "Ravitoto" is a traditional dish made from cassava leaves and pork seasoned with aulx (typical plant of the country). Among the culinary curiosities you have the "Koba", a rice flour cake with brown sugar wrapped in banana leaves. You should also taste the chocolate from Madagascar, ranked amongst the best in the world.
To complete this gastronomic tour of the Indian Ocean islands, do stop in Sri Lanka which has arguably the spiciest cuisine of the five islands. Usually on the menu, you will find the words "devilled" meaning "evil" which is to avoid at all cost for those with a weak stomach. Be aware that meals in Sri Lanka take place later than in Europe. Lunches are not before 1:30 p.m. and dinners not before 8:30 p.m. At breakfast, you will find "String Hoppers", cooked rice vermicelli braided into patties and soaked in "Curry Hodhi" a garlic and coconut sauce. It is served with "Coconut Roti", a coconut bread, which is eaten with butter or jam. At lunch, we recommend the "Kottu Roti", a mixture of bread, vegetables, meat or fish, eggs, cheese and of course spices, which is prepared with metal pallets. Just watching the Sri Lankan cooking this dish is an experience in itself. For desert, try the "buffalo curd", a buffalo milk yogurt served with "kitul", a caramel sauce or palm honey.
One sure thing is that on holiday in the Indian Ocean, you will go from discovery to discovery and your taste buds will be delighted wherever you will stop to eat.
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