Culinary Traditions of Mauritius

Mauritius is not only a feast for the eyes but the palate as well. The fantastic mix of cultures creates an amazing blend of culinary traditions. Mauritian food originates from 3 continents, so do try different cuisines everyday. The Mauritian local cuisine is a mix of Creole, Chinese, European, African and Indian. While you are there, you must try the Creole curry which is quite spicy. The curry can be made with fish, beef or chicken and eaten with rice. Also must haves are the Dholl puri, farata, gateaux piments and samosas. You can either have the Mauritian versions of the foods or you can have the individual specialities of the Muslims, Europeans, Indians or Chinese. Most basic and common ingredients of Mauritian recipes are tomatoes, ginger, garlic, onions and chillies. Spices too form an exclusive part of their recipes. If you are a lover of seafood, since it is an island, you will surely be delighted at the variety. Favourites among travellers and locals include dishes made with shrimps, crabs, crayfish, prawns and oysters. Camarons in hot prawn, venison, octopus, gateaux piments, chilli cakes are some of the Mauritian delicacies.

 

European

Mauritian ties to the French culture through history have left a very French style “savoir vivre”. French dishes like Daube de Poisson, Langouste a la Creole, Curry de Cerf, gratin de coeur de palmiste, boulettes, Civet de lièvre, Rougaille Poisson Sale are popular and to be enjoyed with good French wine and exotic fruits.

 

Indian

The Indian workers who migrated from different parts of India brought with them their own traditions. Rice and roti or chapattis, spices like cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, accompaniments like achaars or pickles and chutneys were introduced in Mauritius. Daals, vegetables and beans was also used by them extensively. Biryani from the Moghul origins is a dish prepared by the Muslim community with meat, potatoes and spicy rice. Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy have become the fish n chips of Mauritius.

 

Chinese

The end of the 19th century saw Chinese migrants mostly from the South East part of China, Cantonese region. The dishes appeal to the senses through colour, shape, aroma and taste. Even though the Chinese community is the smallest, as such it has more then conquered the tables of all other cuisines. Chinese food is available in most restaurants on the island. Fried noodles, rice, chopsuey, crab soup, sweet and sour fish, spring rolls are eaten by everyone. Delicacies like shark fin or Abalone soup are also available, but in some specialized restaurants only.

 

Creole

The Mauritian Creole cuisine is a mix of all. A blend of ingredients and flavours. Along the years each group of people has adapted and assorted each other's cuisine to their liking, which resulted in a Mauritian cuisine that brings to the front the cultural richness of the pluri-ethnical Mauritian society. The ever present Creole Rougaille is served with a number of pickles and daal or rice of Indian origin. Fast food too has made its mark and Pizzas, burgers, chips are available everywhere on the island. Apart from the Creole curry, one must try the Dholl puri with a glass of Alouda or tamarind juice, which truly gives you a taste of Mauritius. Local chilli preparations are very hot and spicy, so be careful.

 

Grand Baie and Pereybere are the center of the island’s nightlife, with bars offering live music, and with many restaurants and nightclubs. Port Louis has mainly restaurants and bars. Rivière Noire is a Creole fishermen’s district where Sega dancing is especially lively on Saturday nights. Gamblers are lavishly catered for, casinos are among the island’s attractions.The cuisine of Mauritius is a testament to the influence of the culinary ethnicity of France, India, China and Africa that the people of Mauritius have incorporated with their local fruits, vegetables and other ingredients. The cuisine of Mauritius, with its variety of flavors and aromas are certainly a gastronomic delight. It is said that a typical day in Mauritius starts with a Continental breakfast, continues with a Chinese lunch, and ends with an Indian dinner along with some French wine. It is clear that the Mauritian cuisine today, reflects the cultural richness of the Mauritian society.