Dining in Mauritius is Delicious! May 3, 2023
If you wish to discover the culture of Mauritius, you should immerse yourself in the richness of its gastronomy. Incorporating Indian, French, Chinese, and African influences, Mauritian cuisine is one of the most unique fusions of flavors in the world.
Rougaille
Rougaille is a classic Mauritian stew consisting of a tomato-based sauce that is enriched with spices such as ginger, chilies, coriander, onions, or curry leaves. The dish is extremely versatile, so once the sauce is prepared, fish, meat, seafood, or vegetables can be added to it, depending on personal preferences.
Dholl Puri
Dholl puri is the most popular street food item on the island. It’s a small, pan-fried, stuffed flatbread filled with anything from rougaille to chutneys and kheer rice pudding. The dish is consumed throughout the day, either for lunch or as a snack.
Curry Jacques
Curry Jacques is a curry that originated from the island. It’s made with jackfruit as the main ingredient, hence the name. Other ingredients for the curry often include potatoes, onions, coriander, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and curry leaves.
Daube de Poulet
Daube de poulet is a popular Mauritian dish with French origins, consisting of chicken that is fried with various spices, ginger, onions, and garlic. The meat is then stewed in a rich tomato sauce with chilis. Originally, French settlers brought the classic daube dish with them to Mauritius, and over time, the locals substituted beef with chicken.
Bol Renversé
Bol Renversé: This Creole dish translates as ‘upside-down bowl.’ It’s a theatrical Sino-Mauritian dish that is found on Chinese restaurant menus and in cafés dotted across the island. The theatrics come in the unveiling of the perfect dome of rice, topped with chicken and vegetables in a soy and oyster sauce, which is then crowned with a runny-yolk fried egg.
Hakien
Hakien is another traditional Mauritian dish consisting of a batter-dipped, deep-fried flour dough wrapper filled with ingredients such as pork, prawns, vegetables, or chicken. Due to similarities with the famous Chinese spring rolls, it is safe to say that hakien was influenced by Chinese cuisine.