A thousand flavours

What would Mauritius be without its array of delicious culinary specialities?

Mauritian cuisine is the tasty result of a blend of different cultures. This Creole gastronomy brings together French, Indian, Chinese and African traditions. One thing’s certain, this cultural melting pot delights both Mauritians and tourists, as they stroll through markets or pass by food courts.

Mauritian cuisine is all about spices and tasteful flavours. Mauritian recipes are many and varied, most can be easily reproduced for your taste buds’ greatest pleasure! One of Mauritius’ most popular dish is Briani, a kind of mixed rice with chicken, vegetables and spices, that is skilfully prepared by Mauritians of the Muslim faith. This dish is closely followed by the famous Mine Frit, a delightful bowl of Chinese noodles, with chicken, prawns and vegetables. It’s rather hard to resist this Chinese dish, found on almost all Mauritian restaurants’ menus. Looking for a little snack while at the beach? Even by the sea, street vendors selling mine frit are ready to take your order. Chinese cuisine enthusiast? Let yourself be tempted by a Magic Bowl, also known as an upside-down bowl. As the name suggests, this bowl of rice cooked with an egg is then overturned onto your plate. Chicken, prawns, soy sauce, vegetables, mushrooms or other ingredients can also be added to the dish to make it even more delicious.

Still hungry for more? Don’t worry, Mauritius offers a multitude of other culinary specialities, each tastier than the last! At the Port-Louis market, you’ll be able to taste the alouda, a strawberry, almond or vanilla flavoured drink made with milk. Served cold, with ice cubes and basil seeds, the alouda won’t fail to quench your thirst on a hot summer’s day.

As for the hot roti, it is a snack most Mauritians very much appreciate. Ideal to eat on the go, this Indian pancake cooked on a traditional tawa (a flat, disc-shaped metal pan) is usually filled with white lima beans curry and “rougaille” (a tomato-based sauce), as well as onions and some chilli. The roti is then rolled up into a wrap, which you can simply enjoy!

In Mauritius, you can eat at any time of the day or night. Mauritians love to snack and often enjoy a salty breakfast or some afternoon treats. The dish that best illustrates this mentality is the chilli bite, a sort of falafel made from yellow split peas called dholls. Chilli bites are a real hit when it comes to Mauritian street food!

Last but not least, the poutou. This traditional delicacy made from rice and grated coconut is becoming increasingly rare in Mauritius – if you see some, go for it! You won’t be disappointed!

Thanks to its many cultural influences, Mauritian cuisine is rich and varied – and it’s definitely unique in the world…