What to eat in Tahiti

Are you one of those travellers who love to be immersed in the culture of the destination you are visiting? Do you love to speak with the locals and more importantly sample the local cuisine? If so, here is some advice about what you should eat during your stay in Tahiti. There is something for everyone………..

Fresh seafood

Seafood: you either love it or hate it. In Tahiti fish is a staple in the diet. If you go to a restaurant you will be able to sample all sorts of different fish dishes, for example, mahi mahi, tuna, parrotfish, barracuda and prawns.

Typical dish: Poisson cru

Known as Tahitian lime-marinated tuna in English, this is perhaps the most famous dish on the island. It is raw red tuna marinated in lime juice and coconut milk.

Coconut

Coconut trees are used for anything and everything in Tahiti. You will find coconut water and coconut milk is used for cooking. You cannot avoid sampling something from this tree while in Tahiti. It is even used for beauty treatments.

Typical dish: Chevrettes à la Vanille et Coco

Tahitian shrimp in coconut-vanilla sauce is the name of this dish in English. You may find this made with shrimp, fish or chicken, but it will always be served in a creamy coconut and vanilla sauce.

Banana

Lots of dishes also have banana and you will be able to sample this fruit in ways you would never have imagined.

Traditional dessert: Po’e

Tahitian fruit pudding or Po’e is a popular dessert which is normally eaten after Tahitian tamara’a barbecues.

Taro

Taro is a plant which is loved for its arrow-shaped leaves and starchy root. It is used for both sweet and savoury dishes.

Typical dish: Poulet Fafa

This is a great option for anyone who doesn’t like fish. Poulet fafa or Tahitian chicken with taro leaves in English is traditionally eaten at Tahitian ahima’a or pit barbecues.

Vanilla, banana, coconut and fish are the key ingredients to Tahitian cuisine. Here are a few more dishes you should sample while on holiday in the island.