The food in Fiji is, like the rest of the nation, rich with culture. With hearty flavors often served to diners in the buffet style, traditional Fijian food regularly employs the use of fish, coconut, and rice to build unique and exquisite dishes, but some foods stand alone and truly convey the essence of Fiji. In locations such as the Yasawa Islands or Mamanuca Islands, you will find amazing local foods.
Kokoda
Kokoda is a traditional Fijian dish with a beautifully colored presentation that brings out the flavor of the island. Using a white fish like mahi mahi, the cook will cube the fish and soak it for hours in freshly squeezed lime juice, giving the fish a nice citrus flavor. When the fish is chilled, the cook will add vegetables, usually chopped onions, green chili peppers, tomatoes, and carrots into a heavy coconut cream for a thick texture. For any visitor to Fiji, Kokoda is the dish to try.
Fijian Curry
Cooked with the meat of a goat, Fijian curry is a dish unique to the island. Occasionally, Fijian curry is made with other meat like lamb, but goat is preferable in traditional recipes. Utilizing the flavors of traditional curry like cumin, turmeric, and coriander, Fijian curry is unique because of the different choice of meat, giving it a smooth, rich texture awash with all the flavors of the island. Curry is a unique dish, and Fijian curry truly sets itself apart from other recipes by creating bolder flavors exclusive to the island nation.
Coconut Chutney
Fiji is famous for its curry and no curry dish is complete without coconut chutney. Prepared with freshly grated coconut, cilantro, green chili peppers, lemon juice, and minced ginger, coconut chutney serves as a smooth, mildly spicy accompaniment, off-setting the heat of curry with the rich, full flavor of coconut. No trip to Fiji is complete without a sampling of the local curry, and no Fijian curry is complete without coconut chutney.
Spicy Dhal Soup
Visitors to Fiji will find that spicy dhal soup is a common dish served in almost every Fijian home. Like most Fijian dishes, spicy dhal soup is rich with traditional Fijian flavor. The soup incorporates flavors from lentils, fenugreek and mustard seeds, garlic, green chili peppers, turmeric, curry, onions, and garlic cloves to create a hearty, aromatic soup that soothes the senses. Served hot and flavored with a touch of curry powder and soy sauce, spicy dhal soup is among the dishes visitors to Fiji must try. Why not give it a try while on your Nadi holidays?
Cassava Cake
Cassava cake is a simple Fijian dish with a basic foundation made of grated cassava, a root vegetable used primarily in tropical countries. With one part of fresh coconut milk and one part of fine brown sugar to every five parts of grated cassava, cassava cake is a sweet cake that takes about one hour to bake before serving. Served primarily as a dessert, cassava cake is unique to Fiji because of cassava is neither grown nor imported to most western countries, making it a popular food item for tourists to try during their stay.
