We understand that some visitors might be a little wary of getting street food that could be ‘strange.’ Yet some of the tastiest treats you’ll ever eat in Mauritius are from our wonderful street vendors.
To help you out, we’ve created a short guide to Mauritian street food. The next time you’re out and about on the island, perhaps feeling a little peckish, you’ll know exactly what to order.
Bon appétit!
The Savory Side of Mauritian Street Food
Our savory food is like Mauritius: varied, influenced by our multiple cultures and (we think) pretty wonderful. Try:
Dhal Puri
This is probably our unofficial national ‘dish.’ We’ll queue for ages for a well-made puri.
The unleavened flatbread is made with a dollop of split peas and cumin, plus the chef’s choice of spices. Add ‘gros pois’ and chili paste: voila. Simply heaven.
Gros Pois
A butter bean curry that we put in puris or ‘rotis.’ It adds a depth of flavor and balances out the spices for a well-rounded snack.
Photo : www.mijorecipes.com
Rotis
Very similar to puris, but flatbread made of wheat flour and then rolled thinly. It can be filled with gros pois, ‘atchars’ or ‘rougaille.’
Photo : www.manjulaskitchen.com
Rougaille
A tomato-based sauce accented with Mauritian spices and flavors.
Photo: www.thecutlerychronicles.com
Atchars
We love a mixture of pickled veg and have it with many of our dishes as an accompaniment or as part of the filling.
Photo: sarahsorientalwesternrecipes.blogspot.com
Boulettes
This is a Mauritian take on the Chinese classic of steamed dumplings. You can choose from many different fillings.
Photos: www.recette-ile-maurice.com
Briyanis
It’s a Muslim specialty of plain-looking but extremely tasty rice. Lamb, seafood, chicken or vegetable- with lentils- are usually among the choices.
Photo: alteatscolumbus.com
Di Pain Frire
Another Mauritian favorite, it’s literally ‘fried bread.’ The bread is dipped in a spicy batter and then it’s deep fried to a golden brown. It should be eaten hot!
Photos : mauritius.genosy.com
Gato Arouille
We have a lot of fritters (‘gateaux’), but if you’re looking for savory this is perfect. Yam root fritters with either chutney or our chili sauce.
Pin on : http://www.pinterest.com/pin/253468285247994071/
Note* Mazavaroo paste (green chili paste) is eaten with nearly everything: Indian, Chinese and Creole food. It’s delicious, but be a bit careful if you aren’t huge on spices.
The Sweet Side of Mauritian Street Food
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re definitely on the right exotic island! We adore our sweets. Just a few of our favorites:
Piaws
These are for die-hard sweets fans. They’re donuts that are then lightly daubed in syrup. Really yummy.
Photo: inspiredtobake.wordpress.com
Gato Banane
Banana is one of the many sweet fritters you can choose from.
Photo: cuisinemaurice.overblog.com
Pineapples
We know you know pineapples. But we eat them a little differently- we add some chili flakes and sea salt- which counters the super sweetness of our pineapple.
Photo: http://dieta.ge
Fresh Fruit
It’s a refreshing treat, mixed fruit with shaved ice and a special syrup. Great on hot days.
And don’t forget to try some fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice or rhum when you’re feeling parched!
Photo : travelunmasked.com
Tip* The best days to try a smattering of various street food: Wednesdays and Sundays, when the stalls are all open.
That’s our short guide to Mauritian street food. We hope it helps you navigate your way through some delicious discoveries! If you’re in the mood for a dining experience, check out our suggestions for restaurants.
What about your favorite Mauritian street food? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
Until later, adieu from Ido Productions