Culinary specialties in French Polynesia
Culinary treasures
If you're about to arrive in French Polynesia and are looking to discover in advance the culinary treasures that our region has to offer, prepare for an exceptional tasting experience in this French paradise located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
First of all, it is important to know that Polynesians are great lovers of food and they demonstrate this especially during large banquets called Tamara’a. You will be amazed by the variety of dishes presented to you, especially during traditional Tamara’a, where you can discover the different components of the « ma’a Tahiti ».
Raw fish with coconut milk
During your stay in French Polynesia, you won't be able to miss the famous dish of raw fish in coconut milk, an indispensable specialty of Tahiti. This dish is prepared from cubes of tuna (red or white) or skipjack marinated in lemon juice, garnished with finely sliced onion, tomato, cucumber, garlic, chopped green onions, and homemade coconut milk made from freshly picked coconuts from the garden.
The Fafaru, a traditional dish worth tasting
The « fafaru » is a traditional Polynesian dish that can be difficult to taste for palates not accustomed to it. This dish is prepared by marinating slices of tuna or parrotfish in seawater and crushed shrimp heads, giving it a strong flavor and a pronounced smell. However, for lovers of exotic dishes, the « fafaru » can be an unforgettable culinary experience and a discovery of new flavors. It is often served with taro or cassava bread and green vegetables such as taro leaves or fafa.
The ahima’a, the traditional Polynesian oven
Among the other traditional dishes that make up the ma’a Tahiti, most are prepared in the ahima’a, the traditional Polynesian earth oven dug into the sand or soil. Hot stones are placed at the bottom of the oven to cook various dishes such as pig, fish (mahi mahi, tuna, and other lagoon fish), chicken, crab, fei (plantains), goat, taro, umara (sweet potato), uru (breadfruit), ufi (yam), and fafa (Tahitian spinach).
The ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves and then placed in the oven. Once the dishes are inserted into the ahima'a, everything is covered with banana leaves and sand, and then left to cook slowly for about 4 hours, until the ma’a Tahiti is finally ready.
A dessert made with fruits and Poe
As a dessert, you can enjoy the « poe », a traditional Polynesian dessert made from banana, papaya, or pumpkin puree mixed with starch. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in the Tahitian earth oven until it is nicely golden. This dessert is served with coconut milk and sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
In addition to the « poe », you will have the chance to taste a variety of tropical fruits such as grapefruits, papayas, mangos, bananas, and pineapples, among others, which are commonly grown in French Polynesia. These fresh and juicy fruits are an excellent way to finish a hearty meal on a high note.
A wide variety of fish and seafood
French Polynesia is renowned for its wide variety of fish, offering visitors a unique culinary experience. Fish from the lagoon, tuna (red/white), mahi mahi (common dolphinfish), swordfish, or amberjack are among the most popular fish you can enjoy.
You can enjoy them grilled, cold, as carpaccio, tartare, sashimi, or even sushi. A tip to enhance your grilled fish experience: try it with a vanilla sauce from Taha’a, you won’t be disappointed.
French Polynesia also offers a variety of tempting seafood such as Pahua (breadfruit), Vana (sea urchin), Korori, Lobster, Varo (crab), Kaveu (coconut crab), and Maoa, all sourced from local waters.
In addition to this, you can also taste French cuisine, which highlights local ingredients, as well as Italian, Japanese, and Chinese restaurants that offer a unique culinary experience.
High-quality meats, tender and flavorful
In Tahiti, beef and lamb from New Zealand are of high quality. If you are a meat lover, you will not be disappointed in French Polynesia. Veal hearts skewers are a very popular local dish, but don't let the name put you off. Tahitians enjoy them with mustard or barbecue sauce, and you should try them, as they are really delicious.
It is also possible to find dishes made with pork, which is very present in Polynesian cuisine. Pork is used in many dishes, such as the fafa (taro leaves with pork in a pot), the po’e (baked fruit puree dessert), and the coconut bread (coconut bread with pork and vegetables). Pork is also used to make « ma’a tinito », a traditional Polynesian dish that consists of a whole pig cooked on a spit.
Finally, it is important to note that Polynesian cuisine also uses a wide variety of spices and condiments, such as coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, lime, chili, and vanilla. These ingredients add a unique flavor to the traditional dishes of French Polynesia.
The Asian influence on Polynesian cuisine
Chinese immigrants have long found their place in Polynesian society. Their cuisine is highly appreciated and considered an integral part of the local culinary culture. Chinese cuisine in Tahiti is quite similar to that of Hong Kong, but it has been adapted to the tastes of Tahitians.
Among the dishes to try are the Chinese version of Tahitian raw fish (prepared with a sweet and sour base made of vinegar and sugar instead of coconut milk), chao men (stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and shrimp), lemon chicken, chao chap, lacquered or tamarind duck, mapo tofu, pua taro (pork with taro), and many others.
The Uru, the fruit of the breadfruit tree
If you enjoyed the uru you tasted during your ma’a Tahiti, you can also enjoy it accompanied by « pua’atoro » (corned beef) cooked with finely sliced onions. It's a real treat!
Polynesian-style breakfasts
If you want to enjoy a Polynesian-style breakfast, here are some dishes you might try: Tahitian or Chinese-style raw fish, firi firi (Tahitian fried doughnuts), banana pancakes, Pua Roti, coconut bread, and Asian specialties like chao pao, bouchon, nem, or navet. In French Polynesia, you can find a little of everything in the morning, both sweet and savory.
We hope this introduction has helped you become familiar with the culinary diversity of French Polynesia. Of course, once you're there, you'll discover many other dishes and local products not mentioned in this guide. We wish you a wonderful trip and don't forget to say « Tama’a Maita’i » before enjoying your meal!
Your meals delivered to the Bounty Lodge
To fully enjoy the flavors of Polynesian cuisine, you can have your meals delivered directly to the comfort of your accommodation at the Bounty Lodge.