Seychellois Cuisine
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It may come as no surprise that the Seychellois cuisine includes a lot of fish and seafood. Fresh fish is available to buy daily in markets around the islands. Among the most popular types of fish are tuna, red snapper, groupers and bonito. Fish is cooked in a variety of ways, including being fried, baked, grilled, salted, in curries, soups, stews and salads.
Although it may sound strange to some, Octopus is a delicacy in Seychelles and a hugely popular dish. This is usually cooked in a curry, salad or grilled and when it’s cooked properly, is absolutely delicious.
The Seychellois love their curries – fish, chicken, beef, lamb. Some of these are relatively mild, while others can be quite spicy. Curries are also sometimes made with coconut milk which gives it a lovely creamy texture.
Main dishes are typically served with rice and a chutney. Papaya, pumpkin and shark chutneys are daily meal accompaniments for most Seychellois families. A lot of the time, some chutneys are mixed with onions and the bilimbi fruit – and chili may be added as well.
Lentils are another major food for Seychellois, along with bouyon bred (spinach soup) and rougay sosis (salted sausage in a rich tomato, onion and garlic sauce).
For those that are a bit more daring, you can try fruit bat? Bats are considered a delicacy in Seychellois cuisine but it’s not to everyone’s liking, due to the tiny bones. Those who have tried it though have likened it to lamb.
A typical Seychellois dessert, ladob, can be made with banana, patat (a kind of sweet potato), breadfruit or yam. These are cooked in coconut milk and makes a delicious, creamy dessert.
Ladob Banane & Patat
Seychellois cuisine, much like its diverse culture and people, contains a wide and unique variety of food. Other dishes worth mentioning include salad palmis (palm heart salad), boudin (black pudding Seychelles style) and breadfruit.
snacks
Snacks are an important addition to any Seychellois party or gathering – and the Seychellois love their parties! A few examples are below:
- Samosas (fish or veg)
- Gato Piman (chili cakes)
- Moulouk (a fried spiced snack)
- Moutay (sweet sticky rice flour snack)
- Banana Chips
- Breadfruit Chips
- Casava Chips
Moutay
Banana Fritters
Samosas
Barbecues are also very popular in Seychelles. As you can imagine, gatherings are usually held outdoors and a barbecue is the perfect option. Much of the time, other dishes are cooked at home and brought to the gathering so that guests can enjoy a full buffet.
Local fruits also play a huge role in any Seychellois diet. We really are blessed when it comes to the sheer amount of exotic tropical fruit readily available. The majority of people will have most of these growing on their property so it’s just a matter of picking when they’re ripe. Mangoes, papayas, starfruit, pineapple, bananas, local apples and oranges, passion fruit, avocados and of course coconuts…
beverages
One of the more traditional drinks enjoyed in Seychelles, albeit more by the older generation, is what is known as ‘kalou’ (palm wine or toddy). This is made from the sap of the coconut palm trees. Once fermented this makes a very popular alcoholic beverage.
Another traditional fermeted alcoholic drink is what is called ‘baka’, which is fermented cane juice.
Seychelles also produces its own beer known as Seybrew. This can be purchased in all the local shops, restaurants and cafes and if you’re a beer drinker, it’s definitely worth a try. I know that a lot of my family members prefer our own Seybrew to other more well-known, international brands.
Seybrew
Let’s not forget all the fruit on our doorsteps, which means fresh juices are always available and always a favourite.
And then of course there’s the famous coconut water, sipped right out of the coconut for that extra tropical feel. This is a must for any visitor to the islands.
Fresh Passion Fruit Juice
Coconut Water Drink
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