It’s believed that everyone is excited to try new foods and that everyone enjoys eating. Aside from its pristine white sand beaches and opulent resorts offering breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains, Mauritius is widely renowned for its extensive selection of street cuisine that tantalises the senses and draws large crowds.
Here is a selection of some of the delicious street food options in Mauritius that are sure to make your mouth water:
1. Dholl Puri
It would be very accurate to state that Dholl Puri is a strong contender to be considered Mauritius’ national dish. It bears a striking resemblance to the Indian flatbread known as “Paratha.” The Mauritian twist consists of placing yellow split peas, or chana dal, within the flatbread and colouring the dough with a sprinkle of turmeric before deep-frying it in oil. This famous street food of Mauritius is best enjoyed with chutneys, mixed pickles, or chilli paste.
2. Mauritian Curry
Indian cuisine had a significant effect on a large number of Mauritius cuisines. The curry from Mauritius tastes different from the Indian version. Both types have a similar curry base made of onion, garlic, turmeric, and curry leaves. The tomato-based Mauritian Creole stew is often served with rice or flatbread, accompanied with a variety of chutneys and lentils (dal). Among foodies, the Mauritian curries of duck and octopus are also well-known.
3. Vanilla Tea
Black tea is produced in the southern region of Mauritius. The Mauritian Vanilla tea is a blend of black tea, vanilla, and a Sri Lankan tea type. Enjoy the revitalizing cup of tea with delectable snacks like papaya pannacotta or tea-infused products.
4. Anana Confit
You can get this delectable and irresistible delicacy anywhere on the island. Victoria This is made using pineapples; first, the skins are removed, then the pineapples are chopped and then huge knives are used to carve a sophisticated pattern out of them. After that, the pieces are placed in a bag with some chilies, a sweet tamarind sauce, a little salt, and mild spices to improve the flavour. Summer is the ideal season to try this sweet, tangy, and spicy street cuisine from Mauritius.
5. Gateaux Piment
Another popular street meal in Mauritius is Gateaux Piment, sometimes referred to as chili cakes. It is similar to Mauritian falafel, with the exception that the Mauritian falafel is created with chana dal, or yellow split peas, which are soaked for a whole night before being crushed into a pasty texture, combined with onions, chilies, and turmeric, then deep-fried to give crunch. With some butter and spicy sauce, it pairs well with the soft Mauritian baguette. Gateaux Piment is perfect for lunch, and sometimes even for morning.
6. Gajaks
A popular Indian street dish in Mauritius, Gajaks are a mix of samosas, bhajis, and fritters prepared with chickpea flour, exotic spices, and chilies that are deep-fried to a glossy golden color. Most often, you’ll find rows of kiosks offering Gajaks in the markets, where both residents and visitors may be seen stopping for a bite to eat as they buy to avoid the weariness. Gajaks are served with drinks and beverages.
7. Min Frite
The thriving Chinese minority in Mauritius is responsible for the local dish known as min frite. The noodles are often made from yellow wheat, which naturally gives them a brilliant yellow color. They are then cooked with a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, pumpkin leaves, and any other vegetable that the customer requests. Min Frite is sold by street sellers in the marketplace together with some chilli paste and garlic sauce.
8. Biryani
Whether in Mauritius or India, a street food menu wouldn’t be complete without biryani. The traditional celebratory food, which the Indo-Muslim minority brought to Mauritius, is widely available on the island and is served straight out of large cooking pots with chutneys, pickles, and chilies. It is a rice-based cuisine that is enhanced further by the addition of chicken, mutton, potatoes, peas, cashews, raisins, fried onions, and traditional spices like saffron. The cooking pots act as a seal to keep the fragrant and moist fluffy rice biryani intact.
9. Taro Fritters
These delicious deep-fried balls made from grated taro root vegetable are a mainstay of Mauritius and can be found at the island’s street markets. Chili tomato sauce is drizzled over the shredded taro after it has been combined with ginger, salt, and spices. They are the ideal side dish for a cup of hot tea since they are juicy on the inside and crispy on the surface.
10. Alouda
Inspired by the Indian beverage Falooda, the traditional sweet drink of Mauritius is made in Port Louis, the island’s capital. The main ingredients are milk, a variety of flavoring and coloring syrups, and other ingredients including cashews, crushed almonds, sweet basil seeds, and agar-agar for texture. Lastly, crushed ice turns this sweet beverage into a cool, refreshing treat after a long, hot day at the market.
11. Gateau Patates
Another popular street dish in Mauritius is “Gateau Patates”, sometimes known as “sweet potato cakes”. It is a tasty, light dessert that is perfect for any time of day. A simple concoction of cardamom, shredded coconut, flour, and boiling sweet potatoes is formed into a dough, shaped into little spheres, and then deep-fried to give it a golden hue. The street seller fries them right away, and when they are served with a drink, the flavour pops even more.
12. Coconut Water
Coconut water is another cool drink on the street that may be found in large quantities in Mauritius’s marketplaces. Before feeding the clients, large, green coconuts are cut open at the top and a straw is inserted. People may opt to take it around and wander about or stand and finish it; drinking while shopping helps people’s heads chill down more quickly.
It’s a pleasure to visit Mauritius since there’s no need to worry about where to locate good cuisine to eat. If you’re not in the mood to eat in a restaurant, the most convenient choice is to take advantage of the multitude of sellers offering street food from Mauritius, which includes a wide variety of snacks, sweets, and beverages. So be sure not to pass up these delicious street foods while you’re in Mauritius!