As with any culture, food plays a massive part of day to day life. Fijians of Indian Descent have a varied diet that incorporates classic Indian standards but also a range of other dishes based on available local produce and tastes.

Here’s a short video explaining the unique Indo-Fijian diet, incorporating a wide variety of local ingredients into Indian influenced cuisine…

As Fiji’s population of Indian descent travelled from various parts of India to Fiji in the indentured labour system, they brought with them multiple traditions, from different religious traditions to dietary variation. Because of this, the Indo-Fijian palate is a combination of multiple influences, from India, around the world, and with the existing Indigenous Fijian cuisine.

Dishes had to be tailored due to the accessibility of ingredients in Fiji (as being very different to those in India) but in general, many dishes have been replicated in Fiji as well as inspired new favourites as well.

Due to trade and Fiji being a British Colony at the time of the first Indian arrivals to Fiji, familiar spices were readily available and were entirely new to the diet of Fiji. The labourers on the plantations would access these spices and incorporate them into meals, turning relatively bland ingredients into delicious food. But the base ingredients of favourite dishes would have to shift based on environment.

One of those changes was the abundance of the access to the ocean, which may be different for certain regions of India. Seafood has found a staple place in the authentic recipes of the Indo-Fijian community as well as island ingredients used more frequently: coconut, citrus fruits and vegetables that also feature in the Indigenous Fijian diet.

Meat is more of a rarity as a resource in Fiji and is less incorporated in dishes unless for a fancy occasion. Chicken and goat are the preferred meats when the occasion arises though.

Below are some staple authentic Indo-Fijian recipes that you can try at home, you can see the ingredients in the list and the influences that lead to the dish becoming what it is now.

If you’d like to end with a Fijian dessert, check out some classic examples that can be found across Fiji.