Tahiti is most famously known for its gorgeous natural vistas, blue lagoons and breathtaking beaches, but its culture - and more specifically, its food - is definitely something travelers should experience during their time there.
A blend of traditional Tahitian, French and Chinese cuisine, Tahitian food offers a blend of rich, tropical delicacies. Often dishes consist of coconut, fish or pork. With over 118 different islands and atolls within Tahiti, it's not surprising that fish, lobster, crabs, clams, mussels and other shellfish would be the main features on the menu.
But the Tahitian diet underwent a big change when Europeans and the Chinese arrived, bringing with them their own beloved foods, including sugar, canned goods, coffee, rice, noodles and new vegetables.
Tahitian food also has direct ties to social events. One such gathering is the traditional Tahitian Sunday feast "ahima'a," the food of which is cooked using an underground oven heated by rocks. Ahima'a feasts include pork, taro root, breadfruit, sweet potatoes and Po'e, a fruit puree made with coconut milk and wrapped in a banana leaf.
But one of the best ways to experience the fusion of cultures for yourself is to try Tahiti's street food, either by food tour or just by wandering on your own! Roadside stands, Roulottes (or food trucks), snack shops and more offer a variety of Tahitian, Chinese and European fusions, like poisson cru, pua roti, casse croute, Pai pate or Chao mein.
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