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What to eat in French Polynesia? Top 4 French Polynesian Seafood Dishes

Last update: Fri Mar 21 2025
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01

Saltwater Fish Dish

TAHITI, French Polynesia
3.4
Poisson cru
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Poisson cru is a Tahitian national dish that consists of raw tuna, lime juice, various vegetables, and coconut milk. It is also known as ia ota or e'ia ota, which means raw fish. The dish is prepared by briefly marinating tuna in lime juice, and then coconut milk is added to mellow its acidity.


For a more authentic dish, fresh coconut meat is wrapped in cloth, and the milky juice is then squeezed over the fish and vegetables. Poisson cru is sweet, refreshing, and exotic, and can be found almost anywhere in Tahiti.

MOST ICONIC Poisson cru

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02

Saltwater Fish Dish

TAHITI, French Polynesia
n/a
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Fafaru is a traditional and unusual Polynesian dish. It is distinctive because of its intense aroma of rotten fish. Crushed shrimps are marinated in a glass jar filled with seawater, preferably under the sun, for two or three days. The mixture is filtered, and tuna slices are left in the liquid to ferment for three to eight hours, depending on the desired flavor.


Contrary to its strong smell, fafaru has a slightly sweetish, soft taste. It is best served with bottled mitihue, which is a fermented coconut milk product.

03

Clam Dish

TAHITI, French Polynesia
n/a
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The Pahua taioro is an exquisite Tahitian dish that can be based on clams (pahua) soaked in fresh water for a few hours before being combined with taioro, a condiment made by fermenting almonds, grated coconut, seawater, and shrimps.


In the end, garlic, onions, salt, and pepper are added. This dish should be served at room temperature.

04
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Chevrettes à la vanille et coco or shrimp in coconut-vanilla sauce is a dish specific for the Tahitian cuisine. This highly nutritious appetizer consists of peeled and deveined shrimps, oil, sliced Tahitian vanilla beans, coconut milk, rum, cream, salt, and black pepper.


Shrimps can be replaced with fish or chicken, and the dish is best served with rice or spinach on the side.

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French Polynesian Seafood Dishes