Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
© Shutterstock
1- Bonbons piments
An aperitif without bonbons piments is not a traditional Reunionese aperitif. These are small spicy fritters made from a batter based on pigeon peas, mixed with spices like chili, onion, turmeric and cumin. The Reunionese have adopted this Indian specialty which is now an institution of Reunionese cuisine. These bonbons piments are accompanied by a sauce that is also spicy. There's never too much chili!
2- Rougail saucisse
Rougail saucisse is an essential dish from Reunion Island. Like bonbons piments, this dish is very spicy! But don't worry, there are also non-spicy versions. This dish is prepared with smoked and spicy Creole sausages, cooked in an equally spicy tomato sauce with onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, thyme and chili. This dish is served with rice, lentils or red beans.
3- Cari poulet
There is no bland dish on Reunion Island. Every plate is colorful, but also spicy. And cari poulet is no exception to the rule. The chicken is marinated in a combination of ingredients and spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, cumin and coriander. It is then cooked with onions, tomatoes and chili. Like rougail saucisse, cari poulet goes perfectly with white rice.
4- Bonbons bananes
Promise, this time there's no chili! Bananas are cut into thin slices before being deep-fried until golden. The bonbons bananes are then dipped in cane sugar syrup before being flavored with vanilla or cinnamon.
5- Ti jacques boucané
Ti jacques boucané is a concentrate of ingredients and spices much appreciated by locals. The main element for making this dish is the ti jacques (or jackfruit). This tropical fruit originally from India is very particular. In addition to growing directly on the trunk or branches, its smell can be off-putting. Once well ripened, the ti jacques is smoked. It is then cut into slices and simmered with spices, garlic, onions, thyme and ginger. Ti jacques boucané is served with rice.
6- Duck with vanilla
Reunion Island is renowned for its quality vanilla. It is one of the best vanillas in the world along with those from Madagascar and Comoros. Vanilla is not only used for sweet purposes as we are used to finding it in mainland France. This delicious dish consists of duck pieces simmered in a vanilla-scented sauce. The duck is accompanied by several spices including ginger, turmeric, chili and garlic, which gives a very tasty contrast between the sweetness of vanilla and the spicy side of the spices. Like all meals, vanilla duck is served with rice.
7- Bouchons
Reunionese bouchons are small meat bites that delight the taste buds during an aperitif. This dish is inspired by Chinese cuisine, but the Reunionese have made it their own to make it one of the island's favorite appetizers. It consists of a filling with minced pork, garlic, onions and aromatic herbs. This filling is wrapped in a thin dough before being either steamed or fried. To accompany the bouchons, there's nothing better than a good spicy sauce.
8- Cabri massalé
On Reunion Island, a cabri refers to a goat. This dish is composed from a multitude of spices making this dish very flavorful. It is specifically goat meat mixed with garlic, turmeric, ginger, chili and massalé. Massalé is a Reunionese spice powder composed of cumin, mustard seeds, coriander and fenugreek (an aromatic plant). The meat is simmered with onions and tomatoes before being served with rice and the famous rougail sauce to add even more flavors.
9- Rhum arrangé
As a true symbol of Reunionese gastronomy, rhum arrangé is renowned worldwide. It is appreciated as much at aperitif time as at digestif time. This delicious alcoholic beverage is obtained by macerating fresh fruits like pineapple or mango, spices and aromatic herbs in white rum for several months. There are a multitude of varieties, making each rum unique. Given its popularity, you shouldn't have any trouble finding some.
10- Cilaos wine
Cilaos wine is the first European wine to be produced in the southern hemisphere. The vineyards are located in the heart of the Cilaos cirque. The volcanic soil, rich in minerals, makes the land suitable for viticulture and allows the production of exceptional wine. Cilaos wines differ from so-called "traditional" wines by their very fruity taste. There are passion fruit wines, pineapple, lychee and many others.