My last meal before leaving the U.S. was my mother's oxtail, and my 1st meal in Fiji was oxtail. That was the first sign that the food here resembled cuisine from the Caribbean; however, it has a different flavor. Some of the standout dishes I've had include: pork belly valolo, a cassava cheesecake, rice and chicken, and Kokoda twice. Kokoda is Fiji's national dish, and I must say, as someone who isn't big on fish, my tastebuds have been pleasantly delighted! I can't wait to tell everybody about Kokoda, and when family and friends come to visit, that's the first thing I'll have them try.
I tried Kokoda, the national dish of Fiji. This is a salad of sorts and is similar to ceviche or poke. It's pronounced "Ko-Kon-Da".
It was exhilarating! The only disappointment was that it finished so quickly. My tastebuds were definitely activated. I love coconut, and the fish comes in a coconut milk sauce flavored with onions, tomatoes, and peppers. There is also a heavy hint of lime. Kokoda is a medley of all the flavors I love--all except ginger. Perhaps when I make kokoda, I will add a hint of ginger to my version.
