The Most Popular Food in French Guiana, Ranked

Choose the food you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:37
In the heart of South America, the cuisine of French Guiana captures a blend of French, Creole, and Amazonian influences. Knowing the most popular foods among locals and tourists alike can greatly enhance culinary experiences and travel plans. As tastes and preferences evolve, staying updated with the regional favorites helps food enthusiasts and visitors make informed choices when sampling the local fare. This dynamic list, shaped by your votes, reflects current culinary trends and community favorites in French Guiana. By participating, you contribute to a real-time snapshot of what's hot in the local food scene. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, your input is crucial in painting a true picture of the gastronomic delights that French Guiana has to offer.

What Is the Most Popular Food in French Guiana?

  1. 1
    66
    votes
    Accras is a popular appetizer made of salted cod, flour, and spices, deep-fried in oil.
    Accras is a popular food in French Guiana that is essentially deep-fried fritters made from salted codfish, flour, and various herbs and spices. It is typically served as a snack or appetizer.
    • Main Ingredients: Salted codfish, flour, herbs, and spices
    • Cooking Method: Deep-fried
    • Texture: Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
    • Shape: Small rounded fritters
    • Flavor: Savory and slightly spicy
  2. 2
    35
    votes
    Poulet Boucané is smoked chicken marinated in a spicy sauce and grilled.
    Poulet Boucané is a traditional dish from French Guiana that is widely popular. It consists of smoked and spiced chicken, which is cooked over a barbecue or grill. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices like thyme, garlic, onion, black pepper, and hot chili peppers, giving it a smoky and flavorful taste. The slow smoking process gives the chicken a tender and juicy texture, while the spices add a delicious kick to the dish.
    • Preparation Time: 24 hours
    • Cooking Time: 2-3 hours
    • Main Ingredients: Chicken, thyme, garlic, onion, black pepper, hot chili peppers
    • Cooking Method: Barbecue or grill
    • Flavor Profile: Smoky, spicy
  3. 3
    33
    votes
    Matoutou is a traditional dish made with crab meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices, cooked in coconut milk.
    Matoutou is a traditional dish from French Guiana, often enjoyed during the Easter season. It is a savory crab-based dish with a rich and flavorful taste.
    • Main ingredient: Crab
    • Other ingredients: Onions, garlic, tomatoes, spices (such as thyme, parsley, and clove)
    • Cooking method: Stir-frying and simmering
    • Accompaniments: White rice or rice and peas
    • Flavor profile: Savory, rich, and aromatic
  4. 4
    18
    votes
    Calou is a stew made with cassava, meat or fish, vegetables, and spices.
    Calou is a traditional dish from French Guiana, known for its rich flavors and unique combination of ingredients. It is a hearty stew that reflects the cultural diversity of the region.
    • Ingredients: Calou typically includes a variety of proteins such as beef, pork, chicken, or fish, along with vegetables like okra, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and onions. It is seasoned with a blend of local spices and herbs.
    • Preparation: The dish is prepared by slow cooking the ingredients together in a large pot or Dutch oven. This allows the flavors to meld and the ingredients to become tender, resulting in a thick and flavorful stew.
    • Serving: Calou is often served with a side of rice or manioc and accompanied by a salad or pickled vegetables. It is a communal dish, enjoyed by family and friends during special occasions or gatherings.
    • Cultural Significance: Calou is not only a delicious meal but also holds cultural significance in French Guiana. It represents the blending of different culinary traditions brought by indigenous, African, European, and Asian communities.
    • Nutritional Value: Calou is a nutritious dish, providing a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins from the various ingredients. It is a fulfilling meal that can keep you energized.
  5. 5
    11
    votes
    Colombo is a curry made with chicken, beef or fish, and a blend of spices, often served with rice or roti.
    Colombo is the vibrant capital city of Sri Lanka, situated on the western coast of the island. It serves as the commercial and financial hub of the country, offering a blend of colonial charm and modern city life. The city is known for its diverse culture, bustling markets, historic landmarks, and beautiful coastal areas.
    • Transportation: Major transportation hub with an international airport
    • Culture: A diverse mix of cultures and religions
    • Location: Western coast of Sri Lanka
    • Population: Approximately 5.6 million
    • Area: 37.31 square kilometers
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Cari Maroni is a spicy curry made with a fruit similar to lychee, meat, and spices.
    Cari Maroni is a traditional dish from French Guiana that reflects the multicultural influences of the region. It is a flavorful stew made with maroni, also known as chestnuts, and a variety of ingredients including meat, vegetables, and spices. The dish is typically slow-cooked to develop rich flavors and tender textures.
    • Main Ingredients: Maroni (Chestnuts), meat (such as chicken, beef, or pork), vegetables (like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers), spices.
    • Cooking Method: Slow-cooked stew
    • Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and aromatic
    • Cultural Influences: Native American, African, European, and Asian
    • Serving Style: Often served with rice or cassava bread
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    Saka-Saka is a dish made with cassava leaves, meat, and spices, often served with rice.
    Saka-Saka is a popular traditional dish in French Guiana, a French overseas territory located in South America. It is a flavorful and nutritious stew made with fish, meat, or chicken and various leafy greens. The dish is deeply rooted in the culinary heritage of the local Creole population and is enjoyed by both residents and visitors of the region.
    • Main Ingredients: Fish, meat, or chicken; leafy greens
    • Cooking Method: Simmering or stewing
    • Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and aromatic
    • Seasonings: Onions, garlic, thyme, hot peppers
    • Leafy Greens: Traditionally made with cassava leaves, spinach, or amaranth leaves
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    Crabes farcis
    TexMexlover · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Crabes farcis is stuffed crabs with a mixture of crab meat, bread crumbs, and spices.
    Crabes farcis is a traditional dish from French Guiana, widely popular for its unique combination of flavors and textures. It consists of stuffed land crabs, carefully prepared and seasoned with a variety of local ingredients.
    • Preparation method: Crabs are cleaned, and their shells are partially removed. The meat is extracted and mixed with a flavorful filling made of herbs, spices, breadcrumbs, and sometimes regional ingredients like cassava or plantains. The mixture is then stuffed back into the crab shell.
    • Cooking method: The stuffed crabs are typically baked or grilled until they acquire a golden brown crust.
    • Ingredients: Crabs, herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and cilantro), spices (such as black pepper and paprika), breadcrumbs, cassava or plantains (optional)
    • Texture: Crunchy on the outside due to the crust and tender on the inside from the flavorful crab meat.
    • Flavors: Crabs farcis have a rich and savory taste, with a combination of herbal notes from the fresh herbs and a hint of spiciness from the spices.
  9. 9
    1
    votes
    Pimentade is a spicy sauce made with chilies, vinegar, and spices, used as a condiment for meat or fish dishes.
    Pimentade is a popular traditional dish in French Guiana, a territory located on the northeastern coast of South America. It is a spicy stew that reflects the rich culinary heritage of the region, combining flavors and influences from African, European, and Indigenous cuisines. Pimentade is known for its vibrant red color and fiery taste, making it a favorite among locals and visitors who enjoy spicy food. The creator of Pimentade is unknown, as it is a dish that has been passed down through generations.
    • Spiciness: Extremely spicy
    • Main ingredients: Hot chili peppers, meat (commonly chicken or pork), onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices
    • Preparation method: The meat is marinated in a spicy mixture and then cooked with the other ingredients until it forms a thick, flavorful stew.
    • Serving style: Often served with rice or bread to help balance the spiciness.
    • Cultural significance: Pimentade is deeply rooted in the cultural identity of French Guiana, representing the fusion of different culinary traditions.
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    Bouillon d’awara
    PouLagwiyann · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Bouillon d’awara is a soup made with awara fruit, meat, and vegetables, often served with cassava bread.
    Bouillon d’awara is a traditional dish from French Guiana in South America. It is a hearty soup made from the fruit of the awara tree, which is native to the region. The dish is well-loved for its rich and flavorful taste, often described as a combination of sweet, tangy, and slightly bitter flavors.
    • Main Ingredient: Awara fruit
    • Preparation: The awara fruit is boiled and then mashed to create a thick puree. It is then combined with various ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and spices to create a flavorful soup.
    • Meat Choices: Common meat choices for Bouillon d’awara include chicken, beef, or fish. Each meat adds a unique taste to the dish.
    • Vegetables: Typically, the soup contains a variety of vegetables such as okra, pumpkin, cassava, and eggplant.
    • Spices: The dish is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, including garlic, onion, thyme, and parsley, which enhance its flavor.

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Ranking factors for popular food

  1. Taste preferences
    The food should cater to the taste preferences of French Guianese people, taking into account the influence of various cultures such as Creole, French, Amerindian, and other immigrant groups.
  2. Cultural and historical significance
    Food that has a strong cultural or historical connection to French Guiana and its people will likely be more popular.
  3. Nutritional value
    Favorable food options are those that provide balanced nutrition, contributing to the overall health of the consumers.
  4. Influence from neighboring countries and regions
    French Guiana is located in South America, with Brazil and Suriname as its neighbors. Therefore, popular dishes may be influenced by the neighboring countries' culinary traditions.
  5. Local adaptations of international dishes
    French Guianese cuisine may include popular dishes from other countries, but these dishes could be adapted to local tastes and ingredients.
  6. Traditions within different communities
    French Guiana is a diverse territory with various ethnic groups residing there. Therefore, the popularity of a dish may differ within these communities.
  7. Social media and food trends
    In contemporary times, social media platforms and food trends can shape the popularity of a dish in any region, including French Guiana.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in French Guiana. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2276 views
  • 189 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular food in french guiana

French Guiana, a department of France located on the northern coast of South America, is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Its cuisine is heavily influenced by its indigenous Amerindian, African, and European roots. Due to its location near the Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean, the food in French Guiana is diverse and flavorful. One of the most popular dishes in French Guiana is called "blaff," a seafood stew made with fish, shrimp, or crab, cooked in a spicy broth of garlic, onions, and herbs. Another popular dish is "cassave," a type of bread made from the cassava root, which is often served with meat, fish, or vegetables. However, when it comes to the most popular food in French Guiana, it is hard to ignore the influence of French cuisine. French pastries, bread, and wine are widely consumed in this region. Additionally, the traditional French dish "cassoulet," a bean and meat stew, has become a local favorite. Overall, the food in French Guiana is a unique blend of indigenous, African, European, and Caribbean influences, resulting in a diverse and delicious cuisine that is not to be missed.

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