The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Mauritian Food
Mauritian cuisine is a rich fusion of flavors influenced by the island’s diverse cultural heritage, including Indian, African, Chinese, and French cuisines. Four of the five countries with the most similar food to Mauritius also border the Indian Ocean. In addition, a significant portion of the people in all five countries have South Asian ancestry.
- Qatar and Mauritius have populations composed of people from various cultural backgrounds. More than 50 percent of the people living in these countries has South Asian ancestry. Rice and flatbreads are staple foods in both countries. Given their coastal locations, these nations have access to a variety of fresh seafood. Dishes featuring fish, shrimp, crab, and other seafood are enjoyed in both cuisines.
- Seychelles is another island nation in the Indian Ocean. Both cuisines have strong Creole influences, resulting from the blending of African, European, and Indian culinary traditions. Coconut is a prominent ingredient in the dishes of both nations. Tropical fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, and bananas are also abundant.
- Bahrain and Mauritius, although geographically distant, do share some culinary similarities. While bread is more commonly associated with Bahraini cuisine, Mauritius also has its own versions of flatbreads such as roti and dhal puri, which are influenced by Indian culinary traditions. These islands also love to consume seafood.
- Trinidad & Tobago is in the Caribbean Sea, but its demographics and history have a lot in common with Trinidad and Tobago. In both countries, about half of the population has African ancestry, while the other half has Indian ancestry. The Indian cultural influence plays a significant role in their cuisines. As a result, curries are popular in both countries. Dholl Puri, a flatbread stuffed with lentils, is similar to Trinidad’s street food, Doubles.
- United Arab Emirates is yet another country on the Arabian peninsula on this list. It is another nation with a huge amount of people from South Asia. Rice is a staple food in both the UAE and Mauritius. Emirati cuisine may feature spices commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking such as cumin, coriander, saffron, and cinnamon, while Mauritian cuisine may include Indian spices like turmeric, cardamom.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Mauritius
The Least Similar Cuisines to Mauritian Food
Interestingly enough, the five countries with the least similar food to Mauritius are all located in Africa. Four of the five nations are landlocked. Like Mauritius, four of the five have French as one of their official languages. However, food in Mauritius is more diversified, since it has European and Indian influences.
- Chad is a predominately Muslim country in Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains in the country. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel’s harsh climate. One popular dish is saka-saka, a mix of spinach and cassava leaves.
- Central African Republic is another former French colony in the middle of Africa. The majority of the country’s diet is based on cassava and yams. Bananas and plantains are also an extremely common source of food in the country.
- South Sudan borders Central African Republic. Cassava is the nation’s staple food. Sorghum is a large part of the country’s diet too. Porridge is one of its most popular dishes. Chicken meat is less commonly consumed there compared to Mauritius.
- Burundi is another landlocked country located in the tropical regions of Africa. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas. Very little rice and wheat is eaten in Burundi as well, compared to Mauritius.
- Democratic Republic of Congo is another French-speaking country on this list. Cassava is the dominant staple food in the country, unlike in Mauritius, where wheat and rice are more prevalent. Freshwater fish is also more often eaten in Congo than in Mauritius.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Mauritius
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Mauritius’ Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Pineapple, Banana
Vegetable: Tomato, Pumpkin
Starch: Wheat, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.