The taste of Barbados: 4 Bajan dishes you should try when you’re on the island

In the same way that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, the way to a country’s culture is through its food. Tasting your way through a country’s cuisine is a unique– and delicious – opportunity to discover the history and cultural influences of a country.

Barbados is brimming with dishes that are not only mouthwatering, but that tell the story of Bajan people and other nations that have influenced the island’s current cultural and culinary landscape. Popular Bajan dishes take inspiration from places like Africa, Portugal, India and Britain by way of their flavors, cooking techniques, and even ingredients. Barbados has a plethora of staple dishes that are essential to try while on the island. If you’re unsure of what to taste first, here are four dishes to get you started.

Pudding and Souse

This dish is a beloved one by Bajans, so much so, that eating the delicacy is a recurring event on Saturdays. Although its name may suggest otherwise, pudding and souse is a savory dish. “Pudding” refers to sweet potatoes that are mashed and seasoned with onions and savory Bajan spices. “Souse” is pickled pork typically made with cheaper cuts of the pig, such as the tongue, snout, ears, and intestines. The pork is pickled with onion, lime juice, and cucumber, and provides a salty and acidic contrast to the sweet potato mash. The varying flavors and textures make this dish a must-try.

Roti

Roti is a common item found throughout the Caribbean and is an essential dish to sample while in Barbados. The hand-held food item – which borrows from Indian cuisine – starts off with a thin, savory flatbread cooked on a pan. The bread is then utilized as a pocket to stuff savory fillings like chicken, fish, beef, curried potatoes, or vegetables. When you’re roaming the island and want one on the go, make your way to Chefette (a fast-food spot local to Barbados), to get roti in your hands.

Flying fish

As the national fish of Barbados, flying fish isn’t something to pass up while you’re on the island. The thin fish is not only delicious, but versatile. Bajans enjoy it fried, steamed, baked, and even pickled. Much like macaroni and cheese, flying fish and cou cou (a side dish made of cornmeal cooked with okra) are a well-known pair to Bajans.

Macaroni Pie

Barbados’ riff on the classic macaroni and cheese might just rival the original. Bajan macaroni pie still maintains some of the familiar ingredients of mac and cheese – such as macaroni pasta, cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, egg and breadcrumbs – but with the added twist of ketchup, yellow mustard, and onion. While it may not seem like the two condiments would work in the dish, Bajans are clearly on to something quite delicious. As a whole, the slight sweetness and acidity paired with the rich, salty cheese creates a depth of flavor that makes complete sense when it hits your tongue.

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. You can reach Roshae via email at roshaehemmings@detourxp.com.

This story was originally published June 13, 2023 at 1:25 PM with the headline "The taste of Barbados: 4 Bajan dishes you should try when you’re on the island."