The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Timorese Foods. If you manage to be in an Timorese restaurant or you are visiting East Timor, I recommend the following:
1. Ikan Sabuko
A popular seafood dish found in Timor Leste, it is heavily influenced by Portuguese cuisine and consists of Spanish mackerel marinated in tamarind, pepper and basil that is grilled and served with a traditional sauce known as budu.
2. Caril
It is a delicacy in East Timor. It consists of a mild chicken curry with potatoes and coconut paste. The chicken is cooked in coconut milk along with potatoes and peppers. Unlike other curry dishes in Asia, caril is not too spicy. It is usually served with rice or corn.
3. Cream Cake
Also called ‘Pastel de belen’ and like many dishes in the country, of Portuguese origin. The famous cakes of puff pastry, egg, milk, sugar and the perfect blend of lemon and cinnamon are one of the most popular sweets in East Timor, and are delicious both hot and cold.
4. Tukir
This very popular and much sought-after dish in the region consists of salted meat, either lamb, deer or buffalo slowly roasted over the coals. Like other local main dishes, tukir is usually eaten with rice.
5. Feijoada
Of Brazilian origin, it is a preparation based on beans, black beans or black beans with a variety of meats, sausages and vegetables that make it an explosion for the palate due to the combination of ingredients.
6. Batar Da'an
It is a well-loved vegetarian dish made from pumpkin, corn and mung beans. This is a hearty dish that can easily be a main course on its own. It is both sweet and savory. Mung beans are very popular in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia.
7. Bibinka
This dessert is especially celebrated during the Christmas vacations but remains a popular street food throughout the year. Although the cake is sweet, it is the flavor notes that make this dessert so special.
8. Budu
It is a very popular sauce in Timor Leste that is used as an accompaniment to various local dishes, the favorite for the sauce is Lilino fish. This sauce is made with tomatoes, lemon and onions.
9. Tapai
It is cooked rice with the peculiarity that it is sticky, slightly sweet and somewhat alcoholic and is wrapped in banana leaves. It is considered a delicacy in East Timor.
10. Katupa
Katupa is probably one of the most typical dishes of East Timor. It can be found in all regions of the archipelago. It is a rice cake cooked in coconut milk flavored with saffron, garlic and salt and wrapped in coconut leaves. It is usually served at various festivals, but it is also common to eat every day with neighbors.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.