Fiji Food: Restaurant Refresh

Suva’s leading restaurant Eden has always offered a kaleidoscope of flavours from all around the South Pacific region. Specialising in Indo-Fijian favourites along with dishes from Samoa, Vanuatu and beyond owner Sangeeta Maharaj says she is constantly training and traveling to keep her menus fresh and up to date with the latest trends.

In keeping with that, Sangeeta recently invited a chef from Thailand’s renowned Blue Elephant to come to Suva and train her and her chefs in authentic Thai cooking.

Visiting Chef Chay spent a week in Eden’s kitchen introducing and refining the team’s skills in Thai cooking but learnt from the team also about using local Fijian ingredients to enhance cooking

Sangeeta visits the Suva markets early every Saturday to get the freshest catch, most aromatic spices and crunchy vegetables to ensure her restaurant guests enjoy a fabulous meal. A walk through the Suva markets with Sangeeta is a true Fijian experience – her favourite farmers all greet her with huge smiles and save their best catch for her.

Chef Chay accompanied her to the markets and said they rivalled the best of the best in Thailand and was able to purchase fragrant herbs and spices along with super fresh seafood and vegetables. The result is new Thai options on Eden’s already long list of menu. The toughest part for diners now is what to choose.

Eden is located near the American embassy, on the corner of Bureta and Maharaj Streets. Bookings are required for most nights due to its popularity.