Jamaican Food

Planning a trip overseas should always involve food. In fact, that’s one of the best parts of traveling and a Jamaican food experience will prove us right. Fortunately for you, your next trip will involve Jamaica food and you’ll love it. Prepare for sugar and spice, and everything nice. You’ll understand once you’ve tried it. If you’re not sure where to start, no worries. Here is some must-eat traditional Jamaican food that’ll make you go yummmm.
 
Almost immediately, jerk chicken and to a lesser extent jerk pork might pop up when you mention Jamaican food. Throughout Jamaica, from jerk pits to fancy five-star eateries, jerk is well loved. What makes it so special is the preparation and cooking process. The jerk you’ll fall in love with is marinated in a combination of multiple seasonings and spices and slowly smoked over pimento chips or sweetwood. Trust us, the aroma will hypnotize you and you’ll definately want more. If you’re in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay, Food Network regular Scotchies is the best spot for the most succulent jerk chicken or pork. For Kingston travelers, Pepperwood Jerk Centre serves just as succulent jerk dishes. Your nose and stomach will guide you there – as well as Google maps.

As popular as our jerk is you would think it’s our national dish but actually it’s ackee. Ackee is consumed mainly as a breakfast item but we’re not the boss of you so you can have it any time. It looks similar to scrambled eggs but this Jamaican food is traditionally sauteed with lots of saltfish and seasonings and served with ground provision or fried dumplings. The saltfish can be switched out with corned pork or left out entirely if you’re vegan. Speaking of vegan, callaloo, a local cousin to spinach is another breakfast tradition.
 
This vegan-friendly food is prepared with fresh seasonings and steamed or lightly sauteed sometimes with saltfish. This naturally flavourful vegetable can also make a zinger of a soup called pepperpot soup. The Pelican restaurant in the West or Syd’s Cafe on the Eastern side of the island serves up a delightful taste of Jamaican patriotism on a plate. If you can’t make it to these spots, most cookshops around the island will have them on their menu. But get there early because these dishes go fast!

But if you’re on the go, a Jamaican patty is your best option. The buttery dough is filled with well-seasoned beef, chicken, or vegetable fillings that are good in-between snacks after a zip line adventure or swim. Tastee’s or Juici are popular patty shops with locations all over the island serving these delicious snacks but the shrimp and curry goat patties at Devon House in Kingston are legendary. Another legendary Jamaican food is our escoveitch fish. If you visit a beach outside of your hotel, you’re likely to see fish shacks cooking up some of the best fried fish with escoveitched sauce you’ll taste. The secret is in the sauce. It’s made from vinegar, onions, peppers, carrots, and pimento seeds and adds the finger-licking flavour when poured over the fried to perfection catch of the day. This is usually served with bammies or festivals. Hellshire or Gloria’s in Kingston or Tropical Kitchen in Ocho Rios are well-known fish spots to enjoy escoveitch fish.

After all that hearty goodness, satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of sweet potato pudding. Referred to as ‘hell ah top, hell ah bottom, and hallelujah in de middle’, this delicacy makes a great dessert. The preparation method explains the reference and if you’re in Priory St. Ann, “Pudding Man” will show you how it’s done. The method forms a sweet custardy layer on the top and bottom of the pudding and goes great with vanilla ice-cream. Other sweet traditional Jamaican treats like gizzada (pronounced gee-zah-dah), coconut drops, and grater cake are dessert snack treats you have to try. Have a refreshing drink of soursop or carrot juice with your meal and your Jamaican food experience is complete.
The elements you’ll love with Jamaican food is how hearty and filled with love it is. Look, our food does not skimp on ingredients so when you pack your bags you might want to leave your scale lol.