Enjoy Timor-Leste Cuisine

Pork, fish, basil, tamarind, beans, corn, rice, root vegetables, and tropical fruit are all popular items in East Timor's cuisine. East Timorese cuisine is influenced by Malay and Portuguese foods as a result of Portugal's colonization. Due to the presence of Portuguese soldiers from other former Portuguese colonies in East Timor, flavors and ingredients from other former Portuguese colonies can be found.

Because agriculture is East Timor's primary occupation, rice is the country's staple food. Other primary foods grown in East Timor include sweet potatoes, maize, cassava, and taro, in addition to rice. Beans, cabbage, spinach, onions, and cowpeas supplement these major staples.

Poultry, pigs, and goats make up the second food category. Most East Timorese households grow their own meat animals. Fish is another source of animal protein in this country, as fishing is a popular pastime after agriculture.