Explore Guides
Local food map
Flic en Flac (Mauritius)
Hotels in area
Snack
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
320kcal
10gProtein
45gCarbs
12gFat
8gFibre
80 gServing
* Per serving · 80 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Gato Pima
How to order / say it
Say it
Gato Pima — [gah-to pee-mah]
Order
I would like chilli cakes, please.
Locally
Mo pran en gato pima, souple.
Say locally
Fried lentil cakes spiced with chili.
Why try it?
Gato Pima is a beloved street food in Flic en Flac, offering a spicy, crispy taste that reflects the city's vibrant Creole culture.
How it tastes
These deep-fried cakes have a crunchy texture with a burst of spicy and earthy flavors, usually enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.
Origin & History — first documented: 1895
Found commonly in Flic en Flac markets since the late 19th century, these cakes were an adaptation of Indian pakoras tailored to local palettes.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🫘 250 g yellow lentils
- 🧂 30 g green chili
- 🧂 5 g cumin
- 🌿 10 g coriander
- 🧄 50 g onions
- 🌾 30 g flour
Method
- 1 Grind lentils with chilies and spices to a paste.
- 2 Shape into small balls and coat lightly in flour.
- 3 Deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
More from Flic en Flac
Main course
Meat
Cari Poulet
kari poo-lay
A traditional Mauritian chicken curry with rich spices.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Salmi Canard
sal-mee kah-nahr
A flavorful Creole style duck stew with red wine.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Rougaille Poisson
roo-gah-ye poo-sawn
A classic fish dish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Vindi Komar Tambave
vin-dee koh-mar tahm-bah-vay
Traditional spicy okra dish cooked with prawns.