The Official Dish of the USVI: Fish & Fungi
One of the best parts of being Cruzan Foodie is sharing my incredible foodie finds with you! This image shown below is the official dish of the Virgin Islands. It is one that I’ve eaten more times than I count growing up on St. Croix, even though I didn’t like it too much as a kid.
What is Fish & Fungi?
Fish & fungi is what one might a call a true “Virgin Islands” dish. It can be found on most menus of locally owned eateries. Fungi (pronounced foon-gee) can be described as a cornmeal-based dumpling similar in texture to polenta made with okra, salt and butter. The fish is often first pan-fried then stewed in a tomato-based creole sauce. Red snapper is the preferred fish in this dish (ha, that rhymed), but king fish steaks or other fish types can be used based on availability. Fish & fungi ties back to the days of slavery when corn meal and salted fish were the rations provided to enslaved Africans. In those days, you had to make do with what was readily available and inexpensive.
The Dish Ties Back to African Roots
When I visited Africa in 2021, I was amazed (but not surprised) that much of the food I ate in Kenya reminded me of what we grew up eating in the Caribbean. It’s not surprise since ALL of our roots date back to The Motherland. Ugali (the white colored food pictured below) is a simpler version of our Virgin Islands fungi. Our fungi is made with cornmeal and okra. Ugali is made with either white maize flour or cornmeal and water. While it doesn’t have much flavor, it is used as a filler in meals to provide sustenance & strength.
It’s amazing to learn my African ancestors were able to create with limited means when they were enslaved. Despite the back breaking work in the sugar cane fields, they still managed to maintain nourishment for themselves.
How To Eat Fish & Fungi
Now one cannot enjoy fish & fungi without getting a little messy. The tiny bones found in the snapper fish means your hands will have to get a little saucy to truly enjoy this meal’s deliciousness. Spoon the sauce in your plate over the fungi to make sure it seeps into every crack and crevice it can find its way into. Check out how to enjoy fish & fungi like a pro here.
Grab a stack of napkins and get to work when you arrive to St. Croix; you have to give fish & fungi a try whenever you find yourself visiting one-third of America’s Paradise. Here are a couple places on St. Croix where you can get a taste of fish & fungi on St. Croix:
Where to Buy Fish & Fungi
Junie’s Bar & Restaurant
Mid-Island
132 Peters Rest
340.773.2801
Centeno’s Cruzuan Cuisine
Mid-Island
Estate Diamond Ruby across from the KFC in the Sunny Isles Shopping Center
340.773.6950
Until Next Time,
Q the Cruzan Foodie
