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You are here: Home / Recipes / Tahitian Poisson Cru (Polynesian Ceviche) {Paleo, Whole 30}

Tahitian Poisson Cru (Polynesian Ceviche) {Paleo, Whole 30}

Published on January 31, 2017 by Helen Best-Shaw 58 Comments
Last Updated on June 5, 2020

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If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite.  Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables. Paleo and Whole 30 friendly.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

The foodie’s version of knowing someone by walking a mile in their shoes surely has to be sitting at their table and sharing their meal?  One of the huge pleasures and most important part of travel for me is to (within reason) eat everything I am offered and to get to know the people and their country by sharing their food.  All too often we go abroad, and stay in identikit resorts and hotels and eat the same as we would do at home.  It really is such a shame, different cultures and countries have so much to offer, but all too often people are too timid to branch out with what they put onto their plates.

The deep lush forests of the Tahitian Papenoo Valley
The deep lush forests of the Tahitian Papenoo Valley

On my recent trip to Tahiti I learnt that there is so much more to the islands than azure tropical seas teaming with marine life, white sandy beaches with their pristine resorts and the iconic water bungalows.  In the interior of the island are dense lush tropical forests, alive with stories, ancient villages and sacred sites.   Think of a cross between Lost and Jurassic Park and you get an idea of the landscape and vegetation.

We took a trip in the Papenoo valley with Iaorana Tahiti Expeditions, owned by Teuai (Olivier) Lenoir, a real life superhero (he lifted a 115kg rock with ease, and literally ran up coconut tree) who has an infectious passion for Tahitian culture and the mana of the islands. Teuai is an accomplished athlete with his love of tuaro maohi or traditional Polynesian sports (including the rock lifting), a dancer, qualified mountain guide, he is also thoroughly personable and a delight to spend time with.

Teuai Lenoir in the jungle of the Tahitian Papenoo Valley

Having travelled by 4×4 into the mountains it was time to prepare lunch, a simple Tathian poisson cru – a Polynesian version of ceviche. The dish is endlessly adaptable, and so easy to make.  I dined at some excellent top restaurants on the trip, but it is probably this simple bowl that will remain with me, and be recreated at home to transport me back.   I ate bowls of this for breakfast each morning in the various hotels I stayed in, but of course the dish eaten outside was the best.

Firstly light a fire, and feed with coconut husks to help repel the mosquitos.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Take some fresh chopped tuna, which has been soaking in sea water, drain and place into a serving bowl.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Squeeze lime juice over the fish and mix to coat it. Add a handful of diced diced tomatoes.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Add a handful of diced green pepper, and then some peeled and deseeded cucumber.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Add some diced onion, and a grated carrot.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Mix well.

Now to prepare the coconuts.

Preparing coconuts for milk
Preparing coconuts for milk

Take a long sturdy stick and use a machete to whittle a point at each end, drive the stick into the ground and use the sharp point to remove the husk from the coconuts.  Carefully crack the coconuts in half with the machete, drink the water, then grate the meat into a bowl.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Place the grated coconut meat into a mesh bag and squeeze the coconut milk out of it over the fish mixture.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Mix and then serve in the coconut shell with some steamed taro.   Enjoy and let the mana embrace you.

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If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
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4.91 from 30 votes

Everything You Need To Know

  • Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche {Paleo, Whole 30}
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche {Paleo, Whole 30}

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.
Servings: 2 people
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 min
Total Time11 mins
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 2 tuna fillets - cut into 1cm cubes ((or use salmon))
  • 1 lime - juice
  • handful chopped tomatoes
  • handful green pepper (diced)
  • handful cucumber ((peeled and deseeded))
  • handful onion ((diced))
  • handful carrot ((finely grated))
  • 1 cup coconut milk ((ideally fresh))

Instructions

  • Place the fish into a bowl, and pour the lime juice over.
  • Add all the other ingredients, and mix well.

Notes

  • Use salmon in place of the tuna, and mix up the vegetables.  If I was making this again, I'd probably leave out the onion and add a few finely chopped chives. 
  • This recipe is 18 Weight Watchers Smart Points
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche {Paleo, Whole 30}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 518 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 108mg5%
Potassium 1036mg30%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 43g86%
Vitamin A 9505IU190%
Vitamin C 46.6mg56%
Calcium 54mg5%
Iron 5.8mg32%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main
Cuisine: Fish, Polynesian
Keyword: Ceviche, Tahitian Cru, Tahitian Poisson
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Having eaten it was back to the jeeps for a quick drive.

Tahitian jungle
Swimming pool with waterfall in the centre of Tahiti

Where we left the road onto a hidden path, and hiked for 20 minutes, up and down steep slopes, across rushing rivers until we reached this blissful spot.

Tours with Teuai with Ioarana Tahiti Exhibitions are from $59USD per person – not including the lunch.    We were the guests of Tahiti Tourism and travelled via Paris with Air Tahiti Nui.   Follow the conversation on social #EmbracedbyMana.

 

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

 

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Filed Under: Easy Ways to Extra Veg (and Fruit), Fish & Seafood, Food Origins and Stories, Main Meal, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Salad, Summer, Travel Ingredients: Coconut Milk, Cucumber, Fish, Lime, Onion, Peppers, Vegetables

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sarah

    5 stars
    To say that this looks amazing is an understatement! I don’t think that it could get more fresh than this!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I think that the tuna were landed that morning and it was the freshest coconut milk you can have!

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, swoon! How did you not just spend the whole holiday gawping at that rather fine specimen of a man! Oh yes… the ceviche, that sounds rather fantastic too (but I’m totally scrolling back for another lingering look. Be still my heart!)

    Reply
    • Helen

      I can safely say that there is no one I’d rather be stranded in the jungle with….

      Reply
      • George (Virapura) Parsons

        5 stars
        Ua haere ani ‘oe i te fenua Tahiti. Na vai e haapii ia ‘oe te hamaniraa te maa Tahiti? A faaitoito noa!

        Reply
  3. Camilla

    5 stars
    I’ve been following you trip eagerly and just love this refreshing and healthy dish, just bursting with flavour:-)

    Reply
  4. Talya

    5 stars
    Wow I do love a ceviche but honestly had no idea it was consumed in Tahiti! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Helen

      A poisson cru is very common all over Polynesia – I’ll be making this version at home.

      Reply
  5. Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet

    5 stars
    This is a lovely looking Sushi! Tahitian foods are heavenly. Wish I could live forever in Tahiti! It would have been living in heaven just for the foods.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’d go back in a flash and stay for a year.

      Reply
  6. Kristine

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds tasty! So different (for my taste), but I love trying new things! Bookmarked!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love discovering something completely different which I like to eat.

      Reply
  7. Donna

    5 stars
    What a feast for the eyes neve mind the taste buds! This is my ideal kind of food, so fresh and so beautifully presented! Thanks for sharing xx

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was amazing, best outdoor food I’ve had for a long while.

      Reply
  8. Jenn

    5 stars
    Such gorgeous pictures – that waterfall!! I love the idea of totally submersing yourself in the culture and living/eating like the locals.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The waterfall was amazing, so refreshing to swim in the pool under it.

      Reply
  9. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food

    5 stars
    WOW. I love ceviche, so I am now inspired not only to make this Tahitian version, but also to VISIT TAHITI.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Go to Tahiti – it is such a surprise when you are there, so much to see and do.

      Reply
  10. Nikki

    4 stars
    Wow the food looks amazing. I love tuna but never really know what to do with it! The man looks pretty good too!! :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love raw fish so much, it needs to be good quality but is so tasty. Watching the chef prepare the meal was a real treat.

      Reply
  11. Kacie

    5 stars
    I am really into fresh tuna recently, may just give to give this a whirl!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Go for it!

      Reply
  12. Kacie

    5 stars
    Bet this is tasty. I love fresh tuna :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was so good. I cannot wait to make it again at home.

      Reply
  13. Rachel

    5 stars
    This looks incredible, I am drawn to the bright colours and anything which includes coconut milk I am bound to enjoy.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I adore coconut milk too, freshly squeezed is a whole other level of deliciousness.

      Reply
  14. five little doves

    5 stars
    Oh wow this looks amazing, such gorgeous photos!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you. It was am amazing trip.

      Reply
  15. Ana De- Jesus

    5 stars
    I love how fresh it looks and it is great that you got to capture photos of the local culture as well. Breathtaking x

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was fantastic, I think that food eaten outdoors is so much nicer.

      Reply
  16. Jo

    4 stars
    That tuna looked devine, as does the surroundings. What a beautiful country!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Tahiti is amazing, I had no idea about the mountains and that lush forest.

      Reply
  17. Mellissa Williams

    5 stars
    I’ve had ceviche before but nothing like this version. What a beautiful country, your photos are amazing

    Reply
    • Helen

      I know, isn’t is lovely dish I’ll be making it at home.

      Reply
  18. Rhian Westbury

    5 stars
    You’re right you do learn a lot about different cultures by eating the food that they eat. Looks like a lovely authentic dish x

    Reply
    • Helen

      The food is one of the best parts of travel for me, I look forward a different cuisine so much.

      Reply
  19. Home and Horizon

    5 stars
    What an amazing dish – and the great news is that it would work well with my slimming world! ;-) Thanks very much for this!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Yes, and as it is full of protein it is really filling too.

      Reply
  20. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

    5 stars
    Wow, Helen, look like you had a fantastic time! So exciting to have ceviche fresh like that!

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was amazingly fresh, and the setting we ate it in was just awesome.

      Reply
  21. danasia fantastic

    5 stars
    I LOVEEEEE ceviche, but have never made it myself. I think I’m going to try and recreate this dish, this weekend for super bowl Sunday. Your trip looks amazing BTW.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I will be making this dish all the time now. It is so good.

      Reply
  22. Miracle Max

    5 stars
    That looks sensational. I love seeing the step by step pictures on how it was prepared. Jo x

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was amazing, but I think that both the setting and the chef helped!

      Reply
  23. Jess

    5 stars
    Teuai sounds like a brilliant guide! I love the sound of this dish, anything coconut is right up my street :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      He was just amazing, I’d love to spend another day on one of his tours.

      Reply
  24. Lisa Backsnbumps

    5 stars
    What a stunning place to visit, so much culture to take in. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to try the sushi but my husband likes the look of it.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I find raw fish so good. Maybe start off with just a little?

      Reply
  25. Moderate Mum

    4 stars
    I do love sushi! I’m a terrible cook but I think I could manage this one!

    Reply
    • Helen

      not much cooking at all here! Just the chopping.

      Reply
  26. Kerry norris

    5 stars
    My goodness that man looks like something out of a film. The food looks pretty good too lol x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Both were absolutely lovely!

      Reply
  27. Kara

    5 stars
    Wow, I bet that smelled amazing as well as tasting delicious

    Reply
    • Helen

      the fresh coconut was so good.

      Reply
  28. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    5 stars
    What a gorgeous dish the mix of flavours must make it taste incredible. I would love to try this for myself.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was so good, satisfying but also quite light. Easy to make at home too.

      Reply
  29. [email protected]

    5 stars
    What a fantastic trip! This dish looks amazing and I love the photos too!!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Alida, it was a dream trip.

      Reply

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