New York City, known for its diverse culinary scene, now offers a taste of the rich cultural heritage and flavors from La Réunion and the French diaspora at the cutest cocktail bar, Maloya, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick.
A beautiful island nestled between Mauritius and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, La Réunion has been on my travel bucket list for almost a decade. A dramatic land of fiery volcanoes, lush jungles and sweeping mountains under bright starlit skies. This off-the-beaten track fusion of African, Asian & European influences offers a taste of Creole culture that is deeply rooted in the island’s colorful history and can be experienced through its distinct art, gastronomy and local language.
Used for exile before the first settlers arrived in the 17th century, slave laborers were brought in from East Africa to work on the coffee and sugar plantations. Later Malays, Annamites, Chinese, and Malabar Indians were imported as indentured laborers to work the plantations.
While I still haven’t had an opportunity to hop a plane to experience the tropical surroundings of this French department (it is one of the outermost regions of the EU), my recent NYC experience at Maloya showed why Réunion Island is every gourmet traveller’s dream come true…rougaille, seafood, leafy vegetables, pickles and salads, great service and selection of beverages that includes "Rhum Arrange," rum infused with fruit and spices.
The Brooklyn bar’s name is derived from 1 of 2 forms of both music and dance from the island, maloya and séga. Handed down by word of mouth, the folklore forms were created by cultural groups originally from Africa and Madagascar, then had European and some Indian influences. The word Maloya comes from Malgache term “maloy aho” which means “to speak.” Usually sung in Réunion Creole that is traditionally accompanied by percussion and a musical bow, Maloya has origins in the music of African and Malagasy slaves and Indian indentured workers on the island.
Maloya has been passed down from generation to generation, to celebrate the ancestors and now blends traditional musical instruments, such as the rouler, kayamb, piker or the sati. Originally from Africa where it is known as chiquisti or kaembe in the southern provinces of Mozambique and as kayamba in Kenya and Zanzibar, the idiophone that is used became the raloba in Madagascar and the mkayamba in Anjouan or Mayotte.
With its welcoming ambiance and dedication to serving authentic Réunionese cuisine, Maloya, is quickly becoming a favorite among locals and tourists. Whether you're a fan of spicy stews, exotic fruits, or flavorful beverages, a visit to this NYC hotspot promises a culinary journey like no other.