Discovering Haiti in Taiwan: Exotica Caribbean Kitchen Brings Caribbean Flavors to Taipei
A First Taste of Haitian Cuisine in an Unexpected Place
My first experience with Griot—the iconic Haitian fried pork dish served with plantains—happened not in Haiti but at Exotica Caribbean Kitchen in Taipei, Taiwan. This long-awaited culinary encounter in such an unexpected location proved to be perfectly timed. At Exotica, I wasn’t just sampling food; I was being welcomed into a home.
Founder Marilene Roger and Partner Frantz Augustin joined me for dinner, where we shared an impressive spread. Red Snapper, Riz et pois (Haitian rice and beans), spicy Pikliz (spicy coleslaw), and Salad Pòmdetè Ak Bètrav (Haitian potato salad) graced our table. The warm, inviting atmosphere made me feel like I was breaking bread with their families back in Haiti—precisely the experience they aim to create.
“We want people to feel like they’re at home,” explains Augustin. “There are no restrictions once inside. You can come in and enjoy yourself and talk to other people without someone saying, ‘Hey. You’re too loud.'”
Food as Cultural Education
Beyond creating a welcoming space, Roger and Augustin established Exotica as a place to learn about Haitian culture through its cuisine. Each dish tells a story of resilience from the world’s first free Black republic.
Take Soup Joumou, a pumpkin soup that celebrates Haiti’s independence. “All Haitians eat ‘Freedom Soup’ on January 1st,” Roger and Augustin told me. “January 1st is our Independence. We eat it as a tradition because our ancestors could not.”
While Freedom Soup wasn’t available during my visit—you’ll only find it when pumpkins are in season—this adherence to seasonal cooking reflects Roger’s deep-rooted culinary philosophy.
“My grandmother used to say Mother Nature tells you what you need each season, so cook only what’s in season,” Roger shares. “I have a special connection to nature because I grew up in a house with a garden in our backyard. Most of our food came from my father’s farmhouse, and my mother taught me to cook.”
From Finance to Food: The Birth of Exotica
Roger’s journey to restaurant ownership began in 2017 when she resigned from her corporate job to pursue finance studies in Taiwan. As a student, she searched for Caribbean restaurants but found none—surprising given Taiwan’s long-standing relationships with Caribbean nations including Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti.
After graduating with a dual degree in finance, Roger spent six months applying for financial analyst positions before deciding to forge her own path with Exotica.
The assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse influenced her decision to stay in Taiwan. Roger saw an opportunity to present a different narrative about Haiti than what typically appears in mainstream media.
“Right now, with the social-political situation, people don’t know how to feel about Haiti. They see gang violence or an unstable capital city… there is so much to show the world,” said Roger. “This is my opportunity to do something. It’s a way to show our beautiful culture and pay homage to the long-lasting relationship between Haiti and Taiwan.”
Building Community Through Caribbean Cuisine
Exotica serves dishes from various Caribbean countries, not just Haiti. As the first Caribbean restaurant in Taipei, Roger and Augustin feel responsible for representing the broader Caribbean community, especially countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan.
Their vision extends beyond their current location in the Shilin District. The co-founders aim to franchise Exotica throughout Taipei, introducing more people to Haitian food and Caribbean culture.
Visitors can find Exotica Caribbean Kitchen at 57 Zhongshan North Road, Section 7, in Taipei’s Shilin District.
