Tukuni’ is yet another innovative idea by FRIEND Fiji.

The traditional iTaukei and Indo-Fijian themed restaurant opened yesterday at FRIEND Fiji Teidamu office in Lautoka.

After a one month trial run, FRIEND Fiji will look at how best they can serve their customers and become fully operational from October.

FRIEND Fiji Director Sashi Kiran said the menu focussed on the diet of our ancestors both of Indigenous and Indian origins.

“Our ancestors had a very beautiful and healthy diet and the people from India who came to Fiji used a lot of herbs and spices which are very healthy,” Ms Kiran said.

She added that nowadays, all these touches to our food are absent and this has resulted in a lot of health worries among Fijians.

“We are trying to give people a taste of what used to be the beautiful traditional food,” she said.

“We will be buying food and crops directly from the farmers and we will buy from farmers who were affected by severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.”

The ‘Tukuni’ restaurant furnishings are sourced locally. This includes the tables and chairs, bamboo finishing and tapa designs – giving a very traditional touch.

“We hope to provide a very traditional theme and people can explore local food which is healthy.”

Investment Amount: $5,000

Employment: 20

Opening Hours: Open only for lunch from 10am -3pm.