Recognizing the differences between Creole and Cajun cuisine can be difficult since both have French origins and use spices that produce well-rounded flavors. However, distinct characteristics make these cuisines unique, and learning what they are will open up your palate to a new world of cultural delicacies.

What Are Their Origins?

Creole cooking actually came into being 40 years before Cajun cuisine. During the 18th and 19th centuries, a collection of French, Spanish, German, West African, English, and Italian settlers came to live along the Louisiana coast. The conglomeration of ingredients and cooking techniques that each brought to the area resulted in the birth of a new type of cuisine known as “Creole.”

It wasn’t until after the founding of New Orleans that the Cajun style of cooking gained popularity. A group of French Canadians known as Acadians found their way to a more rural part of the state where the Native Americans and Spanish settlers had already started to meld their different cooking methods, which, combined with the ready supply of local meats, gave this particular cuisine its unique flavor.

How Are They Different?

The main difference between Creole and Cajun cooking is based upon their location. Since the former originated in a more urban, densely populated area, it incorporates additional ingredients like okra, Spanish spices, potatoes, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes, which give the food its rich taste.

Cajun was founded in a part of the state that didn’t have ready access to outside resources. The people foraged locally for seafood, wild game, vegetables, and grains to produce simpler meals with a subtle amount of spice. Their French style of cooking transformed these simple ingredients into hearty meals that could satisfy an entire family.

If you’ve never tried quality Cajun cuisine, stop in to eat at Cajun King in Aiea, HI. These professionals have used only the freshest ingredients since opening in 2013. Some of their most popular items include Dungeness crab, shrimp, crawfish, lobster, and mussels. Call (808) 484-2221 or visit their website to learn more about their menu.