TRAVEL I Korovou's best kept secret is back on the menu

THERE is no need for mad rush in the laid-back township of Korovou.

Here the clock seems to tik tok a little slower, reminding keen travellers that some of Fiji’s unforgettable experiences are found tucked away from the city’s hurried pace.

Drive into the heart of Tailevu North and, perched above the township with sweeping views of the lush countryside, sits the newly renovated Tailevu Hotel, a familiar landmark that is rewriting a new chapter.

For years, the hotel has been a resting place for weary travellers, government workers and families passing through the district.

Today, it is giving people another reason to stop, not just for the night, but for a memorable meal.

Step inside and the first thing you notice is the warmth.

There is no pretence in the air – just genuine Fijian hospitality from a small team that welcomes guests with easy smiles and attentive service.

Then comes the food. The new breakfast, lunch and dinner menu is a celebration of Tailevu itself, fresh, generous and proudly local. Every plate reflects the abundance of the province, where organic vegetables grow in nearby farms, fish arrive fresh from the coast and traditional recipes continue to be passed from one generation to the next.

Behind the menu is chef Asupa Leba, who believes good food should be accessible to everyone.

Before taking charge of the kitchen in Korovou, the Totoya, Lau islander honed her skills at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort on the Coral Coast before moving on to some of Suva’s well-known cafés and coffee houses.

Those experiences shaped her appreciation for quality dining, but it was Korovou that perhaps inspired her latest creation.

“I walked around town to see what people were eating,” she said.

“I realised there wasn’t a place where families could enjoy affordable fine dining in a beautiful setting. That’s what inspired this menu.”

It is a philosophy that is reflected in every dish. Breakfast begins with a generous big breakfast – crispy toast, fluffy omelette, sausages and perfectly cooked bacon, of course with your favoursite choice of juice or hot beverage.

It is simple, hearty and satisfying, with plans already underway to introduce more traditional Fijian breakfast favourites.

By lunchtime, the kitchen is in full swing. One dish, in particular, tells the story of Tailevu better than words ever could.

For just $18, the catch-of-the-day platter brings together crispy fried fish, stuffed freshwater mussels, creamy kokoda, fresh miti ota, comforting rourou balls with a tuna filling and golden eggplant fritters.

Every bite is a reminder that Fiji’s finest ingredients often come from its own backyard.

As the afternoon sun softens over Korovou and the hills begin to glow, dinner offers another taste of home.

A steaming bowl of tender sui served alongside fresh rourou or moca is comfort food at its best—rich, wholesome and deeply rooted in local tradition. Alternatively, you might like to sink into fish cooked in rich coconut cream.

But the experience doesn’t end at the dining table.

Enjoy a refreshing drink at the nearby bar before heading into the hotel’s dance hall, where locals and visitors alike gather as familiar island tunes fill the air.

It’s the kind of place where strangers quickly become friends, and where an evening can effortlessly stretch into a night of laughter, music and dancing.

In many ways, the Tailevu Hotel mirrors the township around it. It is unassuming with its attractions and full of surprises too. For travellers making their way along Kings Road, the hotel is more than a convenient stopover.

It is a chance to slow down, enjoy honest food prepared by Ms Leba and her team, and experience the warmth of a community that has always known how to make visitors feel at home.

Sometimes the best journeys are not about racing to the next destination but a warm welcome, a beautifully prepared meal and a place that reminds you why you chose to travel in the first place.

That place is Korovou, where the Tailevu Hotel is ready to embrace you, breakfast, lunch and dinner!!