10 Most Popular African Foods

Contrary to the negative publicity, the African continent is home to rich cultures, fresh food from farms, wildlife, and sandy beaches. Africa is home to over 2000 tribes, all of which have great foods—this is why breaking down Africa’s ten most popular foods is difficult.

While most people can’t even believe we have authentic meals in Africa because of the negative publicity, we do. There are many countries with the best foods in Africa. But don’t worry; we are here to show you some of the best foods you can use.

Naturally, African cuisine is diverse and uses different ingredients, but I like that it’s mostly fresh from the farm. You know what that means; we enjoy the healthiest meals. For the longest time, food in Africa has been a social event where most of us gather to catch up.

Detailing is a significant feature of considerable importance when discussing African foods. The base of ingredients and spices used when preparing African dishes is rich, which makes a sumptuous recipe.

So, whether you are visiting the plains of the east or the dessert parts of North Africa, here are the most popular African foods.

Most popular African foods

Our food is indeed influenced by the different tribes that settled or colonized Africa. This is why when discussing the most popular African foods, they are sometimes similar to Asian, British, and French meals.

1. Injera {East Africa}

It’s hard to miss injera on your table, especially in Ethiopia or Eritrea. This is a global sensation when it comes to African food. Injera i s one popular meal. Whether lunch or dinner, this sour flatbread will always reach your table.

The consistency of injera batter has a major resemblance to that of pancakes but with a unique spice. It often is served with vegetables, meats, and stews because of its ability to soak up the stews.

Well, you need teff flour to prepare an authentic injera. However, there are several substitutions you can use to prepare this dish but with a slight change in flavor. If you ever visit Ethiopia or an Ethiopian restaurant, you will probably see it.

2. Jollof rice {West Africa}

Cooking Jollof rice in west African countries is almost a rite of passage in many households. It’s another meal that has gone beyond the borders thanks to Nigerians and West Africans everywhere.

There are several versions of this dish, and they vary from one region to the other. The meal is so popular in the west that when there are parties, you’ll find it. Jollof is one of the most popular African foods.

It features a blend of long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, tomato paste, meat or chicken, and red bell pepper. You will have these common ingredients at the base of every Jollof rice.

There is a fiery rivalry among west African countries, including Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, regarding which country has the most authentic Jollof rice. Regardless of the rivalries, all that matters is your taste buds and how satisfying this dish always turns out.

 3. Ugali {East Africa}

How about an authentic African dish? Ugali is a staple in many regions of Africa, especially the central and eastern parts of Africa, with slight differences, particularly in consistency.

It is a favorite dish in many Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian households, and it is served with different sauces and vegetables.

There are no complications when making this recipe; maize flour is the only ingredient you need. However, if you prefer a healthier version of ugali, consider the flour prepared by combining sorghum and millet.

What to pair with ugali? Well, the list is endless. Kachumbari, Nyama Choma, vegetables, scrambled eggs.

4. Pap en Vleis {South Africa}

If you want a culinary adventure in southern Africa, try Shisa nyama. This food is referred to as an institution in the south region, and there’s one guarantee, it’s an excellent dish.

Pap en Vleis translates to maize porridge and meat, where the meat is sometimes barbecued. The porridge {pap} comes out best when you use maize meal and when it’s grittier.

It is a universal and inclusive meal that combines meat stew and pap. Chakalaka or anything spicy makes a great accompaniment to this recipe. Finding variations of this recipe is almost impossible, as people love the South African version.

5. Bunny chow {South Africa}

Are you a street food lover? Then here is something you will love should you find yourself in the streets of South Africa. This Indian South African fast food is a darling for many netizens, especially in Durban.

Chickpeas, meat, spices, and potatoes are common ingredients in hollowed-out bread. The curry’s flavor makes the bunny an excellent street food, so it should be well prepared.

The number of ingredients may appear intimidating, but it is worth your time, especially if you are making it from scratch. Like many other recipes, you can easily refine this recipe with other ingredients to make a healthier version.

6. Chicken kebabs {North Africa}

Traditionally, kebabs are prepared using ground meat, usually lamb meat, and cooked on a skewer over a fire. However, several variations incorporate different ingredients, such as chicken, vegetables, and fish.

Chicken kebabs are a favorite street food in Egypt and parts of north Africa. Both chicken breasts and thighs are an option when making this recipe, but the breast is perfect if you prefer a healthier version. Furthermore, you need to marinate it because it sometimes turns out dry.

The result of the chicken kebab flavor may differ slightly depending on the method you decide to prepare it. That said, whether you grill or bake the kebabs, chances are you will fall in love with this treat.

7. Couscous royale {North Africa}

There is a reason why this dish is referred to as “royale.” Merguez sausages, lambs, and chicken make this dish royal and a favorite in northern Africa, especially Morrocco and Tunisia.

The word couscous refers to the hard-wheat semolina and the ingredients used to prepare this dish. The traditional method of couscous preparation involved steaming the couscous and then rolling it between the hands to separate the grains. The good news is there is pre-made couscous sold in groceries.

Traditionally, this recipe is served following a particular procedure. A platter of grains {couscous}, then a bowl of broth accompanied with vegetables, grilled meat, and harissa sauce.

8. Moambe chicken {Central Africa}

Moambe chicken is a national dish in both Angola and Congo. It is sometimes referred to as “poulet moambe” or ” poulet Nyembwe,” whereby both moambe and Nyembwe mean “palm butter.”

The dish combines chicken, spices, condiments, and palm butter, resulting in a stew-like consistency. There are several variations in methods of preparation and ingredients locally and regionally.

What can you pair chicken moambe with? Well, there are endless possibilities of what to pair with this recipe, especially since its savory flavor profile goes well with many dishes. Plantains, shirataki noodles, cauliflower rice, and spaghetti are excellent options.

9. Waakye {West Africa}

The combination of rice and beans is popular in many cultures, with significant differences in the preparation procedures. The Ghanaian version of this combo is one of the best and worth every bite. The natives prefer this dish for breakfast or lunch, but it is also a good dinner alternative.

The dried sorghum leaf sheaths make this dish waakye and shouldn’t be left out when preparing the dish. The leaves are responsible for the reddish-brown color of the meal and its unique sweet-savory flavor.

It is a popular street food in Ghana and is usually served in banana leaves accompanied by other dishes such as lamb stew, vegetable salad, shito, and fried plantain.

10. Pilau {East Africa}

 

 

One of the most common delicious meals across east Africa is pilau. It’s particularly common for those special occasions. This meal comes from Indian pilau but is not as spicy, and the east African one doesn’t use curry.

This rice-based dish usually has meat or chicken and some spice to make it rich, flavorful, and colorful. It’s easy to make but may differ from country to country.

Pilau is much more common along the Kenyan coast and Tanzania. You will surely love it as much as most people enjoy Jollof.

Other meals

Egusi soup {West Africa}

I needed to mention this soup because it’s another staple across the west. it features a blend of different veggies, meats, and fish. If you like blending different flavors, you’ll enjoy this meal. Of course, it takes much longer to make since it incorporates other ingredients.

They mostly like to eat it with Fufu, and you can best believe you will see it if you go to any Nigerian restaurant.

Githeri {East African}

This one is the easiest to make but is also one of the healthiest options. It’s rich in fiber yet very colorful. It blends maize and beans, and of course, you have to boil it first and then fry it as you would like to add on flavors.

Matoke {East Africa}

For a country like Uganda, you can best believe you will eat bananas blended with some meats. It’s another common choice across East Africa because Bananas are more common.

As you can see, it’s hard for me to break down the ten most popular African foods. The list continues, but we will stop ours at 10. With this, we made a representation of African foods. Now, you can go on and add your favorites.