Ghana has a unique and diverse cuisine that is influenced by its history and culture. It has evolved over time and these foods are known for their bold flavours and unique ingredients. Here are some of the foods you should try if you’re in Ghana or you plan to visit.
Waakye
Waakye is a popular Ghanaian dish made with rice and beans. It is a meal that is common to the northern people of Ghana but is widely consumed by all Ghanaians. It is usually served with a variety of sides such as tomato sauce, black sauce, fried plantain, boiled egg, fried fish, chicken, spaghetti, and gari. It is a staple food in Ghana that is often eaten for breakfast. It can be found at various food stands across the country since it is a popular street food.
Fufu
Fufu is another popular Ghanaian food made with starch vegetables like plantain, cassava, or yam that are boiled, mashed, and formed into balls. Fufu can be eaten with the fingers and is a staple food in Ghana. It is often served with various soups including groundnut soup, light soup, and palm nut soup. It is a special dish in Ghana and is often served with a variety of meat and fish.
Omo Tuo
Omo Tuo also known as rice balls, is a staple Ghanaian dish made with rice that is boiled until it is very soft and is then mashed to form balls. It is typically served with various soups including groundnut soup and palm nut soup. It is mostly eaten for lunch or dinner. It is a satisfying meal and is definitely a must-try.
Ampesi
Ampesi is a local Ghanaian dish made with boiled yams, plantains, and coco yams. It is served with a variety of stews including tomato stew, garden eggs stew, palava sauce, and beans stew amongst others. It can be served with eggs, pear, and fish to give it a unique and delicious taste.
Banku
Banku is another dish made with fermented corn and cassava dough. The dough is mixed with water and allowed to cook while stirring constantly till it becomes soft. It is often enjoyed with pepper and okro stew and soup as well. It can be eaten for lunch or dinner based on your preference. It is a perfect meal that you must definitely try.
Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice is a delicious one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices. It is usually eaten with fried plantain, chicken, beef, sausages, and any protein you prefer. It is one of the amazing staple foods in Ghana and has brought about a lot of debates between Ghana and its neighboring countries.
Kenkey
Kenkey is a traditional Ghanaian dish that is usually eaten with soup or pepper sauce. It is made from fermented corn dough which is wrapped into banana leaves or corn husk and is boiled for a period of time. It is often served with fish, chicken, meat, egg or shrimps. It is a tasty and is also regarded as the staple food of the Gas in Ghana.
Tuo Zaafi
Tuo Zaafi popularly known as “TZ” is a popular dish in Northern Ghana. It is made from maize or millet flour that is mixed with water and cooked until it forms a thick dough. The dough is then rolled into balls and served with soup made from vegetables and any protein of your choice. TZ is often eaten with the hand and it is a very delicious meal.
Beans and Plantain
Beans and plantain also known as “Red Red” or “Gob3” is one of the nutritious meals you’ll find in Ghana. It is made by cooking beans and adding sautéed onions, tomatoes and spices to give it a unique taste. The dish is often served with a side of gari, plantain, egg, fried fish or chicken. It is a popular street food and is widely patronized due to its affordability.
Akple
Akple is a traditional Ghanaian dish that is made from corn flour, cassava flour, water and salt. The dough is mixed with water and left to ferment and is then cooked until it forms a thick smooth paste. The Ewes are known for making this dish but it is widely consumed by all. It is often served with a tasty okra soup known as “fetri detsi”.
Ghanaian foods are very unique, delicious and definitely worth trying. These are a few of the amazing foods you could try when exploring Ghana’s cuisine.