Tanzania Foods
Overview
Tanzania cuisine is unique and is a must-try while on a safari adventure to the country. Often believed to reflect cultural diversity, Tanzania foods will surprise you. What makes this East African fare stand out? Let’s read through!
Basic Tanzanian Cuisine- Delicious as well as Nutritious
The predominant ingredients used in Tanzanian cuisine are millet, beans, cornmeal, sorghum, and pilaf. This means the dishes are loaded with starch which makes the food nutritious and filling. Apart from starch, other important ingredients used in Tanzanian dishes are coconut and its derivatives, and plantains. Groundnuts are widely used as spices.
What does a Basic Tanzanian Meal look like?
Breakfast:
Chapatti, flatbread, Mandazi, or fried dough (donut) is usually served in the breakfast. It is served with sweet and milky tea flavored with ginger and cardamom. Locally this tea is fondly called ‘chai’.
Lunch:
Lunch contains either Ugali (boiled maize “porridge”) or rice along with bean, chapatti bread, and some veggies. A variety of spinach called Mchicha is mostly eaten with rice. Seafood and coconut dishes are some of the staples too.
Dinner:
Mostly similar to lunch. Meat stews and fried chicken could be added during this time. Arabica coffee is mostly preferred during dinner.
Do you know what the national dish of Tanzania is?
It is Ugali. It is delicious dough made of cornmeal and served in a sauce of meat or vegetables. Other dishes that you must try while on your Trip to Tanzania.
Comfort Foods on a Tanzania Tour
Chipsi Mayai- Nothing but French fries and Omelet
Zanzibar Pizza- sheet of dough topped with onion, peppers, meat, a raw egg, and cheese.
Some must try Tanzanian dishes and their description is given below
| Dish Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Wali wa Nazi | Rice in coconut milk |
| Supu Ya ndizi | Plantain Soup |
| Ndizi Kaanga | Fried banana |
| Mchuzi wa Samaki | Curried fish in coconut milk |
| Mishkaki | Beef or chicken kebabs |
| Pilau | Rice dish with some spices |
| Nyama Choma | Tanzanian grilled meat (barbecue) meal |
Tanzanian Food- Simple, filling yet flavorful!
On the last note, you may not come on a Tanzania Tour for food only but what you get is absolutely appetizing and flavorful. Hope you enjoy them and are happy tasting them!
