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New to West African Food? Start Here: Our 15 Must-Try Dishes

JollofDMV Team 6d ago 26 views
New to West African Food? Start Here: Our 15 Must-Try Dishes

West African food is bold, cozy, and deeply satisfying—think smoky peppers, slow-cooked stews, rice done a dozen ways, and plantain/cassava sides that make everything taste better. If you’re curious where to begin, start with these top 15.

Our Recommendations

  1. Jollof Rice (Nigeria/Ghana/Senegal) – Tomato-pepper rice with a gentle smoky kick; the region’s most loved “party rice.”

  2. Thieboudienne / Ceebu jën (Senegal) – The original jollof ancestor: rice cooked in a rich fish/veg broth; deep, layered flavor.

  3. Suya (Nigeria) – Street-style grilled beef (or chicken) dusted with peanut-chili spice; perfect with onions and tomatoes.

  4. Waakye (Ghana) – Rice and beans cooked together with spices; add shito (pepper sauce), stew, and gari on top—unbeatable combo.

  5. Egusi Soup (Nigeria) – Ground melon-seed stew, nutty and savory; fantastic with pounded yam, eba, or fufu.

  6. Light Soup + Fufu (Ghana) – Clean, aromatic broth with a soft, stretchy fufu; gentle heat and super comforting.

  7. Attiéké + Grilled Fish (Côte d’Ivoire) – Couscous-like cassava with charred fish, onions, and spicy relish; bright and fresh.

  8. Chicken Yassa (Senegal/Gambia) – Lemon-onion marinated chicken, slow-cooked till tender; tangy and addictive.

  9. Ndolé (Cameroon) – Bitterleaf and peanut stew that’s rich, savory, and perfect with plantains or cassava.

  10. Eru / Afang (Cameroon/Nigeria) – Herb-forward greens stew with crayfish and meats; earthy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

  11. Achu & Yellow Soup (Cameroon) – Pounded cocoyam with a spiced palm-oil “yellow” soup; special-occasion comfort.

  12. Ekwang / Ekpang Nkukwo (Cameroon/Nigeria) – Hand-wrapped grated cocoyam cooked in palm oil with seafood/meat; labor of love, huge payoff.

  13. Peppersoup (Nigeria/Ghana) – Fragrant broth (goat/fish/chicken) with warming spices; light yet full of character.

  14. Moi Moi / Moin Moin (Nigeria) – Steamed bean pudding (often with egg/fish); silky texture and gentle heat—great starter.

  15. Kelewele (Ghana) – Spiced fried ripe plantains (ginger, chili, clove); sweet-spicy snack you’ll crave again.


Great Sides & Snacks to Add

  • Puff-Puff / Bofrot – Fluffy fried dough balls; lightly sweet.

  • Gari (Cassava grains) – Sprinkle on stews/rice for crunch or make Gari Foto.

  • Kilishi – Paper-thin spicy dried beef; West Africa’s jerky.

  • Shito (Ghanaian chili sauce) – Smoky, umami-rich condiment that makes everything pop.


If you’re ready to dive in right away, here are three great DMV spots to start with:

  1. Bukom Café (Adams Morgan, DC) – A lively, music-filled spot that serves authentic Ghanaian classics like waakye, kelewele, and light soup with fufu. Great place to feel the vibe while you eat.

  2. Appioo African Bar & Grill (Shaw, DC) – Known for jollof rice, goat pepper soup, and egusi stew. Portions are generous, and the menu covers both beginner-friendly and adventurous picks.

  3. Safari Restaurant (Silver Spring, MD) – A cozy, family-run Ivorian/Cameroonian kitchen with attiéké, ndolé, and grilled fish that taste like home cooking.

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