Ghana is a West African country that became independent in 1957 but has maintained a rich cultural heritage. Ghana is known as one of the most culturally diverse countries in all of Africa, and that is reflected in its cuisine. Typical food staples in Ghana include Yams, rice, and beans, but sweet potato and spices are also commonly consumed items. Here is a list of the top Ghanaian foods that you must try.
1. Waakye. Cooked both in the home and served by roadside vendors, Waakye is a hugely popular dish prepared by boiling beans and rice together.
2. Jollof Rice. Similar to Waakye, Jollof Rice (also called Benachin) is rice cooked in tomato sauce along with hot peppers and vegetables. It’s sort of an African version of rice pilaf or paella, and is widely considered to be the origin of the Cajun dish Jambalaya.
3. Pepe. This food is typically prepared to be a sauce, and it is a spicy mixture of chili peppers and tomatoes.
4. Kelewele. This fried plantain is marinated in spices and deep fried. It was rated one of Lonely Planet’s top street foods in the entire world. In English, it is sometimes called Hot Plantain Crisps. In Africa, the dish is serviced primarily at night by Street Vendors.
5. Red Red. This is the most popular and well-known Ghanaian dish. It is a stew made from beans, and it gets its red color from the palm oil that they use to make the dish. Often, it is also prepared with tomato paste and black eyed beans.
Enjoy your trip to culinary Ghana!
