16 delicious national dish recipes from around the world
Muamba de Galinha is the national dish of Angola, a rich and flavorful chicken stew braised in palm oil (dendê) with tender chunks of chicken, sweet butternut squash, okra, and a hint of heat from Scotch bonnet peppers. It's traditionally served with funge, a cassava porridge.
Seswaa, also known as Chotlho, is Botswana's national dish. It's a slow-cooked, pounded meat dish, traditionally made with beef on the bone, salt, and water. The meat is cooked until extremely tender, then shredded or pounded until it resembles pulled meat. It's often served with pap (a stiff maize porridge) and is a staple at celebrations and gatherings.
Ndole is a rich and flavorful Cameroonian stew, often considered the national dish. It features bitter leaves (or spinach as a substitute) cooked with a creamy peanut paste, and is typically enhanced with ingredients like crayfish, onions, garlic, ginger, and a protein such as beef, fish, or shrimp. The dish is known for its unique balance of earthy bitterness from the leaves and the savory, nutty richness of the peanuts.
A luxurious Comorian national dish featuring tender lobster poached in a delicate vanilla-infused sauce, often enriched with butter, shallots, and white wine. It's a testament to the islands' rich seafood and vanilla production.
Poulet Moambé, also known as Moambe Chicken, is considered the national dish of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's a rich and flavorful stew made with chicken simmered in a sauce of red palm oil, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and often enriched with peanut butter. The dish has a distinctive earthy and savory taste, with a hint of spice. It's traditionally served with fufu, rice, or fried plantains.
Skoudehkaris is a flavorful and aromatic one-pot lamb and rice dish from Djibouti, featuring tender chunks of lamb cooked in a spiced tomato-based sauce and layered with fragrant basmati rice. It's considered the national dish of Djibouti and is often prepared for special occasions.
Egypt's national dish - a hearty and flavorful vegetarian layered meal of rice, lentils, and pasta, generously topped with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.
Koshary is Egypt's beloved national dish, a hearty and flavorful street food classic. It's a comforting medley of rice, brown lentils, and pasta, generously topped with a zesty, spiced tomato sauce, tangy vinegar-garlic dressing, and finished with a crown of incredibly crispy fried onions. A true celebration of textures and tastes.
Om Ali is a rich and decadent Egyptian bread pudding, often considered the national dessert. It features layers of flaky pastry, dried fruits, nuts, and shredded coconut, all baked in a creamy, sweet milk mixture until golden and bubbling.
Om Ali is Egypt's beloved national dessert, a rich and creamy bread pudding made with flaky puff pastry, infused with fragrant milk and cream, and studded with crunchy nuts. It's a comforting and decadent treat perfect for any occasion.
Poulet Nyembwe, Gabon's national dish, is a rich and savory chicken stew cooked in a flavorful sauce made from palm nuts. It's known for its tender chicken and the unique, earthy taste of the nyembwe sauce.
Domoda is the national dish of Gambia, a hearty and flavorful peanut stew often made with beef or chicken, tomatoes, and vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. It's a comforting and rich dish that reflects the importance of peanuts in Gambian cuisine.
The national dish of Senegal, widely enjoyed in Gambia, Thieboudienne is a flavorful one-pot meal of fish, rice, and vegetables cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce.
A rich and flavorful national dish of Guinea-Bissau, Caldo de Mancarra is a hearty stew made with chicken, peanuts, tomatoes, and spices. It's often served with rice and represents a significant part of the country's culinary heritage.
A beloved national dish of Guinea, Poulet Yassa features chicken marinated in a tangy and aromatic blend of lemon, onions, garlic, and spices, then braised to tender perfection. It's known for its distinctive sweet and sour flavor profile.
Romazava is considered the national dish of Madagascar. It's a hearty and aromatic stew made with a combination of beef, pork, and chicken, simmered with a variety of leafy greens in a savory tomato broth. It's typically served with rice and can be customized with chili for added heat.
