Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon is a central African country that is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and varied terrain. You can spare some of your time and visit the Waza National Park and get to see the amazing wildlife, the Dja Faunal Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lobe Falls majestic waterfall, the Reunification monument, and the Lobeke National park. There are a number of stunning vacation destinations and amazing restaurants that serve delicious local and exotic cuisines that will always leave you satisfied yet wanting more. Check out these top 10 best and most recommended traditional food to eat while in Cameroon.
1. Ekwang (spicy stew)
Enjoy a taste of this African delicacy that will make your mouth water. All it takes to prepare this delicious meal for your family is eight large cocoyams, six bunches of cocoyam leaves or spinach if preferred, 2 lbs (0.9 kg) of smoked fish or beef depending on your choice, one and a half cups of palm oil, two cups of crayfish, one habanero paper, one medium-sized chopped onions, one teaspoon of ground country onions, two tablespoons of blended garlic and ginger, three seasoning cubes and one teaspoon of salt. With all these ingredients and carefully followed instructions, you can enjoy this delicacy at home.
2. Jollof rice (one-pot rice)
Jollof rice is a popular pot of rice found in most of the West African countries. The dish is also called ‘Jollof’ or 'Benachin’. Making this flavorsome pot of rice is an easy five-step process. The ingredients used to prepare this dish includes five medium-sized tomatoes, one chopped red onion, two habanero peppers, a quarter cup of groundnut/peanut oil, three tablespoon tomato paste, two cups of parboiled rice, two and a half cups of chicken stock, one tablespoon of table salt, half a tablespoon of curry powder, a half tablespoon of thyme, one tablespoon of all-purpose seasoning and three bay leaves.
3. Water Fufu (starchy dish)
If you have interacted with an individual from any west African countries, you must have heard the word Fufu being uttered once or twice. Water fufu is also known as Cassava Fufu and is a popular meal loved by the local West African population. It can be found in some Caribbean countries as well. It is commonly served with an accompaniment of vegetable, beef or chicken stew and the combination can be quite a delight if prepared properly.
4. Safou a la Sauce Tomate (prunes in tomato sauce)
Prepare your mouth to be wowed by this amazing African dish from Cameroon. This amazing dish only takes a total of five minutes, meaning you can practically enjoy it at the comfort of your home and with the right ingredients you can prepare it no matter where you are in the world. The ingredients for this appetizing dish include 20 large soft prunes, fresh sweet tomatoes which have been peeled, drained and pureed, two tablespoons of peanut oil, a cup of cooked rice, one large grated lemon, one tablespoon of cardamom seeds, one tablespoon of sugar, salt and black pepper.
5. Meat pie
Most countries have their own type and versions of meat pie but have you ever tasted the meat pie from Cameroon. This unique and nutritious meat pie comes in an inviting small-shaped dumpling packed with amazing stuffing/filling that is full of flavor. The filling commonly consists of ground beef, one medium-sized chopped onion, one large grated carrot, sliced red bell peppers, seasonings of your choice. One can add sardine fillets, chopped parsley to the well-made meat pie dough. With these ingredients and a set of clear instructions, you can be on your way making a delicious snack for your family.
6. Mbongo Tchobi (African spicy black stew)
Mbogo Tchobi is a nutritious and delicious Cameroonian black stew. The look may not be appealing, but the taste will make you ask for an additional plate. You can choose to have it spicy or just plain and it can be a delight if you decide to take it with Fufu. It is practically prepared and sold almost everywhere in Cameroon. It will take you approximately one hour to prepare and cook this delish meal. The ingredients used consists of 3 lbs (1.5 kg) of white fish cut in steaks, half an onion, four large tomatoes, a quarter cup of parsley, half a cup of basil, four cloves, two green onions, one cup of vegetable oil, four tablespoons of Mbogo spice and salt to taste.
7. Koki corn (tamales)
Koki Corn is a delicious version of corn tamales. These African fresh corn tamales are made with corn, spinach, cornmeal and palm oil wrapped in a foil or banana leaves and then steamed. Koki Corn is truly a delight to those who are vegetarians and is very simple to prepare since it only requires four tasty ingredients. It takes a total of one hour and thirty minutes to prepare and cook this amazing delicacy and it can be the perfect snack.
8. Egusi soup with cabbage (cabbage melon soup)
As your bowl of delicious Egusi soup and cabbage is brought to your table you will feel your mouth water as you wait to enjoy your meal. This Cameroonian delicacy is a simple but delicious meal to prepare at home, even if you don’t have that top chef cooking skills. It can be a perfect accompaniment with rice or the popular Fufu. To make this delish dish all you need is one and a half cup of meat this can be beef, chicken turkey or a combination of all chopped into small pieces, three minced garlic, three chopped tomatoes, egusi, half a cup of smashed crayfish and shredded cabbage. With these ingredients, you can make a meal fit to serve five to six people.
9. Kati Kati (African grill chicken)
If you haven’t grabbed yourself a plate of this finger-licking dish, then you have no idea what you are missing. It takes time and patience to make this amazing meal as it is sweeter if prepared the traditional way. To prepare this mouthwatering and flavorsome dish you need chicken cut into preferred pieces, one and a quarter teaspoon of table salt, one tablespoon of onion powder, one tablespoon of white pepper, half tablespoon cayenne pepper, one teaspoon bouillon powder, two fresh tomatoes, half cup water, and chicken bouillon to taste.
10. Ndole (spinach and peanut stew)
This amazing Cameroonian dish is basically a combination of spinach or bitter leaves and peanut soup. This delicacy is ever present in a Cameroonian party and is always the first dish to be served on the table. It takes a total of one hour and ten minutes to be prepared and cooked and all you need to prepare this meal at home is one cup of peanuts, shrimp, stockfish, beer, four garlic cloves, one large onion, two tablespoon of bouillon, one pound of spinach and three cups of cooking oil.
A taste of Cameroon delicacies
Get out of your comfort zone and sample one of these amazing Cameroonian meals that will entice your taste buds. Let your mouth explode with flavor as you get to experience a unique taste only found in Cameroon.