1. Jollof Rice
This iconic one-pot rice dish is cooked with tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices, often served with fried chicken, fish, or beef. It is a staple at gatherings and can be found widely .
Top 6 Dishes to Try in Ghana
Ghanaian cuisine offers a vibrant exploration of flavors, deeply rooted in its diverse cultural heritage and influenced by indigenous tribes, as well as historical trade connections. Dishes typically feature a harmonious blend of savory, spicy, tangy, and sometimes sweet notes.
Staple ingredients include starchy foods like plantains, cassava, yam, corn, and beans, complemented by fresh seafood, various meats, and a rich array of local herbs and spices such as ginger, garlic, hot peppers, and red palm oil. Soups and stews form the heart of many meals, often characterized by their deep red or orange hues from tomatoes and hot peppers.
For those seeking culinary experiences, Ghana offers various establishments catering to different preferences and budgets. For the most authentic and budget-friendly options, exploring street food vendors is highly recommended. These bustling stalls provide quick, fresh, and affordable meals, from snacks like Kelewele to more substantial dishes like Waakye.
Mid-range dining often takes place in 'chop bars,' traditional informal eateries deeply embedded in local culture, where one can enjoy hearty Ghanaian comfort food in a communal atmosphere. Examples include Asanka Local and The Chop Bar, offering traditional dishes at reasonable prices.
For a more upscale experience, particularly in major cities like Accra, a selection of fine dining restaurants offers a blend of refined Ghanaian and international cuisines in elegant settings, such as La Chaumière or Chapter One at Villa Monticello.
2. Waakye
A hearty breakfast or lunch dish combining rice and beans, typically served with spaghetti, fried plantains, gari (cassava flakes), and a spicy tomato-based stew or pepper sauce called shito .
3. Fufu with Soup
A popular dough-like staple made by pounding boiled cassava and plantains (or yam) into a soft, sticky paste. It is traditionally eaten by hand with various flavorful soups such as light soup, groundnut soup, or rich palm nut soup, often containing meat, fish, or snails .
4. Banku with Tilapia
This dish features fermented corn and cassava dough, molded into balls, often served alongside grilled tilapia and a spicy pepper sauce. It is a favored meal, particularly in coastal areas .
5. Kelewele
A popular street food or side dish consisting of ripe plantains seasoned with ginger, cloves, and chili peppers, then deep-fried until golden . It offers a delightful sweet and spicy contrast .
6. Kenkey and Fried Fish
Fermented corn dough, formed into balls, wrapped in corn leaves, and boiled . This local delicacy is typically served with fried fish and a hot pepper sauce .
