UNMISSABLE TANZANIA FOOD
Posted 1 year ago, to African Tourism Events 1 comments

Tanzania is a diverse blend of cultures with over 120 ethnic groups, which are all reflected across their music, art, language and – of course – its food! With varied mainland and the islands, the cooking are both unique and delicious. All over the country, there are hundreds of humble cafes and upscale restaurants serving both traditional Tanzania dishes in a more modern, innovative styles. While Tanzanian cuisine might be shy of such worldwide endorsement if you believe that the little delights count the most, hop on-board as we count out all the lip-smacking local delicacies that you should not miss while traversing Tanzania. The list starts with:-

Ugali 

Ugali is the most common staple food in Tanzania due to its ease of cooking and affordability. Maize flour and water are the main ingredients in this popular side dish. Maize flour and water is cooked slowly until it reaches a dough-like consistency, after which it’s left for a moment to set before being eaten. It is popularly served with nyama choma, but teams up well with any main course. It is usually offered with a sauce consisting of either fish, meat, cooked vegetables or beans. It can be an odd food to get used to but once you do it can be strangely addictive. Watch out!

Chipsi Mayai

Chipsi mayai is Swahili translate for “chips and eggs” and is a favourite comfort food in Tanzania, In its purest form it is nothing more than a french fries omelette, but that’s exactly where the beauty lies – in its simplicity. You may also notice that french fries in Tanzania are a little different to the west – always made with fresh, hand-cut and peeled potatoes and fried to a crispy yellow. You’ll find chipsi mayai sold at most eateries and outdoor food stands, and locals usually enjoy eating it with toothpicks and a squirt of ketchup. So if you’re looking for a quick munch, you know what to pick!

Nyama Choma

In Tanzania, any gathering is an excuse for eating nyama choma, Swahili for “roast/Grilled meat." From the finest restaurants to roadside shacks, grilled goat meat is served up as a kind of social lubricant, often aided by copious amounts of the local beer. Normally the meat will be hacked off the carcass and thrown on the grill right in front of you, so you definitely know it’s fresh. Once on the grill it’s left to cook very slowly over some hot coals, giving it a wonderful smoky flavour. You’ll also notice the meat is chewy, gamey and bursting with flavour, a big contrast to the soft and tender steaks you’ll get in the west. The goats aren’t babied in a farm and the meat is not aged, and this is exactly how the locals like it. Nyama choma is best enjoyed with a group of friends; a plate can take up to 45 minutes to an hour to cook, so it’s common for a group to come together and have a few drinks and chat while the goat sits on the grill. As you’ll find out, sitting around a table with friends chewing on goat and sipping on beer is a great way to spend a sunny African afternoon.

Zanzibar pizza

Popular on the Zanzibar island from which it draws it’s name, Zanzibar Pizza is probably one of the most interesting and delicious food you should probably try while on the Tanzanian island of Unguja and pemba in Zanzibar. In preparing it,  the vendors flatten a ball of dough, layer on another smaller piece of dough to reinforce it, then pile on as many meats, sweets, spices, and vegetables as their imaginations allow. Popular savoury combinations include ground beef, chicken, and mushrooms or the vegetarian option mayo, processed soft, white cheese, chopped veggies, and egg. Those with a sweet tooth might opt for Zanzibar pizzas stuffed with Nutella or mango and cheese. After folding up the sides, vendors then fry their creations on a hot tava (a large, flat or concave frying pan) in ghee (clarified butter) until crispy. When they’re ready, the pizzas are slid onto a paper plate and smothered with fresh, spicy mango-chili sauce ready for a taste. One of the best palaces to have this tasty experience is in Forodhani Garden, which transforms into an open-air food market as the sun set every evening. Here you will come across Zanzibar pizza makers pan-frying their crispy, but stuffed snacks with pride waiting for your order.

Zanzibar pizza is similar to Nairobi’s mkate wa nyama (meat bread), or the stuffed grilled pancakes (mutabbaq) made in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, and India. But what makes a Zanzibar pizza unique are its local sauce, its meshing of styles, and its playful stuffing combinations.

Mahindi ya kuchoma

With all the brightest gems found on the streets, you will be amazed every single time you taste something on the streets. When it comes too our recommendation, Mahindi ya kuchoma are the best to give a try. Mahindi ya kuchoma is a Swahili word referring to “Grilled corn”. It is a unique and a delicious style of eating corn that is mostly common in Tanzania. Honestly, this is of no trace to be found in restaurants and if you are lucky enough to find it, the taste and price will be different compared to eating it from the street vendor. Drizzled with lime and a bit of pepper makes it the perfect snack, especially while having an evening walk on the streets.