Good evening, Garrireadygal aficionados!
Tonight, let’s take a flavorful trip through the bustling streets of West Africa and explore its vibrant street food culture. From savory snacks to sweet treats, West African street food offers an exciting array of flavors and textures. Get ready to discover the best street foods you simply must try!
Savory Delights: Savor the Streets
West African street food is all about bold flavors and hearty portions. Here are some must-try savory street foods:
Akara (Kosai)
These savory fried black-eyed bean cakes are a popular breakfast and snack food throughout West Africa. The ground beans are mixed with pepper, onions and spices before being fried in hot palm oil until golden brown. Akara are best enjoyed piping hot, often with a dollop of chili powder or gari or Pap/Eko. Because it is Fried crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, it is a favorite in Nigeria and Ghana.
Moi Moi
A cooked bean pudding made from blended peeled or Unpeeled beans, onions, and a blend of spices, molded in between folded leaves or small bowls or nylons.
Chichinga (Suya)
Grilled skewered meat seasoned with a spicy peanut mix, popular in Nigeria. It is also a Ubiquitous kebab made from goat, beef or sometimes snails, often slathered in a fiery hot tomato sauce or Maggi seasoning. In Nigeria, suya refers to beef kebabs or skewered grilled meat coated in a crunchy ground peanut crust with ginger, garlic, paprika and onion powder.
Jollof Rice
A one-pot rice dish made with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, chili peppers, garlic, ginger and spices like cumin and paprika. Jollof rice is a beloved staple across West Africa, usually served with grilled meat or fish.
Sweet Treats: Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
For those with a sweet tooth, West African street food doesn’t disappoint. Some popular sweet treats include:
Chin Chin
A Crunchy, deep-fried dried out dough bits, often enjoyed during festive seasons.
A common street food from Nigeria, chin chin can be sweet or savory, hard and crunchy or soft and chewy. The dough is cut into small squares and fried in hot oil, often seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg or orange. Chin chin makes a great snack or party food.
Kelewele
Spiced fried plantains, often served with peanuts, spices, chili or ginger, perfect for a quick snack. The combination of sweet plantains and fiery spices makes kelewele an irresistible West African street food.
Puff Puff
A doughnut-like fried dough snack known as puff puff in Nigeria, bofrot in Ghana, and beignets in French-speaking countries. These sweet treats are popular for breakfast or as a snack, sometimes sprinkled with sugar. Savory versions are also available. It is deep-fried dough balls, often dusted with powdered sugar.
From savory bean cakes to sweet fried dough, West African street food offers a delicious array of flavors and textures that showcase the diversity of the region’s culinary traditions. Don’t miss these iconic street food sensations on your travels through West Africa.
Keywords:
- West African street food
- Suya
- Puff-Puff
- Kelewele
- Moi Moi
Join the Conversation
Have you tried any of these street foods? Which ones are your favorites? Share your street food experiences and recipes in the comments below, tag your photos with #garrireadygal, or email us at garrireadygal@gmail.com.
Thanks for joining us on this culinary adventure. Stay tuned for more affordable and delicious discoveries! XOXO
Your favorite
GRG
Garrireadygal 