The 6 best dishes of Uganda

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To help you with your Stay in Uganda not miss the best dishes, we present them to you today. Ugandan dishes are composed of a mixture of Arabic, Asian and English flavors.

Delicious, healthy and of high quality, that is what characterizes the cuisine of Uganda, because the ingredients can all be obtained from local agriculture. The main ingredients used are cassava, soy, vegetables, fruits, nuts, as well as fish and various meats.

Unlike the urban population of Uganda, locals from rural areas usually grow their own food. As a result, the following dishes have become established as Uganda's specialties.

The Best Dishes of Uganda

Matooke

Vegetables such as plantain, potato and sweet potato are considered the basis of Ugandan food. This is also visible in the Ugandan national dish matooke. This dish consists mainly of plantain porridge. It is prepared from green, peeled plantains, which are then mashed and boiled, or traditionally cooked in banana leaves. The porridge is then served in combination with peanut sauce, beans, chicken or beef. To enhance this dish, spices such as green pepper, onion, garlic, coriander, curry, ginger, chili and milk are used. The result is a delicious meal that you can try anywhere in the country.

The Best Dishes of Uganda

Luwombo

This authentic dish is mainly prepared on special occasions, which is due to the elaborate preparation. Luwombo or Oluwombo is one of the best dishes in Uganda and is often eaten in restaurants to avoid the elaborate preparation. This dish hides fish, meat, vegetables, nuts and sauce, in a banana leaf. This leaf is carefully gathered into a pouch and then cooked over fire for up to six hours. The peanut sauce adds a special touch to this dish.

Best dishes Uganda

Ugali

Another very traditional East African dish is ugali, a type of porridge made from cornmeal. Ugali is also known as nsima and is considered a staple food of indigenous peoples of East Africa. This dish, unlike luwombo, is very simple and quick to prepare. Only maize flour or maize meal is needed to make it. Porridge is cooked from it, which is served as a kind of ball, both hot and cold. Vegetable and/or meat stew is eaten as a side dish. Inhabitants, who live at the Lake Victoria, enjoy the corn porridge also with fish. Ugali can even be eaten hardened, by cutting the porridge into slices and letting them dry.

The Best Dishes of Uganda

Nsenene

A somewhat unusual dish is Nsenene, which consists of fried and salted locusts. With the rainy season, the locusts also invade Uganda, which makes this delicacy possible. This dish is therefore enjoyed seasonally and is available at street stalls during this time. In terms of taste, fried locusts are compared to crispy chicken skin.

Would you dare to try this specialty? 

Nswaa

Another delicacy is fried termites. You can also find this snack of insects at street stalls in Uganda. They are also offered by some restaurants. Also during the rainy season, the termites are collected and then refined with various spices. A common way to prepare nswaa termites is to season them with garlic, tomatoes, canola oil, onions, chili and salt. Nswaa can also be eaten as a meal, for which the fried insects are usually drizzled with some lemon juice and eaten with ugali. Due to the high nutritional value of termites, Nswaa is popular with many people throughout the country.

The Best Dishes of Uganda

Mkate Na Mayai

This dish has Arabic origin and literally means bread and eggs. 

Behind it is wheat dough, which is formed into a thin patty, filled with minced meat and raw egg, and then folded into a parcel. The parcel is then fried in a pan. Arabic cuisine is present in many parts of the country, although only a minority of the population is Muslim. Other examples include samosas, chapati, or curries made from various meats and vegetables, which are very popular among the Ugandan population.

The Best Dishes of Uganda

Appetite for more?

Now that you've had a closer look at Ugandan national cuisine, your Adventure in Uganda nothing more in the way. The variety of dishes, together with the healthy ingredients distinguishes the country's cuisine and allows you to dive into a whole new world of taste. 

In our magazine you will find tips for the best time to travel and the ultimate packing list for your Uganda adventure. For your daily dose of travel inspiration we provide on InstagramPinterest and also with digital postcards

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