Uganda Food Safari : Uganda is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa for her fantastic natural attractions. Wildlife viewing (Primates and wildlife) is a popular activity that tourists can experience during their visit. A number of restaurants that serve international cuisines have sprouted all over Uganda in the past years, thanks in part to the volume of tourists that go there yearly. However, a visit to the country would not be complete without trying out the Uganda cuisine.
While some dishes are influenced by English, Asian, and Arab cuisines, there are local unique foods originating from the different tribes, featuring their own specialties. Staple foods form different tribes include starchy food and root crops such as potatoes, beans, bananas, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Below are some some of the top Ugandan delicious cuisine that you should look out on your travel if you are planning to travel to Uganda.
Luwombo – It’s like eating royalty. One of Uganda’s greatest meals is said to have developed in the late nineteenth century in the Buganda Kingdom by Kabaka Mwanga’s personal chef. Congratulations to that chef for creating a work of art that has provided delight to so many people and generations from all over the world. Luwombo can be accompanied by Matoke, Rice, Posho or Cassava
Katogo – this is one of the dishes had in the morning as breakfast. “Katogo” literally translates to “mixing.” So it’s a mixture of different foods. It is essentially a concoction of many meals cooked together. Katogo goes well with fresh salad or avocado. The combination of these various meals results in a delightfully delectable result that will keep you satiated until late afternoon.
Muchomo – This is what meat aficionados would refer to as “paradise.” Roasted meat has become a staple in Uganda, appearing in high-end restaurants as well as roadside stands in every town. Muchomo has a wonderful and crispy flavor and is typically served with fresh salad or chips (fries). Muchomo is a delicious way to indulge on a diet cheat day.
Matooke – this is a traditional Ugandan dish and a staple cuisine for the majority of the Bantu tribes. There are miles of lush plantain fields in Western Uganda; these are seen during the drives on a Uganda safari. Matoke is served with any sauce including beef stew, beans, fish and chicken stew just to mention a few. However, it can also be cooked with its peelings if one is enjoying it with muchomo or other grilled meats.
Kikalayi – You have not had pork until you have had ‘kikalaya.’ The title refers to the large and robust locally produced frying pans used in the preparation. Kikalayi is best when shared with friends, which is why it is presented in a grand manner on a large round tray with optional red chili. If you like pork, kikalayi is something you should try.
Posho – this is one of Uganda’s most popular and inexpensive meals. It is produced from maize flour that has been soaked in boiling hot water until it hardens. Posho may be eaten with any sauce, but our top choice is with fresh beans.
Rolex (Rolled Eggs) – A local Uganda rolex is basically a chapati rolled in fried eggs. A Rolex is a delicacy that may be consumed at any hour of the day. The Rolex is so distinctive that virtually every Ugandan has a favourite “Rolex guy,” and this comes with a certain kind of loyalty. A Rolex may be found on nearly every roadside in the country’s tiny communities. Yes, you can only find a cheap Rolex in Uganda. Chapati is a popular side dish, particularly in restaurants. This is often sliced into triangular shapes and served as a side dish with your main course. A chapati can also be eaten apart from the main course, as an addition to your morning or evening tea.
Roasted Maize – A snack that may be eaten at any time of day. Fresh maize is gently cooked over medium heat until both sides are browned. Because fresh maize is used, roasted maize is seasonal and may be unavailable at certain periods of the year.
Sim Sim and groundnuts sauce – Sim-sim cookies are a dessert that may remind many Westerners of peanut brittle, only this treat is cooked with sesame seeds instead of peanuts. Groundnut Sauce (Binyebwa) is not at all like peanut butter. The g-nut sauce may be served with a wide variety of meals.
TV Chicken – This is a delicious Ugandan dish that is popular among college students and the younger generation because it is roasted in a rotisserie oven that resembles a television. You’ll most likely find delicious TV chicken options for sale at roadside booths and restaurants alike, frequently paired with salads, smoked bananas, and French fries.
Chaloko – Every culture has its comfort foods, and chaloko is one of them. Chaloko is a traditional Uganda food dish that is made with pinto beans, green peppers, tomatoes, and red or purple onions. You are not doing this Ugandan Dish right unless you eat it with posho, which makes it fill up your belly all nice and satisfying.
Mandazi – If you are in the mood for something sweet, mandazi should hit the spot for you. Similar to a donut minus the hole, mandazi is a fried bread that is sweetened with coconut milk and shaped into circles or triangles. Sometimes, sugar and cinnamon are added as well. You can eat mandazi by itself or by dipping it in tea, juice, or fruit dip.
Nsenene – These are a popular dish of fried grasshoppers that are often sold in pubs and roadside eateries. You can only get this popular snack during the rainy season, particularly in November. Before being fried in the grasshoppers’ natural oils, the insects’ wings and legs are removed. You may see some market and roadside vendors selling the grasshoppers in plastic tubs that you can buy and fry yourself. In pubs, you may be served this treat with your beer.
Where to find the Uganda foods
Roadside Eateries – You will find most roadside eateries in the busy parts of small-town centers. Food is cheaper here and usually consists of roasted meat, TV chicken, chapatis, Rolexes, and fresh vegetables and fruits such as plantains, yams, and cassava.
Markets – Since the markets are where villagers bring their home-grown products to sell on a daily basis, you will find the likes of fresh potatoes, bananas, beans, peas, and cassava as well as beef, chicken, and fish. You may also find some vendors at markets selling pre-cooked dishes such as matoke, Rolex and TV chicken.
Restaurants – Restaurants are good places to sit down and savor traditional Uganda food dishes such as luwombo, chaloko and chickennat.
In conclusion, experiencing a country’s cuisine is all a part of the whole travel experience and this is every bit true for Uganda. Trying the country’s different foods offers you an overall feel of its heart and soul. So, which of the dishes on this list are you most eager to sample?
