Taste The Rwandan Food 

By: Zainab Mekky

The cuisine of Rwanda, a landlocked country in the heart of East Africa, is based on local staple foods produced by subsistence agriculture such as bananas (known as ibitoke), legumes, sweet potatoes, beans and cassava (manioc). Many Rwandans do not eat meat more than a few times a month.

Grilled tilapia:
It is an essential and indispensable dish in the Rwandan dinner meal.
Tilapia is famous in Rwanda and many African countries and is known as the “big fish.” One fish is enough for about 2 or 3 people. You can also choose the size of the fish that is appropriate for you If you are in a restaurant, for example, it is a very delicious meal because it is cooked in a different way that makes you fall in love with smoked foods and fish as it features onions, garlic, carrots and spices.

Brochettes: “Rwandan meat skewers"
Brochettes is a national dish in Rwandan cuisine,  French colonialists introduced these grilled skewers to Rwanda, but the Rwandans changed them a little. So you can pick up skewers of meat, fish, onions, and vegetables marinated in spices and grilled over charcoal very easily from the streets and restaurants in Rwanda, and they are also served with French fries and a special sauce, which is “Pili-Pili.”

Sambaza: "fried fish"

This dish can be served as an appetizer or served as a dish with rice, with mayonnaise or pili pili sauces, It is a delicious experience for lovers of small fish, as they are silver in color, as these fish are caught from fresh water in the lakes of Rwanda using traditional methods.

Igisafurya “chicken with banana and vegetables”

This soup is an excellent combination of chicken, bananas and some vegetables, and these ingredients are cooked together in one pot, to feel the flavor of tomatoes, onions and vegetables.

Agatogo: "Vegetable Stew with Banana"

Goat and chicken are the most common types of meat used in this dish, and to make it thicker, some water is added to the bowl, and it is eaten with rice or fried bread.

Department of vegetarian dishes.
This section is very suitable for vegetarians.

Ugali "Cassava porridge"

It is a dish with which you start your day in the morning, and it is often eaten with curry or sauce to enhance its flavor, and this recipe appeared on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. This dish is not only traditional in Rwanda, but is spread in Tanzania, Kenya and others.

Matoke (green banana Mash)

It is a famous African recipe. It has a very unique taste and consists of bananas and the attractive smell of matoke. It is a very useful meal as it contains potassium elements that benefit blood pressure. It is widespread in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Isombe “cassava leaf stew”

It is a popular dish in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a mixture of cassava leaves with distinctive flavors and is usually eaten with rice or porridge in addition to the flavor of beef broth and vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes, eggplant and sweet pepper with a little peanut butter, Enjoy a new experience.

Kachumbari "African tomato and onion salad"

It is a fresh salad made of tomatoes and onions. You can find different forms of this salad in the cuisine of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa.  It is also distinguished by the addition of avocado, cucumber, coriander, lemon juice and vodka.

Sweets section
Mandazi "African Doughnuts"

If you are looking for a delicious dessert in Rwanda, mandazi is the perfect fit. It is very similar to regular cakes but has a stronger sweetness with additional ingredients,  After frying, it is covered in honey, sugar and peanut butter.

Sources:
- lacademie.com/rwandan-food
- travelfoodatlas.com/rwandan-food
- linkedin.com/visit-rwanda