If you plan to visit Tanzania, the greatest worry might be the kind of food you will find in the country. Tanzania experiences regular rainfalls and has fertile land that makes the environment suitable for various food ingredients. There are Italian, Indian, Chinese, and English restaurants in Tanzania with several diet flavors.
In this article, we’ve created an ultimate Tanzania food guide for foodies ranging from traditional to popular dishes in the countries.
What Are Food Habits in Tanzania?
Avoid eating in public
Even though eating is common in Tanzania, some traditions still stand up to today. It is not appropriate to eat while out, walking, or driving.
You can use your hands to eat
In Tanzania, ugali is a typical meal, and people consider using hands to eat rather than spoons and forks. However, you can feel free to use spoons or forks.
Washing your hands
It is a norm for Tanzanians to wash their hands before eating and immediately after.
What Are Examples of Food Dishes in Tanzania?
Tanzania breakfast
Even though bread and toast is the standard part of the breakfast, the Tanzania breakfast is accompanied by other delicacies worthy testing;
Mandazi
These are local doughnuts in Tanzania taking either rectangle or triangle shape. They are not sugar-coated, although delightful when accompanying some tea.
Vitambua
Vitumbua resembles fried rice cakes. They have a crispy outside and a warm, gooey rice pudding-like on the inner side.
Half Cakes
They are crunchy fried cakes which are mainly served when hot and fresh.
Main Dishes
Below are some of the ultimate food guides for foodies as far as main meals are concerned;
Ugali
Ugali is a food made up of maize flour and water. They’re mixed until they’ve reached a firm consistency that easily peels away from the pot’s sides. Among the traditional meals in Tanzania, ugali can never miss on the list. Ugali is served alongside vegetables, meat, greens, and beans. You just roll a small piece with your hands, scoop the stew, and then eat.
Pilau
In Tanzania, the making of pilau is done using species like cardamom, cumin seeds, cloves, black peppercorn, and cinnamon. The Tanzania pilau is not mixed with meat. The flavors used in making the pilau make it so tasty. You can try a homemade pilau because it feels more delicious than the restaurant one.
Chapati
The origin of chapati can be traced back to India, although Tanzania has adopted it and made it look like its traditional food through a change of recipe. Chapati in Tanzania will be thicker than the one from India.
Chips Mayai
In the local restaurants or the streets, you will find a French fries omelet popularly called Chips mayai in Tanzania. It is composed of fried potatoes and eggs binding on the top. Chips mayai is served with onion salad, tomatoes, and ketchup. It is a meal you can eat over and over.
Kachumbari
Kachumbari is a salad in Tanzania that can be served with any other dish. It is made up of onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Nyama Choma
Nyama Choma is a slice of roasted meat mainly found in the streets or restaurants. The meat is roasted on a grill using big coils. Then you will be served a piece of your choice.
Maharage ya nazi
These are beans that are cooked in a sauce with coconut milk. The aroma derived from the sauce smells delicious, and it’s so sweet when served with chapati or rice.
Mboga Majani
Mboga majani includes kale, collards, spinach, and any other greens. In Tanzania, people prepare their regular meals and add greens to spice them.
Conclusion
Interested in visiting Tanzania to enjoy the fantastic dishes, reach out to TripIndigo for bookings. More information on the ultimate Tanzania food guide for foodies can be found on the TripIndigo website.
