A Traditional Taste of Tanzania

A Traditional Taste of Tanzania 

By Sarah Dean

 

Did you know that Tanzania grows around 17 different types of bananas? They can be used for soup, chips and stews.  

Cuisines in Tanzania vary from region to region. Spicy foods and the use of coconut milk are common along the coastal regions but in the mainland region they consume different foods. You’ll find a variety of meats and vegetables used, such as, beef, fish, which can be grilled and marinated with green peas, cassava leaves and spinach. This is served with rice and spices.  

Tanzania also has Indian influences since a large community of Indians migrated to the country.  

 

Breakfast 

Like most countries, breakfast is light and basic. Some common foods you would see for breakfast in Tanzania is maandazi which is fried doughnut or chapati which is a type of flatbread. To accompany these dishes in the morning people often drink a cup of chai.  

 

 

Lunch and dinner 

At about 1pm it’s lunch time in Tanzania and there are many great dishes to choose from. Indian flatbread is almost always served on the side of any meal, especially chapatis. Along with rice and vegetables, particularly mchina which is a type of spinach to make the meal. To finish of this meal, you could order grilled meat, fish or chicken or add something fried.  

 

 

Snacks 

The most popular snack on the market in Tanzania is samosas. Again, brought over from India and can be found in restaurants or street markets. You get meat and vegetarian versions too. 

 

 

There are great and flavoursome street foods found across Tanzania. Chipsi mayai is a staple street food which is a combination of French fries and eggs which fry together to make something similar to an omelette. Another popular street food dish is mshikaki which is skewered pieces of marinated meat like beef. It is slowly cooked over hot coal and marinated spices.