Food in Tanzania is exceptionally rich in flavor, diversity, and tradition, reflecting its multicultural roots and breathtaking landscapes. From spice-rich, meaty dishes to delicious meals made from vegetables, there’s something here that would please every palate. Get a taste of Tanzanian tradition with these!
12 Traditional Tanzanian Dishes You Must Try
1. Ugali
A true cornerstone of Tanzanian cuisine, ugali is the country’s national dish and most popular staple food. It’s a dense, dough-like dish made from maize (cornmeal) flour and water and typically served with fish.
It has a firm consistency that makes it perfect for scooping up sauces, stews, and curries. It’s beloved by locals for its simplicity and versatility, with some eating it almost every day!
2. Nyama Choma
Meaning “roasted meat”, nyama choma is beef or goat meat marinated in spices before being grilled in an open flame. It’s a favorite among Tanzanians, especially during local gatherings.
Smoky, savory, and satisfying, locals pair it with vegetables like onions, potatoes, or spinach, and cold beer to complement it.
3. Pilau
One of the most popular dishes in the Zanzibar area is heavily influenced by Indian cuisine. Pilau is an aromatic rice dish cooked with various spices like cloves, black peppercorns, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon.
It’s often served with beef, chicken, lamb, or vegetable mains on special occasions, such as birthdays and weddings.
4. Wali Wa Nazi
Meaning “coconut rice” in Swahili, this aromatic side dish is prepared by cooking rice with ingredients such as coconut milk, water, spices, and a pinch of salt. It pairs wonderfully with curries and stews, especially seafood ones. Wali wa nazi is as flavorful as it is comforting!
5. Mshikaki
A street food favorite of all age groups, mshikaki are skewers of marinated beef or chicken slowly grilled over charcoal to lock in their delicious flavors.
People often enjoy this popular snack with roasted potatoes, fried cassava, or smoked plantains, and pair it with spicy dips, though it can easily become a complete meal with rice. Bars, clubs, and grocery stores across the country sell mshikaki.
6. Supu Ya Ndizi
Locals prepare this delicious and comforting dish by mashing green bananas, mixing them with chicken broth, and cooking them into a thick stew. Some flavor it with coconut milk and spices instead. Served with rice and eaten with meat or fish, it’s a popular dish in coastal areas.
7. Wali Na Maharage
Wali na maharage, meaning rice and beans, serves as a hearty dinner option and features prominently at social gatherings like weddings, funerals, and festivals.
Often flavored with seasonings and cooked with vegetables (like carrots and tomatoes), it’s one of the top vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available for those with dietary restrictions.
8. Mchuzi Wa Samaki
This delectable seafood stew is very popular in the coastal areas of East Africa. Locals make mchuzi wa samaki by simmering whole or filleted fresh fish in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, coconut milk, onions, and garlic, sometimes enhancing it with curry powder or lemon juice.
Different areas will use other types of fish in this stew, infusing it with a unique flavor profile that locals love.
9. Mchicha
Cooks prepare mchicha, a dish made from a leafy green vegetable called amaranth, by quickly sautéing it with onions or by adding tomatoes, milk, and groundnut paste (peanut butter) for flavor.
Others use spinach or cassava leaves in place of amaranth. Mchicha pairs wonderfully well with rice, ugali, or biryani, and is a great vegetarian option in a meat-heavy cuisine.
10. Zanzibar Pizza
A playful yet popular Tanzanian food sold by street vendors, Zanzibar pizza is a pan-fried, stuffed flatbread made from wheat flour and filled with meat, aromatics, black pepper, vegetables, and cheese.
Locals usually enjoy it with a sauce made from mango and chili. Despite its name, this dish more closely resembles a savory crepe than an actual pizza.
11. Mandazi
Mandazi are like fluffy, slightly sweet doughnuts flavored with coconut milk, spices, and sugar. People often eat them as a breakfast item alongside oatmeal and coffee, or enjoy them as a snack with beans, accompanied by beverages such as fresh juice, a cup of tea, or a glass of soda.
12. Coconut Curry
Rich and aromatic, coconut curry combines chicken or fresh seafood like fish and octopus, simmering them in coconut milk with fresh vegetables and a blend of spices.
Locals enjoy it with wali wa nazi or plain rice. Full of warmth and flavor, this dish is a staple of Tanzanian cuisine.
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