The 5 Tanzanian Dishes That You Have To Try

If you are taking a trip to Tanzania, there is a lot for you to do, see and eat. Tanzania food offers a lot of different dishes that you need to try while in the country. Some of the dishes might look like ones that you are used to, but others will be completely foreign.

Nyama Choma

When you translate Nyama Choma is literally means grilled meat and this is exactly what it is. The most common meat used for this dish will be goats’ meat that will normally be taken off the animal carcass and grilled in front of you. Once the meat is on the grill, it will be left to cook very slowly over hot coals which provide a smoky flavor to the meat.

When you eat this dish, you will notice that the meat is gamey and chewy when compared to the steaks back home. It is best to enjoy Nyama Choma with a group of friends and to take your time because a single plate can take 45 minutes to an hour to cook. However, there is nothing better than eating this dish while sipping a beer in the Tanzanian sun.

Mshikaki

Another meat dish that you have to try is Mshikaki which is skewered chunks of marinated meat that is cooked over open coals. This is a favorite street food in the country and you will often see it being sold in markets and in the small hours of the morning to party goers. It is recommended that you order a few plates, because you will find yourself wanting more.

Chipsi Mayai

The name of this dish is Swahili for chips and eggs and this dish is one of the most common comfort foods in the country. If you get this dish in the purest form, you will find that it is a French fry omelet. This is actually where the beauty of this dish lies because it is so simple.

It is important to note that the fries you find in Tanzania will be different to the ones that you are used to. They will generally be hand-cut and fresh before being fried until crispy yellow. You will be able to find this dish at most outdoor food stands and eateries.

Ugali

One of the staple foods in the country that you need to try is Ugali. This is an easy to cook food which is also very affordable. It is made with maize flour and water which is cooked slowly until it has a dough-like consistency.

The correct way to eat this dish will be the break a chunk of it off and roll it into a small ball in your hands before dunking it in your main dish. You will then pop the ball into your mouth and enjoy the flavors. It is important to note that Ugali is generally served as a side dish along with another main dish and will be served with most dishes. It is most commonly served with nyama choma and mchuzi.

Zanzibar Pizza

Zanzibar pizza is most popular on the island which provides the name. This pizza is actually one of the best dishes you will eat in the country and it all starts with the sheet of dough. This dough is filled with onions, peppers, meat, a slice of cheese and raw egg. This is all wrapped up and then placed in a pan to fry.

The pizza will come out crispy and chewy, similar to an oversized dumpling. There are many variations of the pizza for different times and occasions. Some will be filled with chocolate while others will be full of bananas.

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