Uganda is a unique place full of vibrant cultures, fascinating people, and delicious foods. Uganda’s flavorful dishes are more than enough to earn Uganda a space on your bucket list. Uganda has several mouthwatering recipes indigenous to East Africa, so don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine on your next trip there! While planning your trip, take a look at some of Uganda’s most popular dishes.
It is common in Uganda to sit on the floor and eat with your hands. Because of this, many Uganda dishes do not require utensils. Visitors are always expected to join the family for a meal. The following meals have been passed down through generations of Ugandan people, waiting to be discovered. Continue reading to learn about some of Uganda’s most popular dishes.
Matoke
As the national dish of Uganda, Matoke earns the first spot in this Uganda Food Guide. Matoke refers to plantain bananas indigenous to southwest Uganda. The most common way to make Matoke is by cooking and mashing it. Matoke is very similar to a banana, but it is often steamed in plantain leaves and served with meat. Since plantains are such a popular crop in Uganda, Matoke is very common and easy to find. This dish is perfect for those wanting to fully immerse themselves in Ugandan culture. Matoke can be served in a variety of ways, making it the perfect dish for even the pickiest of eaters.
Chapati
Chapati is a popular side dish in Uganda. It is a type of unleavened flatbread that is very similar to a tortilla. This side is very versatile and can be served with several different entrees, such as meat, beans, or vegetables. Chapati is most often paired with an East African dish called Rolex. Ugandan chapati differs from Indian chapati because it is made with all-purpose flour instead of whole-wheat flour. Find a quick and easy recipe for making your own East African Chapati here.
Rolex
Rolex is a popular breakfast item served in Uganda. It is very similar to a breakfast wrap or burrito. It is made by combining an egg omelette with vegetables wrapped in a chapati. The term “rolex” comes from how the dish is prepared, with the omelette and chapati rolled up together. While in Uganda, Rolex can be found on many street corners, making it a perfect meal to eat on the go.
Kikomando
Kikomando is a popular Ugandan dish that features chapati and fried beans. Other alternatives of Kikomando include avocado, meat, or vegetable stew. This meal is served in both street stalls and restaurants, making it very easy to find. This dish is perfect for travelers on a budget because it is very inexpensive.
Ugali
Ugali is a thick porridge made from white maize, which is the most common staple starch featured in the local cuisine. It is cooked to a stiff consistency and is usually served with meat or vegetable stews. Ugali is eaten by pulling balls of mush off and using them to scoop up the accompanying sides, working as an edible utensil.
Katogo
Katogo is one of Uganda’s oldest and most traditional breakfast dishes. It contains matoke and a variety of meats. Katogo is extremely popular in Uganda, particularly the urban areas, and there are many different variations of the dish.
Luwombo
Luwombo is a traditional method of cooking from Uganda. It involves steaming meats in banana or plantain leaves. Luwombo has been a common method across tropical Africa for centuries and is used wherever bananas or plantains are grown. Luwombo combines meat with a rich peanut-based sauce.
Mandazi
Mandazi is the perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth. Known as East African doughnuts, Mandazi is prepared by frying dough in oil. The doughnuts are often coated in cinnamon and sugar. In English, Mandazi means “deep-fried, pouch-like bread.” These sweet delicacies are similar to a beignet or doughnut and should definitely not be skipped on your next trip to Uganda.
Ugandan Egg Roll
This snack is made by hiding a hard-boiled egg inside mashed potatoes. The egg surrounded by mashed potatoes is then fried in cooking oil. This dish can be eaten at any time during the day and is very popular in Eastern Africa.
Sim Sim Cookies
Sim Sim cookies are sesame seed biscuits and a delicacy in Uganda. This treat is very similar to peanut brittle but is made with sesame seeds instead. The mixture is poured out onto a sheet and later broken into individual shards after it has hardened and cooled.
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Post written by Abby Kimball