Are you wondering what kind of food you’ll get to eat during your safari trip to Tanzania?

Well, you’re about to find out! In this short post, we’ll talk about the A to Z of Tanzanian cuisine and what mouth-watering delicacies it has to offer.

Fair warning, don’t blame us if you feel irresistibly hungry after reading this blog. All the dishes we are going to cover are delightfully delicious, to say the least.

But, before you dive into individual Tanzanian dishes, you need a brief introduction to Tanzanian cuisine. Let’s start with a brief overview of the Tanzanian culinary traditions and how it has evolved over the centuries.

Tanzanian cuisine is very diverse. The ingredients used and preparation styles may vary greatly from region to region. The dishes commonly involve ginger and coconut milk with a dash of spices like cinnamon and cloves.

Tanzanian Cuisine - A Brief Overview

Tanzania is a melting pot of several ethnic groups, including immigrants from Europe and Asia. This is why all these cultures over the centuries have influenced the Tanzanian cuisine.

In a typical modern-day Tanzanian meal, you will find flavors of Indian and Portuguese cuisines, with a hint of other European flavors.

Don’t be surprised to find a variety of grains and pulses, like corn, millet, beans, and pilaf, with a good mix of veggies, like okra, amaranthus, carrots, and peas, with a good serving of meat or fish. And please don’t forget groundnuts. Finely ground groundnut paste is added to most of the dishes to give them a rich texture and an earthy flavor.

In a nutshell (pun intended), Tanzanian food is nutritious, scrumptious, and wholesome, all in one package.

What Do You Eat On a Typical Day in Tanzania?

Let’s walk you through a sample 3-meal-a-day mealtime schedule followed by most Tanzanians.

Breakfast

You’ll start your day with a freshly baked serving of chapati (a version of Indian bread) or bread with Mandazi (a kind of Donut made of fried dough). Enjoy it with a steaming cup of hot chai (tea).

Lunch

For lunch, be prepared to feast on dishes made from various vegetables and meats, with a hot serving of rice or Ugali (polenta made from cornmeal). Chapatis are also served with meat or vegetable dishes sometimes. Don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note with the help of traditional Tanzanian desserts, like Mandazi (fried sweet bread).

Dinner

Dinners are usually variations of the same dishes made with different meats or vegetables. You’ll get to taste different versions of the food with a unique flavor each time.

Drinks

The humble chai, or tea, is the staple non-alcoholic drink in Tanzania. If you want a zesty bold flavor, try the Masala tea which is infused with pepper, clove, and cardamom.

But, if you are a coffee aficionado, don’t worry! You’ll get to taste the most authentic coffee made from hand-roasted and freshly ground Arabica beans in Tanzania.

If you are looking for alcoholic drinks, we recommend the Mbege beer made from fermented bananas. This is a favorite drink of the region, originating from Kilimanjaro.
And don’t forget to try Konyagi, which is a very pure distilled spirit made from cane juice with a unique citrusy flavor. You can make your own cocktails using this or simply enjoy it with lemon and ice.

Tanzanian Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss

All said and done; it is impossible to try every dish on the menu when you visit Tanzania. You’ll have more choices than you’ll know what to do with. While you may wish to go on a culinary adventure and try out new dishes, you may easily miss the important ones.

That’s why we have decided to help you by listing a few of the best Tanzanian dishes you should definitely not miss on your Safari trip.

Ugali

Ugali is a cornmeal polenta cooked in milk or water and is usually served with a soup or stew made of meat, fish, or veggies. The right way of eating it is to make small balls out of the dough and press a dent into the center of it before dipping it into the stew or soup. It is the perfect combination for savory soups, stews, and curries.

In 2017, it was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible cultural heritage of humanity and is widely considered the national food of Tanzania.

Nyama Choma

Nyama Choma is a specially grilled goat meat, although other meats can be used. In Swahili, it literally means “Barbecue Meat.” Usually, the pieces of meat, like the legs or ribs, are roasted over a grill until they are tender. The finely cooked meat is separated from the bones and is seasoned with salt and pepper, then marinated in a mixture of onions, ginger, garlic, and lemon juice. This lip-smacking grilled meat is often served with a Kachumbari salad and Ugali.

Pilau

Pilau is a special dish where rice is cooked along with vegetables or meat, in a rich mixture of various spices, like cloves, cinnamon, cumin, curry, and peppers. This dish is heavily influenced by Indian flavors.

Pilau is very popular in the coastal areas, especially in Zanzibar, and is generally served on special occasions, like holidays, festivals, and parties.

Urojo Soup a.k.a Zanzibar Mix

If there’s one dish that perfectly captures Swahili culture, it is Urojo soup (Zanzibar Mix) - another fan favorite among tourists and locals, and super popular in Stone Town/Zanzibar. It is a popular street food rich in flavor and spices. Relish and savor each bite - it is made of a flour-based sauce cooked with lemon and mango, with additional ingredients like crispy bhajias, fried mashed potatoes and other spicy chutneys (sauces). Some people add protein on top in the form of medium-boiled eggs, and mishkaki, the East African staple of grilled mutton or beef. Like many dishes, this also has a touch of Indian flavors. It is best enjoyed as a standalone snack.

Zanzibar Pizza

The Zanzibar pizza is another popular dish you shouldn’t miss in Tanzania. I can tell you; it is unlike any pizza you have ever tasted. The base is made of wheat flour batter, cooked in salt and oil like pancakes. The second layer is made of ground meat, garlic, onions, and black pepper. Finally, it is topped off with a rich layer of cheese, fresh vegetables, corn, and spices. The whole thing is then slowly baked on a grill, or tava, with ghee until all the layers are properly cooked.

The pizza is usually served with a tangy mango chili sauce.

Mchuzi Wa Samaki

If you are a seafood fan, this is the right dish for you. Mchuzi Wa Samaki is a fish stew made of fish, like Kambale or Migebuka, cooked in a rich curry consisting of tomatoes, onions, coconut, and carrots. It leaves a tangy aftertaste because of the dash of lime juice squeezed on it just before it is served.

Mchuzi wa kuku

This is similar to the Mchuzi Wa Samaki, except that it is made of chicken. Chicken pieces are fried with onions and peas before being cooked in a rich paste of ground coconuts, groundnuts, tomatoes, and other spices. This dish is usually served with steamed rice or Ugali.

Mandazi

If you are looking to munch on something during your travels, Mandazi might just be the right snack. It is very popular among Tanzanians. In fact, it is regularly eaten for breakfast with tea and porridge.

It is made by deep frying a dough made of wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar until it is golden brown and crispy. It comes in various shapes and sizes, and it is sometimes soaked in sweet cardamom-flavored syrup. It can be had anytime during the day as a quick snack since it is very effective in controlling hunger pangs.

Chipsi Mayai

This dish’s name in Swahili literally means “chips and eggs” and is an all-time favorite food among Tanzanians. It is a combination of an egg omelet mixed with French fries.

Unlike traditional French fries, this version is made from freshly cut potatoes, deep fried to a crispy golden brown without any deep freezing. You can find it served hot in many eateries, food stalls, and restaurants.

You can usually enjoy it during breakfast with a hot cup of chai or coffee.

Are you Drooling Yet?

We understand that reading this blog post can make some people very hungry. Of course, you can’t wait to try these mouth-watering dishes for yourself during your visit to Tanzania.

So, why wait? Feel free to give us a call, and let us help you have the best safari and food-tasting experience in Tanzania. We can customize your safari trip to your unique tastes and expectations. Call today!