Culture Food

14 Tasty African Street Food Bites You Must Try

Chichinga – Ghana
Written by Jesca

African street food is some of the best in the world. With over 50 countries on the continent, you’ll be able to find a variety of unique tastes and flavors. African street food is a dish that’s authentic to the culture it comes from. It’s made and sold by locals, so when you eat street food, you’re getting an immersive experience of the country and its people.

Which African Country Makes the Best Food?

There are so many types of food from all over Africa. However, Ethiopia, Morocco and Senegal are some of the African countries with mouth-watering cuisines.

What is the Most Popular Food in Africa?

There are many famous foods in Africa, but one of the most popular is fufu, plantains, sweet potatoes, maize, and rice. African cuisine is very rich and diverse, and there are many delicious dishes to try.

What Street Food is Popular in Africa?

There is a wide variety of African street food popular, as the continent is home to many different cultures and cuisines. However, some of the most popular street foods include grilled meats, stews, flatbreads, and local fruits and vegetables.

African street food is typically very hearty and filling, making it perfect for a quick meal on the go. So if you’re ever in Africa, be sure to try some of the delicious street food on offer!

Plus, it’s usually pretty cheap—like Senegal’s Accara, which costs less than $1. Here are some of Africa’s most beloved street foods for you to try on your next trip!

  1. Tameya (Egypt)

African Street Food

Ta’meya (Egypt). Photo/Taste.

Tameya is popular African street food in Egypt made from fava beans. They mash the beans and form them into patties, then fried until they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Tameya is served with bread or rice and topped with tahini or chili sauce.

Alternatively, chickpeas can be used instead of fava beans. While they typically flavoured the mixture with parsley, coriander, cumin, and onions.

  1. Brik (Tunisia)

African Street Food

Brik (Tunisia). Photo/Food&Wine.

Brik is a Tunisian pastry that is made with a paper-thin sheet of dough that is filled with an egg, tuna, and harissa sauce, and then deep-fried. The result is a crispy, flaky pastry that is delicious.

If you find yourself in Tunisia, be sure to try a brik! They make these delicious pastries with a paper-thin sheet of dough that is filled with an egg, tuna, and harissa sauce, and then deep-fried. The result is a crispy, flaky pastry that is delicious.

  1. Accara (Senegal)

African Street Food

Accara (Senegal). Photo/nytimes.com.

Accara is a small, fried fritter made from black-eyed peas. They are a popular street food in Senegal and are typically served with a chili pepper sauce or a vinegar-based hot sauce. They are delicious and make for a perfect quick snack on the go.

  1. Fried Plantains (West Africa)

Sweet fried plantains

Sweet fried plantains. Photo/simshomekitchen.

Fried plantains are a popular African street food in many parts of West Africa. If you find yourself in West Africa, be sure to try fried plantains! They typically serve these delicious treats as a snack or side dish, and can be either sweet or savory. Fried plantains are popular street food in many parts of West Africa, so they are easy to find and usually very affordable.

  1. Kebda Eskandarani (Egypt)

Kebda Eskandarani (Egypt)

Kebda Eskandarani (Egypt). Photo/TasteAtlas.

Kebda Eskandarani is a popular dish in Egypt that consists of grilled lamb liver that is typically served with lemon juice and garlic sauce. They commonly serve it in sandwiches with tahini dip or on its own with rice, lime wedges, or pita bread. This dish is hearty and filling and is perfect for a quick meal on the go.

  1. Dholl Puri – Mauritius

Dholl Puri – Mauritius

Dholl Puri – Mauritius. Photo/delicious.

Dholl puri is a popular street food in Mauritius that comprises a flatbread that is stuffed with a spiced Lentil paste, then rolled and fried. They typically serve it with tamarind chutney or yogurt dipping sauce. They’re often served in pairs with bean curry, atchar and chutney as street food from stalls on the island.

  1. Chichinga – Ghana

Chichinga – Ghana

Chichinga – Ghana. Photo/gbcghanaonline.

Chichinga, a type of Ghanaian street food, is composed of beef or sausage kebabs. They make these savory snacks with suya and a sticky, spicy peanut marinade that contains ginger, garlic and chili spices. When grilling the meat for Chichinga (cook red meat medium-well), we recommend sirloin steak for beef dishes while chicken breasts work best for chicken variants.

  1. Nyama choma

Nyama choma

Grilled nyama choma [Photo/Travelstart Tanzania]

Nyama choma, Kenya’s unofficial national dish of barbecued meat, is commonly goat or beef served roasted. The Swahili language translates Nyama choma to mean “grilled flesh.” You can find this meal everywhere in the country, from roadside shacks to posh restaurants.

  1. Forodhani and Dafu – Tanzania

If you’re a foodie, Zanzibar is the place for you; African, Arab, and Indian influences have all infused the culinary culture. The most popular street food dish is Forodhani and Dafu. Forodhani is a type of flatbread that is typically served with a variety of fillings, such as beans, vegetables, or meat. Dafu is a deep-fried doughnut-like pastry that is often served with a sweet or savory dipping sauce.

  1. Samosa – East Africa

Samosa

Samosa is one of the popular street foods in Kenya. Photo/NDTVfood

Samosas are a type of fried pastry that originates from the Indian subcontinent. They are made by folding a dough around a filling, such as potato, chicken, or lamb. The dough is then deep-fried and served with a dipping sauce.

Samosas are delicious and convenient famous African street food that people of all ages can enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, samosas are sure to satisfy your hunger.

  1. Attieke– Ivory Coast

Attieke is a type of Ivorian food made from fermented cassava. It is like couscous and can be served with a variety of dishes, such as stews and grilled meats. Attieke is a popular street food because it is easy to eat on the go and very filling.

  1. Mozambican Prawns – Mozambique

If you ask anyone who’s been to Mozambique about the food, they’ll tell you great things about French seafood. This is because most of its famous dishes are based on seafood.

One of the popular seafood is prawns. They marinate Mozambican prawns in a variety of spices, such as garlic, chili, and ginger. They then grilled them over an open flame and served with a dipping sauce. Mozambican prawns are a healthy and filling meal.

  1. Bunny Chow—South Africa

Bunny chow

Bunny chow chicken curry rolls. Photo/Taste.

Bunny chow is a type of South African street food that comprises a bread roll that is filled with curry. The dish originated in Durban, and it is now popular throughout the country. Bunny chow is a popular street food because it is easy to eat on the go and very filling.

  1. Mahjouba– Morocco

Mahjouba is a type of Moroccan street food that consists of fried dough that is filled with a variety of fillings, such as meat, vegetables, and cheese. The dish is similar to the Egyptian mahala kofta and the Syrian ma’amoul. Mahjouba is a popular street food because it is easy to eat on the go and very filling.

About the author

Jesca

Besigye is a Ugandan writer and a teacher by profession. She loves adventure and travelling that's why she loves writing travel blogs.

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