Food & Beverages
Food
Burkinabe cuisine is one of the richest and most varied in West Africa. It has some similarities with those of other West African countries, but it has also been influenced by other countries. Most recipes in Burkina Faso are based on rice, maize or fonio and cereals are widely consumed. Burkina Faso’s cuisine is delicious and varies from region to region.
Some typical Burkinabe dishes
Burkinabè cuisine is diversified with good original dishes, very rich and appreciated, which vary from region to region.
Soumbala Rice Gras
Also known as Riz gras in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and other West African countries, but also as Jollof Rice in Nigeria and Ghana, Soumbala rice is a stew that is cooked with starches such as semolina or rice, tomato, carrots, onions, pepper, smoked chicken, garlic, fresh okra and chilli. It is cooked over a low heat, more precisely steamed, and is served with fried fish or grilled beef.
The Tô
Tô is the national dish of Burkina Faso. It is also eaten daily in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Togo. Tô is a paste made from millet, maize or sorghum flour and served with a vegetable, meat or chicken sauce. It is cooked with various ingredients, such as soumbala, tomato, chilli, okra, cabbage leaves, sorrel leaves, baobab leaves, carrots, etc. Tô remains the daily meal of the vast majority of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso.
Le Degue au Lait
Degue is a speciality eaten in several African countries. It is very appetizing and is prepared with steamed lumps of small millet. This dessert is eaten fresh, sweetened or unsweetened. Degue is quick to make and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or a snack. The local population and visitors are very happy with this dessert.
Bicycle chicken and TV chicken.
Baked pork "porkaufou"
Baked pork is a speciality of the Gourounsi region, particularly of Réo. Mini ovens are set up everywhere and offer delicious pork. It is the most popular dish among the workers, who have made it an essential moment of conviviality.
Spicy beef soup
This is a chilli soup flavoured with ginger that is very popular in Burkina Faso and some surrounding countries. Hot beef soup is cooked with beef, ginger, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, carrots, garlic, green pepper, chilli pepper, etc. This delicious soup is often accompanied by a small amount of water. This delicious soup is often accompanied by rice or even bread.
Wild meat
During the hunting season, it has become common to enjoy wild meat in specialized restaurants. The dishes range from soup to grilled meat and contain meat from small game such as hares, partridges, hedgehogs, etc. or large game such as buffaloes, warthogs, and many other animals.
Accompaniments
The grilled meat dishes are generally accompanied by vegetables and starchy foods: potato or sweet potato chips, peas, green beans depending on the season and many other starchy foods. Depending on the place, there are also alloco, which are plantain fries, or fried yam, which is eaten with a hot sauce made from freshly ground chillies.
Some Food Guidelines
- Eat only well-cooked foods that are served hot.
- Avoid food from street vendors.
- Fruits and vegetables should be well washed and peeled before consumption.
Drinks
Mineral water and soft drinks are available almost everywhere in Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso has a large selection of delicious lemonades and beers. Lovers of good beer will not be disappointed. Local drinks such as bissap juice, tamarind juice, mango juice, ginger juice, bandji or palm wine, koutoukou, Dolo, etc. are also available everywhere. Dolo, also known as millet beer, is the national drink and accompanies all events such as weddings, various ceremonies and market days. It is the symbol of hospitality and sharing par excellence, the Dolo reinforces social cohesion.
Some Drinks Guidelines
- Avoid drinking tap or well water, drink only mineral water or distilled water.
- Drink only pasteurized milk.
- Consume only ice cubes made from mineral water
