Food of The Gambia
I had no idea what to expect from the country, let alone Gambian cuisine, before my visit, and while I was well aware of how varied food can be across the African continent, I was more than pleasantly surprised when our first meal after landing was an outstanding, flavoursome dish that immediately became my favourite (more on that later!). What I can say is that it instantly gave me the sense that I would eat very well throughout my stay.
And let me tell you, what I did discover is that the food is as unique and vibrant as its culture.
What To Expect From Gambian Cooking
Gambian food can be broadly defined by hearty stews, plenty of meat such as chicken and beef, and peanut-based cooking. You can expect dishes to be heavily accompanied by rice. I was told that the country produces around 30% of the rice it consumes, while the rest is imported. Fish and seafood are also hugely important here, sourced from the river and coastline. Expect things like barracuda, shrimp and oysters.
The cuisine is influenced by indigenous communities such as the Mandinka and Wolof (major ethnic groups in West Africa), as well as contact with Europe (French and Portuguese flavours) and influences from the Middle East, meaning the food is predominantly Islamic and pork-free. While overall mild when it comes to spiciness – don’t expect high levels of heat! – food is beautifully seasoned with local herbs and spices such as garlic, lime, mustard and ginger.
Its climate is one of the key benefits to the wondrous array of fresh fruits and vegetables available seasonally. Juices and vegetables used to bulk out stews, for example (with ingredients such as tomatoes and pumpkin), are common. The Gambia’s proximity to Senegal, particularly the southern Casamance region which is known for its agriculture, is also helpful in bringing in fresh produce such as mangoes and onions. In fact, there is a lot of crossover between Senegalese food and Gambian dishes overall.
Must-Try Foods in The Gambia
As a foodie discovering Gambian cuisine for the first time, here’s everything I tried…
Domoda
The star of Gambian cuisine has to be domoda.
This rich and flavourful stew has a base of peanut butter and tomatoes. I had it with beef, chicken and fish, and it’s amazing every single time. Each place you sample this has its own spin on it, so it never tastes the same twice, but it’s always extremely delicious. Think of it as not dissimilar to an Indian curry, just with its own unique flavour profile – very mild and creamy, but equally umami.
Benachin
Another delightfully flavourful one-pot dish (which is what the word translates to in Wolof!), benachin is similar to jollof rice. It combines rice with meat and vegetables, all cooked together in a beautiful tomato-based sauce. Packed with spices and depth, it’s an absolute staple.
Yassa
Yassa is a gloriously tender dish made from marinated meat, cooked in plenty of onions with a tangy mustard, vinegar and lemon kick, and served with rice. It’s a bold, zesty dish you won’t forget.
Tapalapa Bread
I have a major love affair with this bread! It’s like a French baguette but softer, with a slightly smoky flavour. It’s unique flavour profile the result of combining wheat flour, millet flour, maize flour, and cowpea flour. You can find it everywhere, typically displayed in convenience store kiosks, and it’s pretty cheap, making it a perfect snack on the go. You’ll often have it handed to you wrapped in newspaper – a simple but delicious must-try.
Olibolas / Gambian Pancakes
While they are called pancakes, they are, in fact, more like doughnuts that are deep-fried and eaten for breakfast on the go by locals. They’re filling, moist and dense all at once.
Fruit
Of course, you can’t visit The Gambia without enjoying the fresh fruit. Oranges were in season when we visited, and the watermelon and papaya were so sweet and refreshing too. Juice stalls selling fresh juice around the beach are also well worth checking out.
Baobab Juice
Made from the pulp of the spectacular baobab tree, baobab juice is a must-try. It’s hard to describe – part banana, part something totally unique. It’s thick, creamy, zesty and not overly sweet. I was also able to try the fruit straight from a pod too, later discovering it’s considered a superfood by some!
Unique Flavours
When I say that dishes here are very flavoursome and balanced, this is one such example. I was introduced to something called “bitter tomatoes”, which are a type of aubergine and offer an entirely unique flavour profile when added to rich stews.
Similarly, palm oil is the oil of choice here. It adds colour and a distinctive flavour, offering a rich, earthy taste that’s stronger than other oils, not to mention a vibrant hue to dishes too.
Tinned Fish
Something I noticed throughout my travels in The Gambia is the presence of tinned fish containers on supermarket shelves, as well as being repurposed – as water containers for birds, for example. After looking into this further, I discovered that tinned fish such as mackerel or sardines are a dietary staple here. They are convenient, have a long shelf life and are filling, offering a means of sustenance in parts of the country that are further from the coast and during seasons when food is harder to come by.
The Secret Ingredient
I discovered that a key component in Gambian cooking revolves around Maggi seasoning. Whether in liquid or cube form, this flavour-enhancing seasoning offers a deep, punchy salty and umami flavour and is now a staple of my cooking cupboard at home. It can be found everywhere in local stores across the country, and I was grateful to find it back in the UK too when recreating domoda for myself!
Eating Communally
One of our local guides shared that while restaurants cater to individuals, meals at home are typically eaten communally. Families come together and eat from one plate or pot using their hands. It’s something I would love to experience on future visits to the country.
A Taste of The Gambia
I know I have only just scratched the surface when it comes to sampling The Gambia’s culinary delights. If you ever visit The Gambia, please don’t skip the food – it’s a journey all on its own.
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
