Understanding Equatorial Guinea's gastronomy requires an understanding of its diversity. Like almost any African country, Equatorial Guinea has a diverse culinary culture due to its ethnocultural groups.
Fang, Bubis, Ndowe, Bisios, and Annabonese are the five major ethnic groups in Equatorial Guinea. Although some dishes are shared among the groups, each has its distinct cuisine.
10 Most Popular Equitorial Guinea Food
Western foods have also gained popularity in the country and are available in local restaurants. However, surprisingly, many local foods popular among the locals are only prepared at home and are not available on the menus of local restaurants.
Considering everything, here are the top 20 most popular dishes in Equatorial Guinea.
Ocrosoup or Ocro Soup
Ocrosoup is a traditional Bioko Island dish. It is genuinely one of Equatorial Guinea's most delectable dishes.
It is a thick, dense dish with vegetables and bananas or cassava. You can make it by chopping up ocro (okra) and adding chopped vegetables. It is seasoned with salt and cooked in chicken or lobster broth until the soup becomes slimy. After that, it's ready for consumption.
Forest Snails Soup
Equatorial Guineans enjoy eating mollusks, and one of the most well-known dishes uses forest snails. Although some mollusks are raised on farms, most are caught in the wild, thus the name.
Removing the sticky snail slime from this dish is the most challenging. To remove the dirt and get a very clean, ready-to-cook snail, natural lemon juice is typically applied to the snail.
Vegetables and additional ingredients like onion and lobster broth are frequently used in addition to the snails. The soup should be cooked until the snail is soft to the touch.
This is one of the most delicious dishes in Equatorial Guinean cuisine, and it is usually served with cassava or plantain.
Read also:Forest snail recipe
Peanut-Sauced Chicken
Chicken with peanut sauce is one of the most well-known national dishes.
Roasted unsalted peanuts, onions, garlic cloves, coconut milk, chicken, chili, lime leaves, and vegetable oil are used to make this dish. Usually, this dish is served with rice.
Pepe Soup
Pepe soup is a spicy soup made with water, salt, local spices, and fish straightforwardly. All ethnic groups share this dish in the country; strangely, it is only eaten in the mornings with friends or family.
Pepper soup is a delicious Equatorial Guinean soup. The recipe's main ingredients include nutmeg, bell peppers, parsley, oregano, basil, diced tomato, and meats.
Some people also include cheese, usually mozzarella or cheddar. However, beef is the most commonly used meat. Furthermore, this dish is prepared in other West African countries, and the locals enjoy eating it.
Read also:Pepe soup recipe.
Roasted Hens with Five Spices
This dish is made with five different spices, as the name implies. Some other vital ingredients include hens and vegetable oil. The dish is topped with a delicious sauce.
Read also:Roasted Hens with Five Spices recipe.
Succotash
Succotash is a traditional Equatorial Guinean dish. Fresh lime beans, garlic cloves, onion, bacon slices, corn, salt and peppers, tomatoes, wine vinegar, chives, fresh thyme, and unsalted butter are among the key ingredients in the recipe.
Succotash preparation
Poulet Yassa
Poulet Yassa is a traditional Guinean dish. It is made with chicken, bay leaf, clove garlic, peanut oil, onions, lemons, chili pepper, vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and other ingredients.
The dish also includes cooked white rice.
Read also:Poullet Yassa Recipe.
Sopa de pescado con cacahuete
Sopa de pescado con cacahuete is a delicious soup made with peanuts and fish. Local people eat this delectable food throughout the year. It is very nutritious.
The recipe's main ingredients are fish, onions, peanuts, and tomatoes. This dish can be prepared in a variety of ways. Some people also avoid eating peanuts.
Sopa de pescado con cacahuete recipe
Akwadu
Plantains are popular among Equatorial Guineans and have various recipes for preparing them.
Akwadu is one of the recipes and is among the popular breakfast option in the country. The main ingredient in the recipe is plantains. Other African countries consume it as well.
Read also: The akwadu recipe.
Pumpkin Pie
The traditional pumpkin pie of Equatorial Guinea is one of the country's most delectable desserts.
However, some people prefer its smoked version, which includes pumpkin, nutmeg, ground ginger, cinnamon, smoked maple syrup, allspice, and brown sugar.
For added flavor, some locals add pure cream while serving.
Read also: Pumpkin Pie Recipe
