In Ghana, food is more than just nourishment; it is tradition, storytelling, and community served on a plate. Every dish carries centuries of history and cultural pride, offering visitors a true taste of the soul of West Africa.

For travelers seeking to connect with Ghana’s vibrant heritage, exploring its cuisine is not just an adventure – it is a rite.

Whether it’s the warmth of freshly prepared fufu or the smoky aroma of waakye, Ghanian food invites you to sit, share, and savor life. Here’s an immersive guide to the local dishes you must try, complete with insights into how they’re prepared and enjoyed.

1. Eat fufu in Ghana
Fufu is a beloved staple in Ghana. Made by pounding boiled cassava and plantain into a smooth, stretchy dough, fufu is traditionally served with hearty soups like light soup, (a mildly spiced tomato-based broth), groundnut soup (peanut-based and creamy), or palm nut soup (rich and earthy).

Preparation: Cassava and plantain are boiled, pounded together, using a wooden mortar and pestle until smooth. The accompanying soups, rich with meat, fish, mushrooms, and Ghanaian spices simmer for hours, creating, bold, comforting flavors. You can use a spoon to eat fufu, but using your hand is considered traditional.

2. Best Ghana Jollof Rice
The debate over the best jollof rice is fierce across West Africa, but Ghanaians stand by their version. This tomato-based rice dish, infused with spices and cooked with meats and vegetables, is a must at any celebration.

Preparation: Rice is cooked in a flavorful tomato and pepper stew, allowing the grains to absorb the rich spices. Often paired with fried chicken, plantains, or salad, it’s a feast of flavors to enjoy.

2. Waakye

A Breakfast Staple with Depth
Waakye (pronounced “wah-che”) is a hearty mix of rice and beans cooked with dried millet leaves, which lend the dish its signature reddish-brown color. Originating from northern Ghana, waakye has become a beloved breakfast or lunch dish nationwide, symbolizing the blend of cultural influences.

4. Banku and Grilled Tilapia
Banku, a fermented corn and cassava dough, is a tangy delight often paired with grilled tilapia and pepper sauce. Along Ghana’s coastal regions, this dish reigns supreme. Banku embodies the coastal lifestyle, where fishing communities rely on fresh catch for daily sustenance.

Preparation: The dough is cooked into a smooth, firm consistency. Tilapia is seasoned, grilled, and served with a spicy tomato and onion pepper sauce.

5. Kenkey with Fried Fish
Kenkey is a fermented corn dough dish wrapped in corn husks and steamed. It is traditionally served with fried fish and shito – a Ghanaian black pepper sauce made from blended chilies, fish, shrimp, and aromatic spices.

Preparation: Corn dough is fermented, shaped into balls, and wrapped in corn husks before it is steamed for hours.

6. Kelewele
For a taste of Ghana’s street food scene, you cant’t miss Kelewele – spicy, fried plantain cubes seasoned with ginger, garlic, and chili. Kelewele represents Ghana’s love for bold flavors. It’s the go-to snack for evening gatherings or a side dish to main meals.

Preparation: Ripe plantains are diced, marinated in spices, and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

7. Tuo Zaafi (TZ)
Hailing from northern Ghana, Tuo Zaafi is a savory dough made from maize or millet flour, served with a nutritious vegetable soup. TZ reflects the resourcefulness of Ghana’s northern communities, who use locally available ingredients to create wholesome meals.

Preparation: The dough is formed by stirring flour into boiling water, while the soup features greens like ayoyo leaves, okra, and spices.

8. Akple and Okra Soup
A staple food of the Ewe people, Akple is a smooth dough made from corn flour. It’s paired with slimy, flavorful, okra soup cooked with meat and fish.

Preparation: Corn flour is stirred into boiling water to form a firm consistency. The soup is prepared with okra, spices, and protein. Akple can also be served with aborbi tadi – anchovies stew recipe.

9. Yam and Palava Sauce
Palava sauce, made with Kotomire (cocoyam leaves), spinach, or other greens, is stewed with tomatoes, onions, and spices. It pairs beautifully with boiled yam or plantain.

Preparation: The greens are sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and spices, sometimes with the addition of eggs or kobi – salted fish.

10. Kokonte (Face the Wall)
Kokonte is a dish made from dried cassava flour and is usually served with groundnut soup or palm nut soup.

Preparation: The cassava flour is mixed with water and stirred over heat until it forms a smooth brownish dough.

11. Chinchinga (Ghanian Kebab)
This street food delight features skewered and grilled meat, seasoned with a spicy suya powder mix.

Preparation: Meat is marinated with spices, skewered, and grilled over an open fire.

12. Red – Red Recipe (Gorbe)
A favorite among Ghanaians and tourists alike, red-red popularly known as gorbe is a hearty dish made of black-eyed peas cooked in a richly seasoned tomato sauce and paired with fried ripe plantains.

Red-Red originates from southern Ghana and has long been a comfort food in local homes. It’s also a favorite for vegetarians, as it often made without meat.

Preparation: The beans are boiled until tender and then simmered in a tomato stew made with onions, garlic, ginger, and spices. Palm oil, which gives the dish its distinct flavor and red color, is added generously. Ripe plantains are sliced, lightly salted, and fried until golden and crispy.

Why Ghanaian Cuisine is a Must for Travelers
From the spicy notes of shito to the comforting warmth of Fufu, Ghanaian cuisine offers a sensory journey into the heart of its culture. Ghanaians, often say, “If you share food, you share love.” Meals are communal, bringing families and strangers together. It’s common for locals to invite tourists to share a plate, offering not just food, but stories, laughter, and connection.

Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, dining at local eateries, or learning to cook these dishes in a village home, the flavors of Ghana will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Plan your Ghana Culinary Adventure with Moodofhope Tours
Ready to savor Ghana’s rich culinary heritage? Let Moodofhope Tours guide you through a journey of flavors, from street food gems to traditional feasts. Immerse yourself in Ghana’s vibrant culture one bite at a time.