Ghana, often considered a rival to Nigerians in various aspects like football, music, movies, and of course, food, is a vibrant country that’s great for solo trips, couples, or family vacations. One of Ghana’s many attractions is its cuisine. With influences from the country’s geography, history and cultural traditions, Ghana has some of the best meals in West Africa.

For every tourist location, there are dishes the locals swear you can’t leave without trying. For Nigeria, it’s Jollof rice, for Korea, it’s kimchi or bibimpap, and if you ever visit Ghana, we recommend not even thinking about returning home until you’ve tried these eight dishes.

Ghanaian Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is said to be the reason for decades of digital conflict between a few West African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Gambia. A dish originally belonging to the Wolof tribe that spans across Senegal and Gambia has gained so much popularity that several festivals and competitions have been created to prove which country’s jollof rice is the best.

Considered by many as Ghana’s national dish, jollof rice is a flavorful one-pot meal made with rice, tomatoes, chilli peppers, onions, and a blend of spices. It’s often served with grilled chicken or fish and can be found at any authentic Ghanaian restaurant.

Banku

This traditional Ghanaian dish is made from slightly fermented corn and cassava and can be described as a light and slightly sour swallow. It’s a staple meal loved by Ghanaians as a whole, though the Ewe people typically consume it.

Banku is best served with grilled tilapia fish, okro or light soup, or a spicy pepper sauce called shito. If you’re a seafood lover, this combination of textures and flavours makes it a must-try.

Shito

Shito isn’t just a condiment, it’s a dish at the cornerstone of Ghanaian cuisine. Shito is a spicy and flavorful pepper sauce made from a blend of dried fish, crayfish, onions, tomatoes, and chilli peppers. This unique blend of ingredients gives this sauce a punch of heat and an umami flavour.

It’s typically cooked with palm oil and spices like ginger, garlic, and cloves, resulting in a rich and aromatic sauce that adds depth to any dish. Commonly drizzled over banku and tilapia or served alongside jollof rice, shito is a versatile and beloved accompaniment that enhances the taste of various Ghanaian dishes. 

Its unique combination of spicy, savoury, and slightly sweet flavours makes it a staple on dining tables across the country, and no Ghanaian meal is complete without a generous dollop of this delicious sauce.

Kelewele

A popular street food snack, Kelewele is basically ripe plantains seasoned with ginger, chilli, and spices before being fried to perfection. It’s probably the easiest dish to make on our list, and the result is a sweet and spicy treat that’s perfect for munching on while exploring Ghana’s tourist attractions. Kelewele can also be served as a side dish for meals like jollof rice or waakye.

Red Red 

What is frequently called porridge beans in Nigeria is called red red in Ghana. This hearty bean stew gets its name from the vibrant red colour imparted by the tomatoes and palm oil used in its preparation. It’s usually served with fried plantains and often accompanied by fried fish or grilled chicken, making it a really satisfying meal.

Waakye

Waakye is a flavorful combination of rice and beans cooked with millet leaves, giving it a distinctive reddish-brown colour. It’s a street food favourite commonly served with fried fish or chicken, along with various side dishes such as spaghetti, boiled eggs, shito and salad.

Fufu and Light Soup

Fufu, made from boiled and mashed cassava, yam, or plantains, has always been a staple in West African cuisine. In Ghana, it’s usually served with light soup, a flavorful broth made with tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices. 

It takes a certain expertise to manoeuvre morsels of fufu in light soup and end up with a clean and dry plate. And that’s why eating fufu and light soup is an experience that’s as much about the texture as it is about the taste. 

Whether your trip involves exploring the bustling markets of Accra or conquering the Kakum canopy walk at Cape Coast, dining in local restaurants to relish authentic Ghanaian meals has to be in your itinerary. We recommend ticking every single one of these eight must-try Ghanaian dishes off your food bucket list for a truly unforgettable culinary experience. 

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