The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Angolan Foods. If you manage to be in an Angolan restaurant or you are visiting Angola, I recommend the following:
1. Bolo De Banana
The bolo de banana is one of the richest desserts on the Angolan table, and has spread to all the countries where its people have had influence. It’s a kind of cake, made with flour, eggs and, of course, lots of banana. Its sweet taste and soft, doughy texture make it a must on your visit to this African country.
2. Calulu
Its name refers to the leaves and stems of certain plants, which can be eaten raw or in soups. It is a thick, highly laden soup made from a variety of green leaves. Chunks of chicken or hen may be added to the soup, and it is usually served with cassava flour dumplings.
3. Caruru
Caruru is a gombo and prawn stew with a strong and particular taste. In this star dish of typical Angolan food, the gombos are cooked first. Then the fish stock is cooked with manioc flour. The prawns are sautéed with garlic and onion, then mixed with the resulting paste and finally with the gombos.
4. Cocada Amarela
This delicious dessert is made from coconut pulp, egg yolks that give it its yellow color, sugar, ground cinnamon and cloves. If you want to give it a citric touch to cut the sweet taste, a slice of orange or lemon is perfect. Its doughy texture and flavor, which varies between the tropical coconut and the aromatic spices, make it a delicious sweet option to try.
5. Farofa
Its use is limited to accompanying other dishes; poultry, feijao, black beans or rice. The dish is prepared by toasting the flour in a greased frying pan until golden brown and crispy, then mixing it with the parsley, eggs and olives.
6. Feijao
If you want a meal that satisfies your hunger, tastes delicious, and is loaded with nutrients and vitamins, feijao is a good choice. The taste for the well-known black beans has spread throughout much of the world, but the dish originated in Africa, and stands out in the typical food of Angola as one of the favorites. Depending on who cooks them, salt, paprika, onions and even a touch of manioc flour are added.
7. Frango (Grelhado) Piri-Piri
Piri piri piri chicken is a classic Angolan dish that is popular with tourists who are not used to the local flavors. It consists of a stew in which the chicken meat is marinated in hot pepper and then cooked over the coals. Piri piri is the Angolan name for hot pepper. The recipe may also include paprika, coriander, parsley, and a touch of lemon juice or wine.
8. Funje
It has a delicious, mild flavor, and it is very common to see it on the table as an accompaniment to chicken or fish, and served with vegetables or beans. However, due to the cheapness of its preparation, it is a common meal among the poorest sectors of the population, who eat it as their only dish. It is made from manioc flour. Porridge or other vegetables are added.
9. Kizaca
It is made from the leaves of a small bush with edible roots; or the so-called ginguinga. A very traditional dish throughout Angola.
10. Muamba De Galinha
It is usually made from chicken or hen. It is stewed with tomatoes, onions, salt, garlic, pumpkin, lemon juice and the classic palm oil. It also contains a type of Angolan chili called gindungo. It has a balanced flavor, as the slightly spicy taste of some of the typical ingredients is tempered by the sweeter, moreish taste of the pumpkin.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional African Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.