The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Namibian Foods. If you manage to be in an Namibian restaurant or you are visiting Namibia, I recommend the following
1. Potjiekos
This stew is a stew of red meat or chicken with vegetables, cooked in a large iron pot with three feet. The pot is placed over a fire to heat and cook the ingredients inside. The dish can also be made with vegetables only, although this rarely happens because the Namibian people love meat. It can be ordered at many restaurants and food stalls in the country.
2. Meat Skewers
Meat kebabs are another of Namibia’s most important dishes, as they are an extremely popular street snack served at a variety of food stalls throughout the country. They are very easy to eat and are ideal for sightseeing and enjoying the locality. They are prepared with different types of meat, some of which are quite exotic. It is possible to find skewers of beef, crocodile and even ostrich.
3. Luderitz Lobster
It consists of large lobsters prepared with the most delicious local taste (Lüderitz is a beautiful harbor town in southern Namibia, noted for its beautiful architecture and wildlife). They are served in most restaurants in the area, so they are not hard to find. Their exquisite taste makes them a unique experience that is definitely not to be missed if you visit Namibia.
4. Hake Fillets
Fish is another strong point of Namibian cuisine, and the quality of the hake is excellent. You can find many recipes, but hake filets in squid sauce are the best. It is made with hake, clams, squid, carrots, onion and salt.
5. Bull Frog
Bullfrog can be considered one of Namibia’s most exotic dishes. It is mainly served in the northernmost regions of the country, where it is cooked in pots covered with dry wood, which helps to eliminate the poisonous components of the meat. While this is a unique dining experience, it is very important to be careful when choosing which establishment to order from to avoid incident and discomfort.
6. Mahangu Soup
It is prepared using ingredients such as goat or lamb meat, fish, rice and millet, a cereal widely consumed by the Ovambo tribe. The result is a delicious and nutritious soup that is served in a variety of restaurants. As you might expect, it is an extremely nutritious dish and an excellent lunch that offers great energy.
7. Swakopmund Oysters and Green Asparagus
Oysters are one of the main dishes of the region and you should definitely try them during your trip to Namibia. The quality is excellent and the preparation depends on the restaurant you go to. It is highly regarded by tourists and Namibians alike. You can also try green asparagus, another Swakopmund speciality. I assure you it will be the softest and thickest asparagus you have ever tasted.
8. Olives from Namibia
A local product of the whole country, the calamata variety produces a crop of very good black olives, although green olives are also easy to find in tourist accommodation. In addition to game and fish dishes and traditional soups, Namibia also serves desserts and drinks, but in this case with a strong German influence.
9. Landjäger Smoked Sausages
The famous Landjaeger smoked sausage or spicy dry sausage is also a typical Namibian dish, but may seem strange because of its German origin or tradition. It is nothing more than smoked meat and porto sausage.
10. Mieliepap
Mieliepap soup is a delicious meal made with cornmeal or mielie soups accompanied by goat meat, lamb or even fish. Peppers or onions are also commonly added to the preparation, making it an important part of the daily diet of the people of Namibia. It is easily found on the menu of many local restaurants, so it can be ordered at any time to enjoy its delicious taste.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional African Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.