Food of Central African Republic

Cuisine in the Central African Republic draws on cassava, plantain, peanuts, forest greens and fish. Gozo (cassava paste) served with groundnut or leaf sauce is typical, and caterpillars and smoked meat are seasonal delicacies.

National dish

Gozo with sauce

Staples

  • cassava
  • plantain
  • peanuts
  • greens
  • fish

Signature flavors

  • peanut
  • palm oil
  • chili
  • onion

Main dishes

Gozo
Gozo

A traditional dish of Central African Republic made with cassava, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: cassava
Sauce d'arachide

A traditional dish of Central African Republic made with peanut, chicken, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: peanut, chicken
Kanda

A traditional dish of Central African Republic made with meat, chili, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: meat, chili
Ngunza

A traditional dish of Central African Republic made with cassava leaves, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: cassava leaves
Poisson fume

A traditional dish of Central African Republic made with fish, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: fish

Breakfast

Bouillie

A traditional breakfast dish of Central African Republic made with corn, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: corn

Street food

Beignets

A traditional street snack of Central African Republic made with flour, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: flour
Brochettes

A traditional street snack of Central African Republic made with beef, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: beef

Desserts and sweets

Bananes frites

A traditional sweet treat of Central African Republic made with banana, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: banana

Drinks

Tea with ginger

A traditional drink of Central African Republic made with ginger, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: ginger
Fresh juice

A traditional drink of Central African Republic made with fruit, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: fruit

Fruits and produce

Papaya
Papaya

Papaya is a well-loved fruit or crop in Central African Republic, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: papayaFull guide →
Plantain
Plantain

Plantain is a well-loved fruit or crop in Central African Republic, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: plantain
Mango
Mango

Mango is a well-loved fruit or crop in Central African Republic, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: mangoFull guide →

Dish guides from Central African Republic

Mango
MangoFruits
Papaya
PapayaFruits
Explore Central African Republic on Geographical EffectMaps, capital and cities, population, climate, landscapes and landmarks.

More cuisines of Middle Africa

About this page

Descriptions written by Intercontinental Chef. Dishes are listed as commonly eaten today; many are shared across neighbouring countries.

Photo credits
  • Gozo from space via laser ESA378503 (cropped): European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Carica papaya - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-029: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Mega racimos de guineos: J & E, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Mangos - single and halved: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)