Food of Congo

Congolese (Brazzaville) cuisine centers on cassava, plantain and river fish, often wrapped in leaves and steamed (liboke). Moambe sauce, peanut stews and forest greens are common, and grilled chicken is a treat. Pili-pili chili adds heat.

Poulet moambe
National dish

Poulet moambe

A traditional dish of Congo made with chicken, palm nuts, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Staples

  • cassava
  • plantain
  • fish
  • peanut
  • rice

Signature flavors

  • palm oil
  • peanut
  • garlic
  • pili-pili

Main dishes

Poulet moambe
Poulet moambe

A traditional dish of Congo made with chicken, palm nuts, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: chicken, palm nuts
Liboke de poisson

A traditional dish of Congo made with fish, leaves, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: fish, leaves
Saka saka

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

Key ingredients: cassava leaves
Fufu
Fufu

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

Key ingredients: cassavaFull guide →
Chikwangue
Chikwangue

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

Key ingredients: cassava
Pondu

A traditional dish of Congo made with cassava leaves, palm oil, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: cassava leaves, palm oil

Breakfast

Pain au beurre d'arachide

A traditional breakfast dish of Congo made with bread, peanut, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: bread, peanut

Street food

Brochettes

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

Key ingredients: beef
Banana frite

A traditional street snack of Congo made with plantain, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: plantain

Desserts and sweets

Beignets

A traditional sweet treat of Congo made with flour, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: flour

Drinks

Tangawisi

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

Key ingredients: ginger
Fresh juice

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

Key ingredients: fruit

Fruits and produce

Pineapple
Pineapple

Pineapple is a well-loved fruit or crop in Congo, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: pineappleFull guide →
Plantain
Plantain

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

Key ingredients: plantain
Safou
Safou

Safou is a well-loved fruit or crop in Congo, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: safou

Dish guides from Congo

Fufu
FufuMain dishes
Pineapple
PineappleFruits
Explore Congo 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
  • Elaeis guineensis fruits on tree: Bongoman, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Fufu, A typical Ghanaian cuisine: Jeffery Agyenim-Boateng, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Cassava Bread - cassava cooked in leaf wrap (Kwanga, Chikwangue): T.K. Naliaka, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • കൈതച്ചക്ക: Suniltg at Malayalam Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Mega racimos de guineos: J & E, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Safoutier: Unknown, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)