Food of Gabon

Gabonese food centers on fresh fish, cassava, plantain and rich sauces. Poulet nyembwe, wrapped fish (poisson a l'etouffee) and smoked meats are signature dishes, usually served with manioc bread.

Poulet nyembwe
National dish

Poulet nyembwe

Chicken in a rich palm nut sauce.

Staples

  • cassava
  • plantain
  • fish
  • chicken
  • rice

Signature flavors

  • palm nut
  • peanut
  • garlic
  • chili

Main dishes

Poulet nyembwe
Poulet nyembwe

Chicken in a rich palm nut sauce.

Key ingredients: chicken, palm nut, garlic
Poisson a l'etouffee

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

Key ingredients: fish, leaves, pepper
Manioc bread (bâton de manioc)

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

Key ingredients: cassava
Saka saka

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

Key ingredients: cassava leaves
Gazelle stew

A traditional dish of Gabon made with meat, peanut, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: meat, peanut
Peanut sauce chicken

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

Key ingredients: peanut, chicken

Breakfast

Beignets

A traditional breakfast dish of Gabon made with flour, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: flour

Street food

Brochettes

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

Key ingredients: beef
Grilled fish

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

Key ingredients: fish

Desserts and sweets

Fried bananas

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

Key ingredients: banana

Drinks

Bissap

A traditional drink of Gabon made with hibiscus, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: hibiscus
Ginger juice

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

Key ingredients: ginger

Fruits and produce

Plantain
Plantain

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

Key ingredients: plantain
Pineapple
Pineapple

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

Key ingredients: pineappleFull guide →
Papaya
Papaya

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

Key ingredients: papayaFull guide →

Dish guides from Gabon

Papaya
PapayaFruits
Pineapple
PineappleFruits
Explore Gabon 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)
  • Mega racimos de guineos: J & E, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • കൈതച്ചക്ക: Suniltg at Malayalam Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Carica papaya - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-029: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)