The Most Popular Food in Ghana, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:38
When trying to decide what to eat in Ghana, the variety and richness of the local cuisine can be overwhelming. A ranked list of the most popular foods can serve as a guide, helping both locals and visitors make culinary choices that are likely to delight. Such rankings offer insights into national preferences and seasonal favorites, providing a snapshot of the culinary landscape.
By participating in voting, users contribute to a broader understanding of what is currently enjoyed by the majority. This dynamic ranking not only reflects real-time changes in food trends but also encourages a sense of community participation. Each vote helps to shape the evolving picture of Ghana's food scene, ensuring the list remains accurate and relevant.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Ghana?
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164votes
DromoTetteh · CC BY-SA 4.0This is a popular dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices. It is often served with chicken or beef and is a staple in many households.Jollof rice is a popular West African dish, specifically from Ghana. It is a flavorful one-pot rice dish cooked with a variety of ingredients such as rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. Jollof rice is known for its rich orange-red color and aromatic taste.- Origin: West Africa, specifically Ghana
- Main Ingredients: Rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, spices
- Color: Orange-red
- Aroma: Aromatic
- Method of Cooking: One-pot cooking
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247votesBanku is a dough-like dish made from corn and cassava dough. It is often served with grilled tilapia fish and a spicy pepper sauce. This dish is a favorite among Ghanaians, especially those from the coastal regions.Banku and Tilapia is a traditional Ghanaian dish known for its unique combination of two main ingredients: banku, a fermented corn and cassava dough, and tilapia, a popular freshwater fish. This dish reflects Ghana's rich culinary heritage and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
- Main Ingredients: Banku (fermented corn and cassava dough), Tilapia (freshwater fish)
- Preparation Style: Grilled or fried tilapia with banku
- Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, and mildly spicy
- Texture: Soft and slightly gooey banku, tender and juicy fish
- Serving Method: Served hot on a plate or wrapped in banana leaves for take-out
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320votes
Kiarasanchez12 · CC BY-SA 4.0Fufu and soup
Ghanaian cuisineFufu is a dough-like dish made from cassava, plantains, or yams. It is often served with soup, which can be made from a variety of ingredients such as okra, goat meat, or fish. This dish is a staple in many Ghanaian households.Fufu and soup is a traditional Ghanaian dish consisting of a starchy staple called fufu and a flavorful soup. Fufu is made by pounding boiled cassava, yam, or plantains until it reaches a smooth and dough-like consistency. The soup can be made with various ingredients, such as palm nut, groundnut (peanut), light or green leafy vegetables, okra, or fish. Fufu and soup is a staple dish in Ghana and is enjoyed by many Ghanaians as a hearty and satisfying meal.- Served hot: Yes
- Popular in Ghana: Yes
- Texture: Smooth and dough-like (fufu); varies depending on the soup
- Flavor: Varies based on the soup ingredients
- Eaten with hands: Yes
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419votesThis is a popular dish made from rice and beans. It is often served with a spicy pepper sauce, fried plantains, and boiled eggs. Waakye is a popular street food in Ghana and can be found at many food stalls and markets.Waakye is a popular Ghanaian dish that is loved for its unique combination of rice and beans, cooked together in a spiced tomato stew. The dish is often served with a variety of accompaniments, including fried plantains, steamed vegetables, and a spicy pepper sauce.
- Main Ingredients: Rice, Black-eyed Beans, Tomato Stew
- Spices: Ginger, Garlic, Onion, Chili Peppers, Cloves
- Accompaniments: Fried Plantains, Steamed Vegetables, Spicy Pepper Sauce
- Preparation Time: 1 hour
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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517votesThis is a spicy snack made from fried plantains. It is often seasoned with ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. Kelewele is a popular street food in Ghana and is often eaten as a snack or side dish.Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian street food made from ripe plantains. It is typically prepared by peeling and slicing ripe plantains into small pieces, then seasoned with a blend of spices including ginger, onion, garlic, chili peppers, and salt. The seasoned plantain pieces are deep-fried until golden brown and are often served hot. Kelewele is known for its unique combination of sweet and spicy flavors, making it a favorite snack or side dish in Ghana.
- Main ingredient: Ripe plantains
- Seasonings: Ginger, onion, garlic, chili peppers, salt
- Cooking method: Deep-frying
- Flavor profile: Sweet and spicy
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
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64votesThis is a popular bean stew made with black-eyed peas, palm oil, and spices. It is often served with fried plantains and is a favorite among Ghanaians.Red-red is a popular Ghanaian dish made with black-eyed peas, palm oil, and ripe plantains. It is often served with fried ripe plantains and a side of gari (a granular meal made from cassava). The dish gets its name from the vibrant red color of the palm oil used in its preparation.
- Main Ingredients: Black-eyed peas, palm oil, ripe plantains
- Color: Vibrant red
- Texture: Soft and slightly mushy
- Flavor: Savory and slightly spicy
- Serving Style: Usually served with fried ripe plantains and gari
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78votesKenkey is a steamed corn dough dish that is often served with grilled or fried fish. It is a popular dish in the coastal regions of Ghana and is often eaten for breakfast or lunch.Kenkey and fish is a traditional Ghanaian dish that consists of steamed fermented corn dough (Kenkey) served with fried or grilled fish. It is a popular street food and is also commonly consumed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The combination of the tangy and spicy Kenkey with the succulent and flavorsome fish makes it a delightful and satisfying meal.
- Main ingredients: Fermented corn dough, fish, spices
- Cooking method: Kenkey is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, while the fish is either fried or grilled
- Serving style: Kenkey and fish are typically served together on a plate
- Flavor profile: The Kenkey has a tangy and slightly sour flavor, while the fish is usually seasoned with spices such as ginger, garlic, and chili, giving it a savory and spicy taste
- Accompaniments: Kenkey and fish are commonly served with pepper sauce, shito (a spicy black pepper sauce), or fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and onions
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86votes
Kwameghana · CC BY-SA 4.0This is a popular dish in the Northern regions of Ghana. It is made from millet or corn flour and is often served with a spicy soup made from vegetables and meat.Tuo Zaafi is a traditional Ghanaian dish that originated from the northern part of the country. It is a thick porridge-like meal made from a combination of flours, primarily millet, maize or sorghum, and a variety of spices and vegetables. The dish is typically served with a flavorful soup and often enjoyed with meat or fish.- Primary Ingredients: Millet, maize or sorghum flour, spices, and vegetables
- Texture: Thick, stiff and sticky
- Preparation: Boiling the flour mixture while constantly stirring to form a smooth dough-like consistency
- Soup: Typically made with a combination of meat or fish, vegetables, and various spices
- Popular Toppings: Grilled or fried meat, beans, cowpeas, or groundnut soup
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92votes
daSupremo · CC BY-SA 4.0This is a popular dish made from cassava flakes that are stir-fried with onions, tomatoes, and chili peppers. It is often served with grilled chicken or fish and is a favorite among Ghanaians.Gari Foto is a popular Ghanaian dish made primarily from Gari (cassava granules) and various other ingredients. It is often referred to as 'Ghana's version of fried rice'.- Main ingredients: Gari (cassava granules), vegetables, protein (optional)
- Cooking method: Stir-frying
- Flavor profile: Savory, slightly spicy
- Texture: Dry and grainy
- Color: Varies depending on ingredients used
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107votesThis is a spicy sauce made from dried fish, shrimp, and chili peppers. It is often used as a condiment for many Ghanaian dishes and is a staple in many households.Shito is a popular spicy black sauce that originated from Ghana. It is known for its rich and intense flavors which make it a staple condiment in Ghanaian cuisine. The sauce is primarily made from a blend of fish, vegetables, spices, and oil, resulting in a dark and thick consistency. It is typically used as a sauce or dip and adds a spicy kick to various dishes.
- Origin: Ghana
- Color: Black
- Consistency: Thick
- Flavor: Spicy and savory
- Ingredients: Fish, vegetables, spices, oil
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular food
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Cultural significanceAssess the cultural importance of the food in Ghanaian society. Consider traditional meals that have been passed down through generations and hold significance during special occasions or festivals.
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Frequency of consumptionGauge how often a particular food is consumed by measuring its regular presence in daily meals or its popularity during special events or gatherings.
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Availability of ingredientsThe ease with which ingredients can be sourced will affect the popularity of a food. Foods that feature commonly available ingredients are more likely to be popular.
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AffordabilityCost plays a crucial role in determining the popularity of a food. Foods that are relatively inexpensive and offer good value for money are likely to be more popular among the masses.
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Taste and flavorThe overall taste and flavor of the food play a significant role in determining its popularity. Foods that are widely considered to be delicious and satisfying are likely to be more popular.
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Nutritional valueThe health benefits of a particular food can affect its popularity, especially in an increasingly health-conscious society. Foods that are nutrient-rich and provide essential vitamins and minerals may be more popular.
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Ease of preparationFoods that are easy to prepare and cook could be more popular, as convenience is an important factor in people's food choices.
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VersatilityHow well a food can be adapted to fit different tastes or dietary restrictions can impact its popularity. Foods that are versatile and can be modified to suit various preferences and needs are likely to be more popular.
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Influence of media and marketingMonitor the effects that media and marketing have on the popularity of certain foods. Foods that are heavily promoted through advertising campaigns or endorsed by popular figures may experience a boost in popularity.
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Regional popularityBe aware that food preferences may differ between regions in Ghana, so consider regional variations when assessing the popularity of specific dishes.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Ghana. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1340 views
- 187 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in ghana
Ghana is a country in West Africa with a rich and diverse culinary culture. The most popular food in Ghana is undoubtedly fufu, a starchy dish made from cassava, yam or plantain, which is often served with soup or stew. Other popular dishes include jollof rice, banku (made from fermented corn and cassava dough), and waakye (a rice and beans dish). Ghanaian cuisine also features an array of spicy sauces and seasonings, such as shito (a black pepper sauce), and suya (a spicy peanut sauce). With its unique blend of flavors and ingredients, Ghanaian cuisine is truly one of a kind.
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