10 Most Popular Foods in Benin

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With the blend of African and European flavors, Benin gives some of the most delicious foods in the world. Their foods are popular for their amazing sauces, which accompany almost all foods in the country, from foods in fancy restaurants to street food items.

In this article, we will tell you what dishes to try when you visit Benin. We have picked the 10 most popular foods in Benin; these are some of the must-try cuisines in the country.

Table of Contents

1. Aloko

The spicy and extremely delicious plantain called aloko is one of the most popular snacks in Benin. Locals love eating aloko with peanuts. It is super easy to prepare, and it won’t take much of your time. The main ingredients in this food are lemon, nutmeg, salt, and oil. However, you can also add bouillon powder cubes.

Recipe for aloko

2. Kuli-Kuli

The national dish of Benin, kuli-kuli, is a pure blend of proteins and nutrition. It is very simple yet healthy food. It is prepared with smashed peanuts, which are transferred into biscuits and then deep-fried in oil.

Recipe for kuli-kuli

3. Dahomey Fish Stew

This traditional Beninese dish consists of fillets. The fillets are taken from the low-fat and highly firm fish. These are then rolled in flour and then fried. The fried ingredients are combined with tomatoes and onions and are served with rice.

Recipe for dohamey fish stew

4. Akpan

Akpan is delicious Beninese dumplings made of fried corn. It is normally served with a dipping sauce. It is very common street food in the country, and you must try them out. The main ingredients in Akpan are cornflour and water.

Recipe for Akpan

5. Yovo Doko

Another mouthwatering street food from Benin, yovo doko, is also the national dessert of the country. This sweet treat is made of sugar, yeast, flour, and water. The dough is then deep-fried in oil. Once cooked, the food becomes crusty from the exterior while its interior remains soft.

Recipe for yovo doko

6. Wagassi

Wagassi, or in simple words, the Beninese cheese, is something both locals and visitors love. It has a very mild flavor with red rind. Traditionally, wagassi was prepared by the women of the Fulani people. However, today its production is highly common in Benin.

Recipe for wagassi

7. Fufu and Garri

Also locally known as eba, fufu and garri have roots in Nigeria. However, it is widely cooked and eaten in Benin too. It is prepared by processing cassava which they call garri. There are various methods for preparing and eating fufu and garri.

Recipe for fufu and garri

8. Akkara

Akkara is a very delicious appetizer or snack. You don’t need a specific time for eating this food. It has a bean-like taste. The main ingredients required for preparing akkara are dried white beans, salt, chopped onions, flour, cayenne pepper, and oil.

Recipe for akkara

9. Peanut Soup

Extremely healthy and delicious peanut soup is something every Beninese love. It is made with peanuts, onions, tomatoes, butter, salt, black pepper, cayenne, coriander, garlic cloves, etc. However, some people also add other ingredients like carrots for better taste.

Recipe for peanut soup

10. Ago Glain

Ago glain is a stew from Benin. It is prepared with shellfish like a crab. Other ingredients in the recipe are chilies, tomatoes, peanut butter, vinegar, onions, palm oil, parsley, and salt and pepper. It is served with rice, and locals enjoy this food.

Recipe for ago glain