21 Traditional Cameroonian Foods to Feed your Soul
Enjoy 21 traditional Cameroonian foods to feed your soul. Spicy, comforting, and easy staple West-Central African delicacies. Everything from easy one-pot recipes to traditional holiday dishes. You will be thrilled with this list!
May is Cameroon Independence Month and my birthday month, YAY! Yes! I’ll be turning 21－again. Hahaha. My son says I can’t be turning 21 every year, and I replied, “Moms can do anything.” I refuse to age.
Anyways, many Cameroonians celebrate our independence with a good party, and no party would be complete without traditional meals to mark the occasion. It would be impossible to list all the tasty foods from the rich Cameroon food culture. Believe me, I tried, losing sleep, and still not able to come up with a complete list. Arrrgh!!!
The Cameroon Collection
So here are 21 foods from my home country that you just have to try. It will give you a feel of Cameroon cuisine if you are new to it. The flavors are enticing, rich, and oh so comforting. I would happily gobble it down every day of the week. And the snacks! Oh boy! Give me some puff puff, meat pies, or suya, and you will win me over.
1. Ndole
At the top of my list of favorite Cameroonian foods is Ndole. Oh yes! And it’s rumored to be the unofficial Cameroon national dish.
2. Poulet DG
Forget about le Directeur Général (the boss). Anyone can make this elitist chicken dish. It’s now available in every restaurant in Cameroon and can be enjoyed by ANYONE, ANYWHERE.
3. Ekwang
It might be tedious to make, but it sure is worth the effort. Magic happens when grated cocoyams are cooked with cocoyam leaves and dried fish, crayfish, and palm oil (NOT the controversial palm oil). I dare you to resist going back for more.
4. Achu Soup
This gloriously yellow soup is quite controversial, not for arguing about, but it’s a delicate soup that can go wrong if not done right. However, I give you the right technique to get in and get going in less than no time.
5. Sese Plantains
Aka turning plantains is a lifesaver in my home. Everyone loves them, and they’re so easy to put together.
6. Accra Cassava
Nothing is better than a two-ingredient recipe, right? These banana fritters come together quickly with store-bought grated cassava. I also love whole wheat accra banana for a healthier twist.
7. Hot Pot Potatoes
Add this beauty to your weeknight menu. With a few ingredients, you can have dinner ready in less than no time. And it’s all cooked in one pot for even easier cleanup.
8. Jollof Rice (Jellof Rice)
Forget about the Jollof rice wars. Head over to the kitchen and make this easy Cameroonian version (or Nigerian). Let the haters fight while you enjoy either my version or baked jollof rice.
9. Kati Kati
Brace yourself because you’re going to forget all your manners when you dive into this chicken. And if you eat the bones too, no worries, I don’t judge.
10. Cabbage Egusi Soup
This egusi soup features a healthy upgrade with cabbage without losing flavor for guilt-free comfort food. If you can’t find egusi, simply grind up some pumpkin seeds, and you’re good to go.
11. Meat Pies
Who can say no to these flaky pastries filled with minced beef, onions, and aromatics? They’ll disappear before you know it, so make a double batch to make sure you have enough to go around.
12. Koki Corn
Who says African food can’t be healthy? This koki corn is vegan, healthy, and loaded with spinach. If you want to up your plant-based game, this recipe is the perfect place to start.
13. Mbongo Tchobi
Get your plantains ready and put aside all preconceptions about this black soup. The flavors all blend together, and you’ll forget about the looks once you dig in.
14. Kwacoco Bible
Grated cocoyams, fish, and crayfish wrapped in plantain leaves, then steamed until cooked through, are a healthy and satisfying treat. It will take you to the heart of the Bakweri tribe.
15. Groundnut Sweet
You will go NUTS for these nuts. A must-try street food that has the right crunch, sweetness, and nuttiness. I dare you to try to stop after one.
16. Chicken Stew
Everyone needs a good stew in their repertoire, especially for Christmas. When cold weather comes around, you’ve got this. It definitely doesn’t disappoint.
17. Pepper Sauce
There are as many different pepper sauces in Cameroon as there are cooks. But one thing is the same: we put it on EVERYTHING. And if you want a traditional West African meal, pepper sauce needs to be on the table.
18. Kondres
Don’t let the ingredient list fool you―this one-pot plantain wonder is quick to put together and leaves your taste buds wanting more.
19. Eru Soup
Serve this meaty greens soup when you’re set for this taste bud sensation. All you need is water fufu to complete the meal.
20. Condensed Milk Cake
While not a traditional Cameroon recipe, it has become quite popular and is definitely a must-try. It’s indulgent, quick, and easy.
21. Fish Rolls
If you make these, please send some my way. Can’t seem to have enough of these; they’re soooo addictive. Delightfully crispy on the outside and soft and meaty on the inside.
By Imma, published for the first time on May 4, 2017, and updated with gorgeous photos.
I love the recipe so much thanks for sharing
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Honestly am a Cameroonian who lives in Nigeria presently as I saw this dishes infact my appetite was waooh I really miss this dishes
Awesome!!! Can’t wait to know how it turns out for you.
I soo love it!
Thank you so much, Soni! Stay tined to have more Cameroonian recipe:)
I haven’t tried any yet, but these recipes look delicious! I can’t wait to try them out.
Yeah, exactly they are very delicious. Plan to try them and don’t forget to share your experience. Thank you
I love the recipes and pictures
Amazing work here
Thank you so much for your comment. YOu must try this and tell me how it goes.
Thank you for this. I just received my DNA results and my history is Cameroon!!!! Im also born in the month of May!!! I cant wait to try these.
Woohoo! Looking forward for you to try these. Enjoy!
Wow it’s lovely
Thank you. These sure hit the spot.
I am a lucky Native California guy who Married a Cameroonian farm girl that knows all these dishes, I must say I have had them all, and my favorite if not on the list, Pepper Soup with cube and towel beef.
Thank youu! Glad you liked it!
Yeahhh!! You Got it bros!
Oh! Wow!
Hi there!Am from Ghana and I must say Cameroonian food looks damnn appetizing…I wish I could scoop some of the dishes there..Amazing work done!
Thank you, Afia! 🙂
I really love how you descripted the foods and how/why you liked them. I’m actually from cameroon myself and was just making sure you got the names description and picture of the food just right. also did you add puf puf or pof pof? its my favorite food and I didn’t see it there! so if you wanted any recommendations here’s mine.
Thank you, Demarie! I have a couple of puff puff recipes, too 🙂
Thanks for sharing these recipes i really love trying to cook Cameroon dishes. One of my favorite is “Sanga” . When abroad you tend not to realize how much you miss the dishes you had while growing up, your home meals. This is traditional meal in Cameroon. Its made with maize, cassava leaf, and palm nut juice in Cameroonian cuisine. The leaves are mashed and the cooked mixture becomes a thick stew. Its really delicious, i cook it often as the ingredients are easily available even if your not in an African country.
Thank you for sharing, Mifa Corner! 🙂
every dish here is on point. i loved how you did the display for all of the photos. It really brought out the vibrancy of all of these iconic Cameroonian dishes. I have followed on Youtube, and Insta and cannot wait to see more of what you create!
I love this receipt
Thank you for the feedback!
It’s with so much excitement that I find all these images and piece of information. I was really stranded for my presentation about Cameroon customs and traditions. Thanks a million for sharing. I think it’ll really go a long way to increase my credit in this course I’m about to present. ❤️ Cameroon Is really rich and beautiful
Thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate it a lot. Stay awesome & safe!
Yes Cameroon is a beautiful place.
Thank you for sharing these fantastic recipes. I look forward to preparing these delicious dishes and hope to learn more about Cameroon., which was featured in a movie.
Awesome! So thrilled to have you have Nena. Happy Cooking! 🙂
Do you have a recipe for Poulet DG? I searched your blog but couldn’t find it. Thanks!
Yes I Do have two. Check it out here https://www.africanbites.com/poulet-d-g/ and here https://www.africanbites.com/chicken-plantains-and-vegetables/. Enjoy!!
Almost all of them aren’t Cameroon recipe
I’m not sure this commentator is from Cameroon.
If we comb thru the more than 200 tribes, we will certes add dozens to this list of typical Cameroon cuisine.
Yes we would, so many different recipes to share.
Thanks so much. Im American, the food here is literally killing us. It really helps when I see what traditional Africans eat. So I can cook it for my family to. The receipes are delicious. Thanks MA
Awesome! Let me know which ones you try out.
Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for Cameroonian foods to make for my fiancé. He’s a cameroonian implant to Turkey and he has really missed the foods of his home, soon he will be moving to the US to be with me and I want him to feel welcome in his new home. When I showed him the picture of eru from your blog he got really excited. I can’t wait to make it for him.
You are welcome Brandi. There is nothing like one’s home food. He is one lucky guy! Let me know how it turns out!
Thanks for all the recipes!! I learnt about Cameroonian food (to eat and also to cook) from my friends while studying abroad. Now that it´s time for each of us to continue with our paths, I will miss my cameroonian “family” and their food (I became a crazy fan of Eru!). That’s why, I was looking for the recipes to take back home and try to make them for my relatives (if I find the ingredients lol!). Thank you so much, keeping this recipes is kind of keeping the memories I have with my friends 😉
Hi Millie,
SO happy to hear these recipes are a great resource. Always here to help incase you have any questions.