Thumpy Rose Benin is a great vacation destination because it is a welcoming country, full of life, and has significant cultural diversity. You certainly won’t regret it if you ever visited. Moreover, this small Western African country is full of countless traditional Benin food that will seduce you during your trip. Before you go, discover 5 key products in Benin recipes and we will get down to the nitty-gritty of its popular man sauce (short for Mantindjan); authentic African food is fascinating. Indeed, Benin traditional food is rich and varies from one region to another.
Whatever your cuisine preferences are, you will find at least one or two hearty Benin dishes to please you. Also, be sure to learn about Benin’s popular fruits and fix yourself a tasty Benin dessert or a refreshing drink. Curious to know more about Beninese gastronomy? Follow this guide to discover much more. Let’s get started!
Mantindjan or Man
Mantindjan is commonly called “vegetable” in English. People in southern and central Benin love Mantindjan or Man for short. Many cook the “Mantindjan sauce” with different kinds of vegetables including:
- Gboman- grande morelle
- Fotete – green amaranth
- Fonman – guess what this means
Man sauce originated in southern Benin. It is one of the best Man Sauce. Did you know young women cook this sauce, particularly for husbands they love and cherish?
Related: Beans In Benin
Needless to say, you should not eat Mantindjan sauce as-is. Instead, eat it with either white pasta (called Wô) or Akassa (fermented maize yogurt). Compared to our Ogbono stew recipe, Mantindjan is a hearty meal you can enjoy.
Corn in Benin food recipes
Undoubtedly, Corn is one of the best authentic African food ingredients. You will find it used in almost every staple food, including Djèwo (which means salty pasta in the Fongbé language). In fact, Amiwô or Djèwô dish is made from corn dough that is seasoned with sauce. What a wholesome fast-food meal.
People in the North and south of Benin regard these corn dishes as authentic Beninese dishes so you can expect to find them easily. Benin traditional food obliges to accompany the Amiwo dishes with meat protein but you can always eat it with plant protein like tofu or wheat gluten. In certain Northern Regions, people eat Amiwô or Djèwô with seasoned vegetable sauce. Certainly, the white corn pasta is delicious with any type of sauce.
Rice Flour
Next is Ablo or ‘rice cake. It is one of Benin traditional food that is made with rice flour. In fact, rice can be shaped in different ways so this is a fun activity to engage your children with. There are so many ways rice is eaten in Benin. One can cook rice pasta with tomato sauce or rice with legumes. Some people stuff the rice cake with deliciously seasoned vegetables so you can imagine the pleasant aroma it creates. Authentic African food ingredient like this is the backbone of Moni-kalama.
Geographically, expect to eat Ablo or rice cake mainly in southern Benin. You might find rice cakes in some restaurants throughout the country. Benin street vendors in towns such as Parakou, Natitingou, Boukombe, or Tanguieta may sell Ablo (rice cake). Clearly, there are many food items one can eat a Man Sauce with.
Toubani in Benin food recipes
Toubani is made of bean flour or cassava flour. It is only prepared in Northern Benin. Keep in mind, this appetizing meal is lighter if you use bean flour instead of cassava flour. In fact, most Benin people eat this hot meal in the morning because it gives you a boost of energy to start your day. Authentically speaking, use dry chili oil to eat Toubani with.
Wassa wassa: A Traditional Beninese Staple
If you cross Benin from south to north, you will find Wassawassa sold everywhere, especially in the North. It seems like Northen Benin has rich ingredients compared to everywhere else in the country. Anyway, Wassa wassa is a yam dish that is seasoned and fired to perfection.
Most often, In the Bassila region, Wassawassa is eaten with Kpaman, a cheese or animal product. However, in the city of Natitingou or Parakou, people eat Wassawassa with soy cheese. Onward vegetarians, remember to visit Parakou during your trip to Benin. Better yet, we will show you how to create many of these staple products in Benin recipes. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss new posts.
In Closing
Alas, we conclude our famous journey to discover 5 essential food products used in Benin recipes. Did you remember? Comment below? To make the most of your food excursion, we encourage you to check in here before your next trip to Benin. Make this guide your partner. We will dish out a lot more about Benin food lifestyle and food customs.
Have you visited Benin before? What was most memorable about your trip to Benin? Curious about a no-animal-meat food lifestyle? peep instagram to see what I eat live😊.
