Taste GhanaLike a Local
From street food that stops you in your tracks to home-cooked meals that feel like family— this is food with soul.
Food That SpeaksTo Your Palate
Not all taste buds are created equal. Take our 2-minute quiz and discover dishes that match your unique flavor profile—from adventurous to comfort-loving.
Take the Taste QuizWhen & Where to Eat
Most Ghanans' decision to eat is as much primal as it is instinctive and communal. Certain delicacies rule on certain days: Sunday Omo Tuo, early morning Waakye, night-time Kelewele or Suya, and all-day Kookoo or boiled eggs with spicy tomato sauce.
These foods are part of everyday life—woven into the fabric of society and transcending ethnicities and cities. Picture this: you're at a bustling transportation hub. Passengers look tired, eager to get home. Yet around them, a thriving micro-economy buzzes—vendors selling, hawkers calling, aromas drifting.
Amid it all, there's a harmony—the low bleats of goats, barking dogs, clucking chickens, chirping crickets, Trotro mates (bus conductors) shouting their destinations and stops. It's a symphony of a community in motion. You don't always notice when the day ends or begins, but you feel the shift. And food is always at the center of it.
Must-Try Dishes
A visual journey through Ghana's most beloved dishes
Fufu & Light Soup
Jollof Rice
Banku & Tilapia
Waakye
Kelewele
Red Red
Omo Tuo
Tuo Zaafi
Understanding the Cuisine
The key elements that make Ghanan food unique
Food & Ethnic Affiliations
To understand local Ghanan cuisine, you must understand the ethnic roots of each dish. Ghana has over 10 major tribes, each with its signature cuisine.
Fufu? That's Akan. Kenkey and fried fish with shito? Ga. Tuo Zaafi? Northern tribes. Akple? Ewe. Each group has signature dishes, and many have more than one.
Sweet, Savory, and In Between
When exploring Ghanan cuisine, think in flavor profiles: Sweet, Savory, and Sweet & Savory. Most people lean toward savory.
Take plantain: Fried sweet plantain? Sweet. Make it into Kelewele with pepper? Sweet & savory. Unripe plantain in fufu? Purely savory.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
"I'm vegetarian. I'm vegan. What now?" Don't worry—you won't starve, but you'll need to navigate thoughtfully.
Most dishes can be made without meat, but meat (including meat stock or bone broth) is a core flavor source. Communicate clearly with vendors and chefs.
Foods for Special Occasions
This is the soul of the culture. Consider Jollof eaten regularly vs. how it transforms during special occasions.
There are two types: Special occasion cuisine and specialty cuisines for rarer occasions like weddings, funerals, and festivals.
Before You Go
Essential tips for your culinary adventure
Pack Imodium. Local food is fresh and sometimes spicy—your body may need time to adjust.
Bathrooms are not everywhere. Plan accordingly before your food adventures.
Use hand sanitizer—many local dishes are eaten with your hands.
Decide your adventure level. From fine dining to street food, all offer something special.
Street smarts: The best food often comes from places known by the owner's name.
Local beats upscale. Some of the best meals come from random spots with no signs—just vibes.
Your Food JourneyStarts Now
Discover your taste profile and find restaurants that match your flavor personality.