One of the most fascinating things about Uganda is the country’s diverse food culture. From north to east, west to south, every region of the country offers its own unique culinary experience. Today we focus on some of the easiest and quickest Ugandan snacks you can whip up within an average of 15 minutes.
Samosas
Samosa, samoosa, sambusa, or samboksa, is a fried or baked dish with savoury fillings, such as spiced potatoes, onions, carrots, peas, rice, chicken, minced lamb or minced beef. Served hot, samosas are super delicious and can be eaten as starters or added to your breakfast menu and washed down with tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Mandazi
Mandazi is another easy to make delicacy that is very popular in Uganda and the entire eastern Africa region. Ingredients include milk (or coconut milk, specifically), yeast, sugar, flour and water.
Gonja/plantain
A delicacy in West and East Africa as well as in Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, fried plantain is an easy to make snack that is very delicious.
Fried plantain may be served as a snack, a starter or as a side dish to the main course. It is made in different ways: salted or unsalted, cut into “ears”, “fingers”, can be diced, or fried whole.
Chapati
Chapati, also known as roti, safati and shabaat in different parts of the world, is a common, easy to make snack in Uganda.
Chapati is made of whole wheat flour, salt and water mixed into dough and then flattened. It can be eaten for breakfast, or as kikomando (chapatti and beans) for lunch or supper.
First invented in the 1990s as a cheap alternative for University students, Kikomando is now a quintessential street food offering in Uganda and can also be found in some formal restaurants.
Kabalagala (pancakes)
Made from the small sweet bananas or overripe plantain and flour, this is a delicacy that many Ugandans enjoy at home in many areas across the country.
If you are the kind of person who likes to snap your fingers and make things happen or are generally too lazy to cook on weekends, then just head to Jumia Food; with one click on the breakfast menu for most restaurants around Kampala, all these options will be available for you.