Gabonese cuisine facts for kids

Location of Gabon

Cassava root, peeled. Cassava is a significant staple food in Gabon

A split coconut

Gabonese cuisine is the cooking traditions, practices, foods and dishes associated with Gabon, a sovereign state on the west coast of Central Africa. French cuisine is prevalent as a notable influence, and in larger cities various French specialties are available. In rural areas, food staples such as cassava, rice and yams are commonly used.

Meats, when available, include chicken and fish, and bush meats such as antelope, wild boar and monkey. Sauces are often used, with hot red-pepper berbere paste being a common example.

Fruits include bananas, papayas, guavas, mangoes, pineapples, coconuts, avocado and peanuts. Plantains, tomatoes, corn, and eggplant are also used.

Common foods and dishes

• Atanga (Dacryodes edulis), sometimes called "bush butter", is a firm fruit that is boiled and often used as a spread on bread
• Beignets, a deep-fried pastry, are very common
• Brochettes
• Dried meats, particularly in rural areas
• Fufu, a dish made from pounded cassava
• Nyembwe, chicken with pine nuts
• Mustard chicken with garlic, onions, and lemon juice
• Meat stews
• Congo Chewies (originated in Congo, served as dessert)
• Seafood
• Smoked fish
• Baked bananas, coated with bread crumbs and served with sour cream and brown sugar
• Gari, a cassava flour prepared as a porridge
• Plantains, whole, crushed and mashed

See also

In Spanish: Gastronomía de Gabón para niños