Cuisine in Benin

Pâte de Maïs

Sticky staple made from corn flour paste, eaten with peanut sauce or fish stew

• Region: South
• Main ingredients: Corn flour, Water, Salt

Amiwo

Red corn flour cooked with tomato, chili, and oil; chicken sauce is standard

• Region: Nationwide
• Main ingredients: Corn flour, Tomato paste, Palm oil

Alloco

Sweet snack of ripe plantains fried golden

• Region: Southern coast
• Main ingredients: Plantain, Palm oil, Salt

Kulikuli

Snack bar of crushed peanuts mixed with spices and fried

• Region: North
• Main ingredients: Peanuts, Chili, Salt

Dahomey Fish Stew

Representative home dish of white fish simmered in tomato sauce, poured over rice or pâte

• Region: Coastal areas
• Main ingredients: Fish, Tomato, Onion, Chili

Igname Pilée (Yam Pilée)

Elastic staple made by pounding boiled yam; eaten with peanut sauce

• Region: Central-North
• Main ingredients: Yam, Water

Soubô

Fermented millet beverage popular for heat relief

• Region: North
• Main ingredients: Pearl millet, Ginger, Sugar

Tchéké

Couscous-like steamed cassava flour served with grilled fish and onion sauce

• Region: South
• Main ingredients: Cassava, Salt

Poisson Braisé

Street food of charcoal-grilled fish rubbed with aromatic spices

• Region: Port cities
• Main ingredients: Fish, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon

Dégué

Sweet-sour dessert drink mixing millet grains with yogurt

• Region: Urban areas
• Main ingredients: Millet, Yogurt, Sugar