International cuisines-and the local customs that surround them-have become the driving force behind many people's' travel decisions these days. Along with all of that culinary exploration comes a higher demand for varied international cuisines at home.
Already one of the most sought-after cuisines-most major cities now sport at least one Ethiopian restaurant-African food is colorful and diverse like the continent itself.
It's on track to set the culinary world alight in 2018.
With this in mind, the people behind Jumia Food and Travel have put together their top picks for the tastiest African food you should be sampling next year and which country it originates from. Taking inspiration from their list, here are seven African foods you need to try in the New Year:
The Ndole, Cameroon
Many jokingly compare The Ndole to the Cameroonian flag, due to the fact it's worshipped by children and revered by the elders. It consists of spinach, fresh peanut paste, crayfish, shrimp and on-the-bone beef and is usually served with plantains and/or rice.
Ofada Rice, Nigeria
This dish gets its name from a variety of rice that is grown in Nigeria and has a speckled brown appearance (similar to that of wholegrain rice). It is typically served with a thick goat sauce and plantain for the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Koshari, Egypt
Eaten by families the length and breadth of the country, koshari is a hearty vegetarian dish of rice, lentils, macaroni, garlic and chickpeas, all bound together in a spicy tomato sauce.
Biltong, South Africa
Move over jerky, there's a new high-protein snack in town.
Biltong is made from a variety of different dried, cured meats-everything from beef to game or even ostrich-that are thin-sliced.
Locals snack on it in much the same way we do with jerky; the main difference being that biltong meat is hung and air-dried as opposed to being cooked. This means it can be served in a variety of different ways (soft, medium or hard).
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