Food and Drink Guide to Cameroon: What to Eat and Drink

Why Cameroon is a food lover's country

Cameroon is often called "Africa in miniature," and its food reflects that range. With more than 250 ethnic groups, you'll find rich stews in the south, grilled meat in the north, and a strong French baguette habit everywhere. Meals are generous, sociable, and built around a starchy base plus a flavorful sauce.

Signature dishes to try

• Ndolé — the unofficial national dish: bitterleaf greens cooked with ground peanuts, dried fish or shrimp, and meat. Rich, slightly bitter, and deeply satisfying.
• Poulet DG ("Directeur Général chicken") — fried chicken with plantains, peppers and vegetables; a celebratory favorite.
• Eru — finely chopped wild greens with waterleaf, palm oil and meat or fish, popular in the Southwest.
• Achu — pounded cocoyam with yellow palm-oil soup, an Northwest specialty.
• Koki — steamed black-eyed pea pudding wrapped in leaves.

Street food and snacks

Street eating is half the fun. Look for:

• Soya — spiced grilled beef skewers, the northern cousin of suya, sold at night stalls.
• Poisson braisé — whole fish grilled over charcoal, served with miondo (fermented cassava sticks) and hot pepper sauce.
• Puff-puff — sweet fried dough balls, perfect with morning coffee.
• Beignets-haricots-bouillie — fritters, beans and pap, the classic Cameroonian breakfast.
• Plantain chips and roasted corn with coconut at the roadside.

Expect to pay roughly 1,000–3,000 CFA francs (about 1.50–4.50 EUR) for a hearty street plate.

What to drink

• Coffee and cocoa — Cameroon grows both; ask for local arabica in the Western Highlands.
• Beer — "33" Export, Castel and Mützig are everywhere; a cold bottle is a national ritual.
• Palm wine (matango) — naturally fermented, tapped fresh, cloudy and lively.
• Bil-bil — a northern millet beer served in calabashes.
• Folere/bissap — tart hibiscus juice, and fresh ginger drinks, are refreshing non-alcoholic options.

Practical dining tips

• Wash and eat with your right hand when sharing communal dishes.
• Tap water isn't reliable; stick to bottled or filtered water.
• Tell the cook "piment" if you want it spicy, or ask to keep the chili on the side.
• Tipping isn't required but rounding up is appreciated.
• Markets like Marché Central in Yaoundé or Marché Mokolo are great for fruit and snacks.

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