Food in

Namibia

You probably can’t think of what to eat in Namibia, well, what will surprise you the most is the large amount of international variety, mostly from German and English cooking.  Its colonial past leaves a mark on Namibian gastronomy, so if you want to try the true Namibian cuisine, you will have to look for the right restaurants.

The gastronomy of Namibia is mostly based on meat, indeed, an almost infinite variety of meats.  In Namibia they make numerous dishes with ostrich, antelope, zebra, giraffe, oryx, kudu, lamb and beef.

The way of cooking the meat is generally to grill it, and then to dress it with rich and tasty sauces.  You will also find famous British Fish & Chips and German sausages  throughout the country.

But, taking away the European influence, we are going to find out what the more traditional typical dishes to eat in Namibia are.

 

Mahangu soup

This soup is one of the typical dishes of Namibia which is made with fish, goat meat or lamb and rice.  The ingredients are mixed in an iron pot, mahangu or millet is its main ingredient. This cereal is the basic food of the Ovambo people.

 

Mieliepap

They also make mielie, or corn flour, soups with the same ingredients as the previous one, accompanied with peppers and onions, vegetables which form part of the basic diet of the Namibian people.

 

Potjiekos

To make this typical dish of Namibia, a small iron pot is used, called a potjie. This pot has three feet, it is placed on a fire outside and the ingredients are placed in it, which is mainly game meat.

To make this dish, venison and poultry are used, along with carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin and potato starch.  Fresh herbs and spices are added to give it a unique flavour.

 

Meat skewers

Meat skewers are another of the typical dishes to eat in Namibia, and you will find them almost anywhere.  To make this dish, Namibian chefs use ostrich or crocodile meat, or both.  They add stock, lemon, red chilli, peanut butter, cashew nuts, coconut milk, salt and pepper.

 

Bullfrog

This is perhaps one of the most exotic dishes from Namibian gastronomy.  The bullfrog is eaten in the north of the country, where its inhabitants cook it covering the saucepans with dry Omuhongo wood.  This is essential to prevent poisoning, so it is only worth trying if it has been cooked in the traditional way.

 

Hake fillets

Fish is another of the highlights of Namibian cooking, the quality of the hake is excellent.  You can find many recipes, but hake fillets in cuttlefish sauce are the best.  To make it, they use hake, clams, cuttlefish, carrots, onion and salt.

 

Oysters and green asparagus from Swakopmund

Oysters are the highlight of this part of the country, and without a doubt they are something to try during your trip to Namibia.  Their quality is superior, and the preparation varies depending on the restaurant you go to.  It is a highly valued dish by tourists as well as Namibians themselves, so you must try them.

Also in Swakopmund, you will be able to try another of its specialities: green asparagus.  Soft and meaty asparagus that is nothing like the asparagus you’ve tried before.

 

Lobster from Luderitz

If you visit Ludertiz, the typical dish of Namibian gastronomy to eat here is lobster.  Exquisite and huge lobsters are cooked in the best way in any restaurant in this African town.

 

Namibian olives

Namibia also produces olives, in fact, its kalamata variety produces a crop of very good black olives.  There is also a variety of green olives that you will have no problem finding in the numerous hotels and tourist lodges.

As well as the dishes of game and fish, and traditional soups, Namibia also offers you desserts and drinks, although in this case, of a clear German influence.

 

Typical German dishes in Namibia

The famous Landjäger smoked sausage, or dried spicy sausages are another of the typical dishes to eat in Namibia, as strange as it might seem.  You will also find typical German salted bread rolls, filled with cheese, meat or eggs. Sauerkraut is another of the German dishes you will be able to try in Namibia if you haven’t already tried it.

In terms of desserts, all of the restaurants in the country have Apple strudel or typical German apple cake, as well as the famous Black forest gateaux.

To accompany each dish, don’t hesitate to ask for a Windhoek Lager, the national beer, clearly of German origin.  That was our guide to the flavours of Namibia, a country that lives with its colonial past and its more traditional customs.