Waakye is one of the most popular meals in Ghana.

The only thing more popular than it in Ghana is Ghana Jollof (which to be honest I think is just okay but what do I know?)

It is a staple rice dish cooked with rice, red or black-eyed beans and dried millet leaves.

You can find it at almost every local food spot in Ghana. It can be eaten as breakfast, lunch and even dinner.

Origin

The meal originated from the Northern part of Ghana where rice and beans are staple food crops.

Hence why Northern/Muslim women just tend to make the best Waakye (I know because I only buy from them and it’s amazing).

Why is Waakye special?

Everybody loves a good Waakye meal, it’s always available and the combination of rice and beans with shito (black pepper) is an obvious taste of heaven in your mouth.

Doubt us? Check out the #waakyewednesday hash tag on Instagram, okay here is why I absolutely love it.

It is always available

There is a Waakye joint everywhere, on almost every street, chop bar and food spot in Ghana. You can get it in the morning, afternoon and night. Even high end restaurants sell it, that’s how readily available it is.

Balanced diet for cheap

A well-rounded Waakye dish contains all 7 classes of food, including water because all that shito will make you very thirsty. Did we mention you get all this for cheap? With just 6 cedis/ 300 naira/ $1.25 you can enjoy a full dish.

Waakye – 2 cedis

Garri and Macroni – 1 cedi

Fish or Wele/ boiled eggs – 2 cedis

Leaves – 1 cedi

It’s just awesome

More than anything else we love it simply because it is just awesome, offer so much for less and it’s really tasty. I assume it will be difficult to make at home but you don’t need to worry about that because it’s everywhere and did we mention its super filling.

Here is a recipe anyway.

Be Adventurous

If you are new in Ghana, visiting for the first time or you simply are skeptical about new food, you need to try Waakye.

Waakye is absolutely fool-proof, it is important to make sure you buy from healthy spots and if you have a Obroni stomach make sure to stick to little or no black pepper (kpakposhito).

Tips to buying the best Waakye

If you are looking for the ultimate Waakye experience, check out this blog post by food blogger Naa Oyoo Quartey. She offers insider tips on finding and tasting the best Waakye.

Are you a Waakye fanatic? Share your favorite spot with us. Tried it recently? Share your thoughts with us.

Thank you for visiting the blog today.