Togo might be a small country tucked away on West Africa’s coastline, but its flavors are anything but tiny.
From savory stews bubbling with bold spices to crispy street snacks you can’t stop munching, Togolese food is full of comfort, culture, and charisma.
If you’ve never tasted it, well, you’re seriously missing out on one of the most exciting food journeys your palate could ever take.
In this list, we’re diving headfirst into the best Togolese recipes you’ve gotta try at least once in your life.
Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore new flavors, or you just want to mix up your dinner rotation with something vibrant and soulful, these dishes will blow your mind in the best way.
So grab a wooden spoon, crank up your favorite playlist, and let’s cook our way through the heart of Togo.
1. Fufu with Groundnut Soup
Fufu isn’t just food; it’s an experience. You’re not slicing it with a knife or poking it with a fork—you’re grabbing a piece, scooping up soup, and diving in.
Made by pounding boiled cassava and green plantains into a smooth dough-like consistency, fufu is the starchy backbone of many Togolese meals.
The real star, though, is the groundnut soup. Rich, nutty, and spicy in all the right ways.
It’s made with blended peanuts, tomato paste, onions, and chili peppers, then simmered with tender pieces of chicken or beef (but always halal-friendly).
Ingredients: Cassava, green plantains, raw peanuts, tomato paste, onion, garlic, chili pepper, chicken or beef (halal), oil, salt, water
How to Make It: Boil cassava and plantains until soft, then pound until smooth. Roast and blend peanuts into a paste.
In a pot, saute onions, garlic, and chili, then add tomato paste and the peanut mixture.
Add in the meat, pour in water, and let everything simmer until the oil floats and flavors marry.
Why we picked it:
Fufu with groundnut soup is a hands-on, hearty dish that screams comfort.
It’s one of Togo’s most iconic meals, and it totally deserves a spot on your plate.
2. Ablo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
These soft, slightly sweet rice cakes are like little pillows of joy. Ablo is a Togolese staple often served alongside spicy stews or grilled meat.
They’re steamed instead of baked or fried, which gives them a bouncy texture that’s just so satisfying.
Slightly fermented, these cakes have a tang that plays so well with bold, spicy flavors.
Ingredients: Rice flour, corn flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water
How to Make It: Mix rice flour and corn flour with sugar, yeast, and water to form a batter.
Let it sit and ferment for several hours. Pour the batter into molds or small bowls, then steam until puffed and set.
The result? Fluffy rice cakes with a delicate taste that pairs beautifully with savory dishes.
Why we selected it:
Ablo brings a unique texture to any meal and showcases how Togolese recipes use fermentation to add flavor and depth.
3. Djenkoume (Tomato Cornmeal Cake)
Djenkoume is what happens when cornbread and tomato stew fall in love.
It’s a thick, tomato-flavored cornmeal cake that holds its shape and soaks up sauces like a champ.
Think of it as the Togolese cousin of polenta—but way more exciting.
Ingredients: Cornmeal, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, chili pepper, oil, salt, water
How to Make It: Cook blended tomatoes, garlic, and onions in oil. Add tomato paste, water, and seasoning.
Slowly stir in the cornmeal, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Keep cooking and stirring until it thickens and pulls away from the pot. Shape it and let it cool slightly before serving.
Why did this make it to our list:
It’s simple, hearty, and a total flavor bomb. Plus, Djenkoume is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.
4. Gboma Dessi (Spinach Stew)
Gboma Dessi is comfort food with a green twist. This spinach stew is packed with umami and slow-cooked goodness.
It’s usually made with local greens like spinach or amaranth, mixed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and often some slow-cooked beef or chicken.
Ingredients: Spinach or amaranth leaves, tomatoes, onion, garlic, chili, oil, chicken or beef (halal), salt
How to Make It: Sauté onions, garlic, and tomatoes until soft. Add in the meat and let it cook low and slow.
Stir in chopped spinach and cook until the leaves are wilted and flavorful. Let it all simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors blend.
Why we chose it:
Gboma Dessi is simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect mix of earthy greens and rich stew.
5. Ayimolou (Spiced Rice and Beans)
Ayimolou is proof that rice and beans don’t have to be boring.
In Togo, this dish is spiced with onions, garlic, and chili peppers, then slow-cooked so the rice and beans absorb all that savory flavor.
It’s budget-friendly, filling, and absolutely addicting.
Ingredients: White rice, black-eyed peas or red beans, onions, garlic, chili pepper, oil, salt, water
How to Make It: Soak and cook the beans until tender. Sauté onions, garlic, and chili, then add in the beans and rice.
Add water, season, and cook until the rice is soft and fluffy.
Why we picked it:
Ayimolou is an everyday Togolese recipe with superstar vibes. It’s humble but unforgettable.
6. Kom (Fermented Corn Porridge)
If you’re down for trying something totally different, give Kom a shot.
It’s a tangy, fermented corn porridge that’s usually eaten cold and served with spicy sauces or fried fish. It’s thick, sticky, and has a bold sour punch.
Ingredients: Corn flour, water
How to Make It: Soak corn flour in water for 2-3 days to ferment. Stir the mixture over heat until it thickens and becomes smooth. Let it cool to set.
Why we selected it:
It’s a classic comfort food in Togo and shows just how flavorful and bold their everyday eats can be.
7. Pâte (Stiff Corn or Millet Dough)
Pâte is the canvas for so many Togolese dishes. Whether made with corn or millet, it’s a dense, scoopable dough that pairs beautifully with all kinds of stews and sauces.
Ingredients: Corn flour or millet flour, water, salt
How to Make It: Boil water, add the flour gradually while stirring nonstop to avoid lumps.
Keep stirring until thick and smooth. It’s ready when it forms a ball and pulls away from the sides.
Why it made the cut:
Pâte is the ultimate pairing partner. You can eat it with just about anything—seriously.
8. Togolese Grilled Fish
You haven’t lived until you’ve had grilled fish on the streets of Lomé.
Marinated with garlic, ginger, lemon, and chili, this fish gets a deep char that locks in smoky flavor and spice.
Ingredients: Whole tilapia or other fish, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, chili pepper, oil, salt
How to Make It: Score the fish and marinate it in a paste of garlic, ginger, lemon, and chili. Grill over charcoal until crispy outside and juicy inside.
Why we chose it:
It’s smoky, spicy, and totally irresistible. Perfect for backyard cookouts too.
9. Akpan (Fermented Yogurt Drink)
Akpan is a sweet and tangy fermented corn yogurt drink. It’s thick, creamy, and totally refreshing—especially in hot weather.
Ingredients: Corn flour, milk, sugar, water
How to Make It: Ferment corn flour in water, then strain and mix with milk and sugar. Chill and serve cold.
Why did this make it to our list:
It’s creamy, slightly fizzy, and super refreshing. Plus, it’s a fun way to taste Togo’s fermented flavors.
10. Yovo Doko (Togolese Donuts)
These golden little balls of fried dough are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Yovo Doko are the sweet treat you didn’t know you needed.
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, yeast, water, oil
How to Make It: Mix flour, sugar, and yeast with water to form a sticky dough. Let it rise, then scoop and fry until golden brown.
Why we picked it:
They’re bite-sized, addicting, and perfect with tea or coffee. Or just as a midnight snack. No judgment.
11. Koklo Meme (Spicy Baked Chicken)
This dish is all about bold, peppery heat and crispy skin. The chicken is marinated in a fiery blend of spices, then baked until golden and juicy.
Ingredients: Chicken (halal), garlic, ginger, chili pepper, onion, oil, lemon juice, salt
How to Make It: Blend the marinade ingredients, rub it all over the chicken, and let it soak in overnight. Bake until crispy and fully cooked through.
Why we selected it:
Koklo Meme is flavor-packed and finger-licking good. If you love spice, this one’s calling your name.
Conclusion
So there you have it—11 unforgettable Togolese recipes you really need to try at least once.
From tangy porridges to sweet fried donuts, every dish tells a story and brings something fresh and exciting to the table.
Togolese cuisine is colorful, creative, and crazy delicious, and it deserves way more love. Happy cooking!