Since I have been in Ghana, my diet has mainly consisted of chicken and chips (French fries) or chicken and rice, which seem to be the most common dishes. However, I have managed to try some new types of food as well as some Ghanaian dishes. Since arriving in Ghana, almost everyone I have talked to has asked me if I have tried fufu. Fufu is a staple dish here in Ghana and I have learned that the best fufu is made in Kumasi, which is the capital city of the Ashanti Region.

Fufu is to Western and Central African cooking what mashed potatoes is to traditional European-American cooking. Fufu is basically a giant dough-like ball served with meat and a soup. Just like mashed potatoes, fufu can be served in a variety of ways. Typically there is a meat and a soup component of a fufu dish. The most popular meat choices include goat, chicken and fish. Either a light soup or a spicy tomato like soup usually accompanies these choices of meat.

Being somewhat adventurous, I decided to try the goat fufu with the spicy tomato soup. I learned that there are rules when eating fufu. Instead of using silverware you use your hand, specifically your right hand. When you use your left hand it is considered rude and disrespectful. Therefore, the left hand remains in the lap throughout the course of the meal. This made it a little bit difficult to eat my fufu, considering that I am left-handed. The process of eating fufu consists of tearing a piece of the dough and dunking it in the soup.

Overall, I enjoyed the dish. The consistency of the dough resembled uncooked pizza dough and didn’t really have a flavor. But the soup and the meat had great flavors and spices. If you ever get the chance to come to Ghana I highly recommend trying this dish at least once. Half for the taste of the food, half for the enjoyment of getting to eat with your hand.