A FOOD TRADITION
Malawian Cuisine
A maize-centered cooking tradition shaped by Lake Malawi fish, groundnuts, leafy relishes, cassava, and locally grown grains and produce.
Dishes linked to this cuisine
1–12 of 20
Bonongwe
Bonongwe is the Malawian name for amaranth leaves, which are consumed fresh or dried and commonly boiled or otherwise cooked as a vegetable accompaniment; local recipes vary.
Chambo
Chambo is the Malawian name for several Oreochromis fish. It is eaten fresh or processed in various ways, including grilling, frying, boiling, smoking, or drying; this name alone does not establish one standardized recipe.
Chibwabwa
Chibwabwa is a traditional Zambian side dish of cooked pumpkin leaves, commonly prepared with onion, tomato, salt, oil, or groundnuts and served with nshima.
Dovi
Dovi is a Malawian peanut stew in which ground peanuts form a rich sauce around chicken or vegetables with tomato and onion.
Finkubala
Finkubala is a Malawian relish of edible caterpillars that are typically dried or fried and cooked with onion, tomato, oil, and seasoning.
Futali
Futali is a traditional Malawian mash made primarily from cooked sweet potato and peanut flour, with pumpkin occurring in some versions.
Kondowole
A dense Malawian staple made by boiling cassava flour with water and working it into a smooth, stiff dough.
Likuni Phala
A Malawian nourishing porridge made by cooking maize flour and soy flour with water, sometimes sweetened with sugar.
Mandasi
Mandasi are Malawian yeast-raised fried dough snacks made primarily from wheat flour, sugar, yeast, and water.
Masamba
Masamba is a Malawian term for leafy greens prepared and served as a vegetable relish, also called ndiwo. Preparations vary by the greens used and may include onion, tomato, cooking oil, salt, and sometimes groundnut or groundnut flour.
Mbatata
Mbatata are sweet-potato-based Malawian baked biscuits or cakes made with flour and sugar, often enriched with butter and sometimes egg.
Mbewa
Mbewa is a Malawian preparation of whole field mice that are typically roasted or fried and served hot as a protein-focused dish or snack.
Catalogue preview Cuisine connections may be unreviewed. Regional comparisons include their food references and do not establish the ingredients of a particular meal.