MALAWI FOOD THAT IS TRADITIONAL & LOCAL

In Malawi, you will find both traditional food eaten everyday by the locals as well as foods inspired by western countries. Both large supermarkets and small convenient stores stock packaged everyday snacks. You will find biscuits (cookies) and varieties of potato chips (crisps). Fresh fruits and vegetables are widely available in supermarkets and local markets.

Soda drinks such as coca cola and sprite are everywhere. Try other locally loved flavors such as Cherry Plum, Coco Pina, and Pineapple Fanta. My kids fell in love with these flavors that are not found in the US. Malawi snacks and drinks were some of the main highlights of their first trip to Malawi years back. Now they are Malawi foodies. 

Local alcoholic drinks include Chibuku and Malawi Gin. You will also find imported wines and beer.  

Popular Malawi Food 

Malawi’s staple food is nsima (a thick porridge made from maize flour). It is usually served with vegetables and different meats. Popular local or traditional dishes include:

• Nsima (carbohydrate from maize/corn)
• Mkhwani (pumpkin eaves). See my recipe for pumpkin leaves with ground nuts.
• Chambo Fish (looks like Tilapia but tastes better)
• Usipa (small fish usually dried)
• Kampango Fish (Catfish)
• Mandasi (fried dough balls)
• Zitumbuwa (banana fritters)
• Phala (porridge made from maize/corn flour or rice)
• Thobwa (fermented maize drink)
• Thelele (okra leaves). Usually boiled, smooth textured, and runny. If you prefer stir fried, I have a recipe for stir fried okra leaves.
• Khwanya (Bean leaves with ground nuts). 

Malawi has a wide variety of traditional foods to try—and they are delicious. If you must try three things, eat nsima with Chambo fish for your main meal, mandasi for snacks, and cherry plum drinks. These are my favorite malawi delights.