Zanzibar and Pemba are famous for their stunning beaches, rich culture, and diverse wildlife. But they are also a paradise for food lovers, who can enjoy a variety of delicious street foods that reflect the islands’ history, geography, and influences. From fresh seafood to spicy snacks, from sweet treats to savory dishes, there is something for everyone to try in Zanzibar and Pemba. Here are 20 must-try street foods in Zanzibar and Pemba that will make your mouth water.
1. Chipsi Mayai
Chipsi Mayai is the most popular comfort street food found all over Tanzania and Zanzibar island. In its most basic form, Chipsi Mayai is a simple potato-egg omelet that can be accompanied by kachumbari salad and chili sauce. You can find Chipsi Mayai stalls everywhere, from busy markets to roadside stands, and enjoy this filling and cheap meal anytime of the day.
2. Zanzibar Pizza
Zanzibar Pizza is not a pizza in the traditional sense, but a delicious street snack that resembles a stuffed pancake. It is made of a thin layer of dough that is filled with various ingredients, such as minced meat, cheese, eggs, vegetables, or chocolate and bananas. The dough is then folded and fried on a hot griddle, and cut into pieces. You can find Zanzibar Pizza vendors in the Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town, where you can watch them make your pizza in front of you and customize it to your liking.
3. Urojo
Urojo, also known as Zanzibar Mix, is a spicy and tangy soup that is a specialty of Zanzibar. It is made of a coconut milk broth that is flavored with turmeric, curry, and lime juice, and mixed with various ingredients, such as potatoes, cassava, bhajias (fried chickpea balls), samosas, kachori (fried dough balls with lentil filling), boiled eggs, and meat skewers. Urojo is served in a bowl with a spoon and a bread roll, and topped with hot sauce and crispy fried onions. You can find Urojo stalls in the streets of Stone Town, especially in the Darajani Market.
4. Mishkaki
Mishkaki is the Swahili name for meat skewers that are grilled over charcoal and seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices. Mishkaki can be made of beef, chicken, goat, or fish, and are usually served with a side of kachumbari salad, chips, or ugali (maize porridge). Mishkaki is a popular street food in Zanzibar and Pemba, and you can smell the aroma of the meat as you walk by the stalls. Mishkaki is a great snack to enjoy with a cold drink, such as a soda, a beer, or a fresh juice.
5. Vitumbua
Vitumbua are sweet coconut rice cakes that are a common breakfast or dessert in Zanzibar and Pemba. They are made of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, yeast, and cardamom, and are cooked in a special pan that gives them a round shape and a crispy crust. Vitumbua are soft and fluffy on the inside, and have a delicate coconut flavor. They are usually served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or with honey, jam, or nutella. You can find Vitumbua sellers in the morning or in the evening, and buy them by the piece or by the dozen.
6. Biryani
Biryani is a rice dish that originated in India, but has become a staple in Zanzibar and Pemba, where it is often served on special occasions, such as weddings, festivals, or Eid. Biryani is made of basmati rice that is cooked with spices, such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and saffron, and mixed with meat, such as chicken, beef, or lamb, or vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and peas. Biryani is usually served with a side of kachumbari salad, pickle, or raita (yogurt sauce). You can find Biryani in restaurants or in street stalls, where it is sold by the plate or by the kilo.
7. Muhogo wa Nazi
Muhogo wa Nazi is a simple but tasty dish that is made of cassava and coconut. Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that is widely grown and consumed in Zanzibar and Pemba, and can be prepared in different ways. Muhogo wa Nazi is one of the most popular ways, where cassava is boiled until soft, and then cooked with coconut milk, salt, and sugar, until it becomes creamy and thick. Muhogo wa Nazi can be eaten as a snack, a side dish, or a dessert, and is often served with tea or coffee.
8. Mandazi
Mandazi are fried doughnuts that are a favorite snack in Zanzibar and Pemba. They are made of wheat flour, yeast, sugar, and coconut milk, and are shaped into triangles, circles, or squares. They are then deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy, and sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon. Mandazi are soft and fluffy on the inside, and have a subtle coconut flavor. They are usually eaten in the morning or in the afternoon, with tea, coffee, or juice, or with beans, eggs, or meat.
9. Octopus Curry
Octopus Curry is a delicacy in Zanzibar and Pemba, where octopus is abundant and fresh. Octopus Curry is made of octopus that is cleaned, cut into pieces, and cooked in a rich and spicy sauce that is made of coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, curry, turmeric, and chili. Octopus Curry is usually served with rice, chapati (flatbread), or ugali, and with a side of kachumbari salad or lime wedges. Octopus Curry is a hearty and flavorful dish that will satisfy your seafood cravings.
10. Halwa
Halwa is a sweet confection that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and is often served during celebrations, such as weddings, birthdays, or Eid. Halwa is made of sugar, water, cornstarch, ghee, nuts, and spices, such as cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. The ingredients are cooked in a large pot over a low heat, until they form a thick and sticky paste. Halwa is then poured into a tray and cut into pieces, or shaped into balls or bars. Halwa is usually red, green, or yellow in color, and has a chewy and glossy texture. Halwa is a sweet treat that will melt in your mouth.
11. Samaki wa Kupaka
Samaki wa Kupaka is a fish dish that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, where fish is abundant and fresh. Samaki wa Kupaka is made of fish, such as kingfish, tuna, or snapper, that is marinated in a mixture of salt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and turmeric, and then grilled over charcoal. The fish is then coated with a sauce that is made of coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, curry, and chili, and cooked until the sauce is thick and creamy. Samaki wa Kupaka is usually served with rice, chapati, or ugali, and with a side of kachumbari salad or lime wedges. Samaki wa Kupaka is a succulent and savory dish that will make you love fish.
12. Date Nut Bread
Date Nut Bread is a sweet bread that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, where dates and nuts are grown and harvested. Date Nut Bread is made of wheat flour, yeast, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, dates, and nuts, such as cashews, almonds, or pistachios. The ingredients are mixed and kneaded into a dough, and then baked in a loaf pan until golden and fluffy. Date Nut Bread is usually sliced and served with butter, honey, jam, or cheese, or eaten plain. Date Nut Bread is a moist and nutty bread that is perfect for breakfast or tea time.
13. Zanzibar Coffee
Zanzibar Coffee is a unique and aromatic coffee that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, where coffee beans are grown and roasted. Zanzibar Coffee is made of coffee beans that are roasted with spices, such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, and then ground into a fine powder. The coffee powder is then boiled with water and sugar in a small pot, and poured into a cup through a strainer. Zanzibar Coffee is usually served in small cups, and enjoyed with milk, cream, or condensed milk. Zanzibar Coffee is a strong and spicy coffee that will wake you up and warm you up.
14. Mkate wa Ufuta
Mkate wa Ufuta is a sesame bread that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and is often eaten as a snack or a side dish. Mkate wa Ufuta is made of wheat flour, yeast, sugar, water, and sesame seeds, and is baked in a round or rectangular shape until golden and crusty. Mkate wa Ufuta is usually sliced and served with butter, honey, jam, or cheese, or eaten plain. Mkate wa Ufuta is a crunchy and nutty bread that is perfect for any time of the day.
15. Kaimati
Kaimati are sweet dumplings that are a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and are often served during Ramadan, Eid, or other celebrations. Kaimati are made of wheat flour, yeast, sugar, and water, and are shaped into small balls and deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy. Kaimati are then soaked in a sugar syrup that is flavored with cardamom, rose water, or lemon juice. Kaimati are soft and juicy on the inside, and have a crunchy and sticky coating. They are usually eaten as a dessert or a snack, and can be found in bakeries or street stalls.
16. Pilau
Pilau is a rice dish that originated in Persia, but has become a staple in Zanzibar and Pemba, where it is often served on special occasions, such as weddings, festivals, or Eid. Pilau is made of basmati rice that is cooked with spices, such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and star anise, and mixed with meat, such as chicken, beef, or lamb, or seafood, such as prawns, squid, or crab. Pilau is usually served with a side of kachumbari salad, pickle, or raita. Pilau is a fragrant and flavorful dish that will fill you up and satisfy your taste buds.
17. Mtori
Mtori is a soup that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and is often served as a breakfast or a light meal. Mtori is made of green bananas and beef that are boiled in water and salt, and then mashed into a thick and smooth consistency. Mtori is usually served in a bowl with a spoon, and eaten with bread, chapati, or ugali. Mtori is a simple but nutritious dish that will keep you energized and full.
18. Kashata
Kashata are coconut candies that are a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and are often sold by street vendors or in souvenir shops. Kashata are made of grated coconut, sugar, water, and food coloring, and are cooked in a large pot until they form a thick and sticky mixture. Kashata are then poured into a tray and cut into pieces, or shaped into balls or bars. Kashata are usually white, pink, or brown in color, and have a chewy and sweet texture. Kashata are a perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth.
19. Wali wa Nazi
Wali wa Nazi is a coconut rice that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and is often served as a main course or a side dish. Wali wa Nazi is made of rice that is cooked with coconut milk, salt, and water, until it becomes fluffy and creamy. Wali wa Nazi is usually served with a curry, such as octopus curry, fish curry, or vegetable curry, and with a side of kachumbari salad or lime wedges. Wali wa Nazi is a delicious and filling dish that will make you love rice.
20. Zanzibar Ice Cream
Zanzibar Ice Cream is a frozen dessert that is a specialty of Zanzibar and Pemba, and is often sold by street vendors or in ice cream parlors. Zanzibar Ice Cream is made of milk, cream, sugar, and natural flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mango, or coconut. Zanzibar Ice Cream is usually served in a cone, a cup, or a stick, and topped with nuts, sprinkles, or syrups. Zanzibar Ice Cream is a refreshing and creamy dessert that will cool you down and delight you.
If you ever visit these islands, don’t miss the chance to taste these delicious and diverse dishes. Bon appetit – or Furahieni chakula chenu as we say in Swahili! 😊
