Mbongo

Mbongo (or Mbongo Tchobi) is Cameroon's distinctive spicy black stew, typically eaten by the Bassa people of Cameroon but gaining popularity nationwide.

This one-pot spicy black stew is made with aromatic traditional spices and fresh herbs simmered with fish.

The signature element is the mbongo spice itself: alligator pepper that's been burnt till it's black.

Key cooking tips include toasting the seeds of ndjansang, alligator pepper spice, and other aromatics in a frying pan first for deeper flavor. Blend tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, leeks, celery, African nutmeg, njangsa, and mbongo spice into a paste, then simmer with fish for 10+ minutes until cooked through, adding water as needed to prevent burning.

Serve with boiled plantains, rice, or yams for an authentic Cameroonian experience.