Togo Food Guide
Content Information
Recently updated🔥Current Food Trends 2025
What's happening in Togo's culinary scene right now
Togo's food scene is experiencing a renaissance of traditional cuisine with modern presentations. Lomé's young chefs are creating Instagram-worthy versions of classic fufu and akume dishes. There's growing interest in organic farming and farm-to-table restaurants. Food trucks are appearing in Lomé serving fusion takes on koklo meme and grilled fish. Togolese coffee is gaining recognition internationally, with specialty cafes opening in the capital. Traditional maquis restaurants are modernizing while maintaining authentic flavors, attracting both locals and tourists. Social media is driving tourism to hidden gem fufu bars and beachside grills.
Food Safety Tips
Essential food safety information to help you enjoy Togo's cuisine safely and confidently.
Drink only bottled or purified water
Tap water is not safe for drinking. Always use bottled water and avoid ice cubes unless certain they are made from purified water.
Choose busy vendors with high turnover
Street food can be safe and delicious when you choose popular stalls where food is prepared fresh. Fufu bars and grilled meat vendors are generally reliable.
Be cautious with foods left at room temperature
In Togo's tropical climate, avoid foods that have been sitting out. Choose freshly prepared hot dishes and recently cooked items.
Dietary Options
vegetarian
MEDIUM AVAILABILITYVegetarian options include akume, red-red (bean stew), vegetable sauces, and fried plantains. Traditional cuisine is often meat-based, but alternatives exist.
vegan
LOW AVAILABILITYVegan options require careful selection. Palm oil and vegetable-based sauces without meat are available. Communicate your needs clearly as dishes often contain fish or meat stock.
gluten-free
HIGH AVAILABILITYMany traditional dishes are naturally gluten-free, based on cassava, yams, plantains, and rice. Fufu and akume are safe options.
Common Allergens
Peanuts
HIGH PREVALENCEPeanuts and peanut sauces are widely used
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Fish
HIGH PREVALENCEFish and fish products are staples in coastal cuisine
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Palm Oil
HIGH PREVALENCEPalm oil is used extensively in cooking
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Essential Food Experiences
These iconic dishes represent the must-have culinary experiences that define Togo's food culture for travelers.
Fufu
Togo's most iconic dish - a staple made from pounded yam, cassava, or plantain. The smooth, dough-like texture is perfect for scooping up rich sauces and stews.
Koklo Meme
Grilled chicken marinated with ginger, garlic, and traditional spices. Togolese take pride in their grilling technique that keeps the meat juicy while creating a flavorful crust.
Akume
Energizing breakfast porridge made from ground corn and fermented cassava. A traditional morning dish that provides sustained energy for the day.
Palm Nut Soup
Rich, orange-red soup made from palm nuts, often with fish or meat. A West African classic that showcases Togo's culinary heritage.
Ablo
Steamed rice cakes with a slightly sweet flavor, similar to bread. Often served for breakfast or as a snack with spicy sauces.
Djenkoume
Corn-based staple similar to fufu but with a distinctive grainy texture. Served with various sauces and stews.
Red-Red
Black-eyed pea stew cooked with palm oil, giving it a distinctive red color. Often served with fried plantains.
Akoume
Fermented corn dough dish with a distinctive sour taste, popular in southern Togo.
Grilled Fish (Poisson Braisé)
Fresh fish from the Gulf of Guinea, grilled over charcoal and served with spicy pepper sauce. A coastal specialty.
Peanut Soup (Soupe d'Arachide)
Creamy soup made with groundnut paste, vegetables, and sometimes meat. A comforting West African classic.
Regional Specialties & Local Favorites
Discover the authentic regional dishes and local favorites that showcase Togo's diverse culinary traditions.
Alloco
Region: Nationwide
Fried plantains served with spicy pepper sauce and sometimes grilled fish. A beloved street food snack.
Wagasi
Region: Northern Togo
Traditional Togolese cheese made from cow's milk, often grilled or fried.
Allergens:
Tchaka
Region: Nationwide
Hearty bean and corn stew, slow-cooked with palm oil and spices.
Kuli Kuli
Region: Nationwide
Crispy peanut fritters, a popular snack and street food.
Allergens:
Gboma Dessi
Region: Nationwide
Spinach stew with tomatoes, onions, and spices, often served with fufu.
Yovo Doko
Region: Nationwide
Togolese fried dough balls, slightly sweet and perfect with morning coffee.
Allergens:
Akoumé Dessi
Region: Southern Togo
Fermented corn dough served with various sauces, a staple in Lomé.
Kelewele
Region: Nationwide
Spicy fried plantains seasoned with ginger and pepper.
Regional Cuisine Highlights
Explore the diverse culinary landscapes across different regions of Togo.
Lomé (Coastal)
The capital's cuisine features fresh seafood from the Gulf of Guinea, French influences, and international flavors alongside traditional Togolese dishes.
Cultural Significance:
Lomé blends coastal fishing traditions with French colonial influences and diverse ethnic cuisines.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Northern Togo
Drier climate influences cuisine with more grains, dried meats, and unique cheese production.
Cultural Significance:
Northern cuisine reflects Sahelian influences and traditional preservation techniques.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Central Plateau
Agricultural heartland producing yams, cassava, and corn that form the basis of many traditional dishes.
Cultural Significance:
The plateau's fertile land sustains traditional farming and authentic food preparation methods.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Sweet Delights & Desserts
Indulge in Togo's traditional sweet treats and desserts.
Beignets
Sweet fried dough balls, often dusted with sugar. A popular breakfast treat or snack.
Coconut Candy
Sweet treats made from fresh coconut and sugar, sold by street vendors.
Banana Fritters
Ripe bananas fried in batter, crispy outside and sweet inside.
Traditional Beverages
Discover Togo's traditional drinks, from locally produced spirits to regional wines.
Palm Wine
Traditional fermented drink made from palm tree sap. Mildly alcoholic with a sweet-sour taste.
Sodabi
Strong distilled spirit made from palm wine. Togo's traditional liquor.
Soft Beverages
Discover Togo's traditional non-alcoholic drinks, from local teas to refreshing juices.
Bissap (Hibiscus Drink)
Refreshing drink made from hibiscus flowers, served cold with sugar and mint.
Ginger Juice
Spicy, refreshing drink made from fresh ginger, lemon, and sugar.
Fresh Coconut Water
Natural coconut water sold fresh from roadside vendors along the coast.
Togolese Coffee
Strong, locally-grown coffee often served sweet.