10 Local Ghanaian Foods You Should Try Before the Year Ends

December in Ghana is more than parties, concerts, and homecomings. It is also a celebration of flavour. Whether you’re a returning diaspora, a first-time visitor, or a local ready to indulge, Ghanaian cuisine offers a colourful palette of spices, textures, and aromas perfect for the festive season.

Here are 10 must-try Ghanaian dishes this Detty December:

Wrewre Nkwan, or Musk Melon Seed Soup, is a staple in Ghanaian cuisine, revered for its unique taste and nutritional value. This traditional soup is frequently featured at special occasions and is typically enjoyed alongside fufu or rice balls.

Rich in protein, healthy fats, and vital nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and zinc, it offers substantial health benefits.

To begin, the seeds are toasted to enhance their flavour. They are then blended and strained to produce a smooth, silky soup base, a step that is crucial in preventing the soup from coagulating while cooking.

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The dish is ready when the oil begins to surface, which signals that the fats within the seeds have been successfully rendered. Wrewre soup is a versatile and comforting soup that pairs well with traditional Ghanaian staples: fufu,rice balls and konkonte.

A Detty December trip is incomplete without this classic. Fufu- pounded plantain and cassava absorbs the flavours of light soup beautifully. Whether paired with goat meat, fresh fish, or chicken, this dish delivers warmth and satisfaction, making it one of Ghana’s most beloved meals.

Nothing screams Ghanaian nightlife like a hot plate of banku and tilapia after a party. The tilapia is seasoned with ginger, garlic, pepper, and spices before being grilled to perfection. Pair it with banku and a spicy pepper sauce, and you have a dish that hits every taste bud.

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The debate over who makes the best Jollof Rice is a famous culinary rivalry across Africa.
Detty December means party after party, and no party is complete without Ghana Jollof. Cooked in a spiced tomato base and infused with herbs, Ghana Jollof is famous for its smoky aroma and rich taste.

Whether you choose chicken, goat meat, or fried fish as a side, this dish never disappoints.

Originating from Northern Ghana, TZ is made from maize or millet flour. What makes it iconic is its pairing with nutritious soups like green leafy vegetable soup (ayoyo), groundnut soup, or meat-based broths. It’s light, healthy, and full of depth, a perfect midday meal during the festive rush.

A wholesome and nourishing meal, ampesi is simply boiled yam, cocoyam, or plantain served with kontomire stew. The stew, made from cocoyam leaves, tomatoes, onions, smoked fish, and palm oil, offers a bold and earthy taste. It’s ideal for people looking for a healthier but still flavour-packed Ghanaian dish.

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Dzenkple is a beloved traditional Ghanaian meal, especially prominent in the Volta region. This dish is prepared by blending roasted corn flour into a savoury tomato stew, resulting in a soft, fluffy texture.

It's frequently accompanied by a protein, such as crab, goat, or chicken. Although it bears similarities to Aprapransa, Dzenkple is distinguished by its use of a tomato base rather than palm nut soup.

In the Volta region, varieties of dzenkple exist, including those prepared with beans and others with coconut. The cooking process involves first creating the stew, then quickly incorporating the roasted corn flour until the desired consistency is achieved. 

A staple for many Ghanaians, kenkey is satisfying, affordable, and packed with flavour. Whether it's Ga kenkey or Fante kenkey, the fermented maize dough gives a tangy taste that pairs beautifully with hot pepper, fried fish, and shito. It’s a must-try for visitors seeking an authentic local experience.

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If there’s one meal that unites students, workers, food lovers, and budget-conscious Ghanaians, it’s Gob3, the legendary beans and gari combo that has earned a permanent spot in Ghana’s food culture.

Gob3 is more than food; it’s an experience. A plate of soft, palm-oil beans (often called “Red Red”) topped generously with gari, ripened fried plantain, and sometimes egg or fish hits every craving at once, sweet, spicy, crunchy, and savoury. It’s the ultimate definition of Ghanaian comfort food.

Gob3 has grown from a humble street meal to a cultural symbol featured in memes, TikTok videos, and everyday humour.

The ultimate street breakfast. Waakye is a flavour-packed blend of rice and beans cooked with millet leaves for its signature burgundy colour. It’s usually served with stew, shito, spaghetti, gari, fish, egg, or meat. Visitors love it because you can customise it endlessly, and it fuels you through a busy December day.

Detty December is all about fun but, it's also about reconnecting with identity, culture, and flavour. Whether you’re exploring Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Tamale, Takoradi, or anywhere in Ghana, these 10 dishes give you a delicious tour of Ghana’s diverse food culture.