country Essentials · 10 foods
Djibouti Essentials
A considered first route through Djibouti: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Djibouti foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
10 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Djibouti City, Djibouti
Djiboutian Yemeni Fish
مخبسة
Split fish roasted in a clay oven and served with sweet fata on Djibouti's coast.
Djibouti
Skoudehkaris
Spiced basmati rice with lamb, the celebratory Djiboutian pilaf for weddings and feasts.
Djibouti
Lahoh
Spongy, sour flatbread eaten at breakfast and used to scoop Djiboutian stews.
Djibouti
Somali Meat Soup
Fah-fah
Goat soup with vegetables and green chili, a warming Djiboutian comfort bowl.
Djibouti
Sambusa
ሳምቡሳ
Crisp triangular pastries filled with meat or lentils at Djibouti's markets and iftar tables.
Somalia
Xalwo
Sticky cardamom halva served at Djiboutian weddings, Eid and family visits.
Djibouti
Garoobey
Creamy oat porridge seasoned with cumin, a distinctive Djiboutian breakfast.
Djibouti
Marake Kaloune
Tadjourah fish stew with okra, eggplant and tamarind from the Djibouti coast.
Somalia
Basbaas
Bright chili and tomato sauce adding heat and tang to Djiboutian rice and meat.
Djibouti
Shahi Haleeb
Strong black tea boiled with milk and cardamom, the Djiboutian drink of hospitality.