Countries with the Most Similar Food to Cuba

The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied. 

The Most Similar Cuisines to Cuban Food

The diverse cultural heritage of Cuba has greatly shaped its food traditions. As a result, Cuban cuisine is a fusion of European and African culinary influences. Four of the five countries with the most similar food are also Spanish-speaking countries. These countries are all predominately Catholic as well. Furthermore, these nations are located in tropical regions.

1. Dominican Republic is another country on an island in the Caribbean Sea that has a blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish culinary elements. Both countries love slow-cooked stews, like sancocho. Yuca al mojo, a dish featuring cassava in a garlic and citrus sauce, is also a beloved delicacy in both nations. However, the most commonly eaten starch in Cuba and the Domonican Republic is rice.
2. Venezuela is in South America, but it also borders the Caribbean Sea. Both nations share a love for hearty stews, plantains, and beans. The traditional Venezuelan arepa is somewhat similar to a Cuban sandwich. Both are breads that are sliced open and often contain meat and cheese. However one big difference is that Venezuelans tend to eat more corn based products.
3. Brazil is the only country on this list that was not colonized by Spain. However, it’s people also have a mix of European and African ancestry. The Afro-Brazilian dish, feijoada, a hearty black bean stew with various cuts of meat, is reminiscent of Cuba’s classic bean-based dishes. These countries also eat a significant amount of cassava. However, while chicken is the most popular meat in both countries, Brazilians tend to eat more beef.
4. El Salvador is a country in Central America. The pairing of beans and rice is a staple in both Cuban and Salvadoran cuisines. In addition, these countries make extensive use of plantains, prepared as fried slices or mashed. Given their proximity to the ocean, both incorporate seafood into their cuisine.
5. Colombia and Cuba share some commonalities due to their shared roots in Latin American and Caribbean culinary traditions. Fruits like mango, papaya, and coconut, as well as tropical drinks, are popular in both nations. Furthermore, pork is featured prominently in their dishes.

Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Cuba

The Least Similar Cuisines to Cuban Food

Few countries have food that is far different from Cuba, since its cuisine has quite diverse ingredients. Three of the five countries with the least similar food to Cuba are located in Central Asia, while the other two are located in Africa. In addition, these nations are all landlocked.

1. Mongolia is the only country in Asian on this list. While many Asian countries consume a lot of rice, the staples of Mongolia’s cuisine are wheat, meat, and dairy products. Their people typically eats far more beef and lamb than Cubans. They also rarely eat tropical fruits like bananas and papayas.
2. Chad is located to the east of Niger. It is another former French country that is mostly Muslim. Like Niger, its two most common staples are millet and sorghum, grains that are rarely consumed in Cuba. Furthermore, beef and yams are a much larger portion of the Chadian diet.
3. Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union Wheat, rice, and lamb are key components of Turkmen cuisine, and a variety of pilafs, and meat-based dishes are common. The country’s culinary traditions reflect the rich nomadic heritage of the Turkmen people, with an emphasis on hearty and filling meals.
4. South Sudan is a country in the middle of Africa. Cassava is its primary staple food, however the country eats a lot of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. In addition, South Sudanese cuisine features a variety of sauces and condiments made with peanuts, sesame seed, unlike in Cuban cuisine.
5. Uzbekistan is extremely similar to Turkmenistan. The country’s diet features a mix of traditional Uzbek and Russian dishes. Grapes and apples are two of the most popular commonly consumed fruits in Uzbekistan, unlike in Cuba where bananas and mangoes are more prevalent.

Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Cuba

Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories

Cuba’s Most Common Food Ingredients

Protein: Chicken, Pork
Fruit: Banana, Papaya
Vegetable: Tomato, Bean
Starch: Wheat, Rice

Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.