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 Congolese Food
The five countries with the most similar food to the Republic of Congo are all located in Africa and are located in tropical regions. Four of the five border the Atlantic Ocean. With the exception of Liberia, most of their people speak Bantu languages. Their diets tend to be heavily based in cassava. The country has a vibrant food culture that draws inspiration from its local ingredients and traditional practices.
- Democratic Republic of Congo shares many similarities with the Republic of Congo due to their geographical proximity and historical connections. Common foods in both countries include cassava and plantain. Both countries eat fufu, a dough-like substance made from cassava or maize, which is typically served with various stews and sauces.
- Angola is another heavily forested country on Africa’s Atlantic coast. The Republic of Congo shares a few culinary similarities with Angola, particularly in their use of ingredients. In Angola, dishes like funge made from cassava flour and served with stews are common. However, Angola has more Portuguese and Brazilian influence.
- Liberia‘s cuisine is a blend of African flavors with influences from the United States, since its founders were freed slaves from America. Both countries consume a lot of plantains, cassava, and leafy greens such as bitterleaf and collard greens. However, people in Liberia tend to eat far more rice.
- Mozambique is another former Portuguese colony on this list. Similar to the Republic of Congo, Mozambique emphasizes seafood in its cuisine, including prawns, fish, and shellfish. Staples such as rice, cassava, and maize are also common there. Piri-piri, a hot chili pepper, is widely used to add spice to many Mozambican meals.
- Gabon shares a border with the Republic of Congo. Gabon’s cuisine includes staples like cassava, plantains, peanuts, and fish. Gabonese dishes such as maboké (grilled fish or meat wrapped in banana leaves) and poulet nyembwe (chicken simmered in a palm nut sauce) have similar flavors and preparation to those found in the Republic of Congo.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to the Republic of Congo
The Least Similar Cuisines to Congolese Food
The five countries with the least similar food to the Republic of Congo are all located in Asia. Their climates are also much drier. Four of the five are landlocked. With the exception of Mongolia, these countries are predominately Muslim. Their people tend to consume a much greater amount of wheat and potatoes than Congolese people. They also have far more meat in their diet.
- Tajikistan is a mountainous country in Central Asia. Tajik cuisine features stews, dumplings, and bread, and the extensive use of lamb and beef, in stark contrast to the Republic of Congo. The Tajik people incorporate spices such as cumin, coriander, dill, and parsley, which are not as common in Congolese food.
- Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country. Its cold, dry climate makes it difficult to grow crops. As a result, the country relies on animal husbandry for a large portion of its food. Mongolians tend to eat much more meat from cattle, sheep, and goats than Congolese. They also eat more dairy products, especially yogurt.
- Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union. As a result, the country’s cuisine 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 the Republic of Congo where bananas and mangoes are more prevalent.
- Turkmenistan is extremely similar to Uzbekistan. 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.
- Syria is the only country on this list that is not landlocked. Syria has a much more arid climate than the Republic of Congo, so their farms produce drastically different crops. Syrians tend to eat a lot of oranges, lemons, watermelons, and apples, while people in Congo tend to eat more bananas and mangos.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to the Republic of Congo
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Republic of Congo’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Demersal Fish
Fruit: Banana, Mango
Vegetable: Cassava leaves, Onion
Starch: Cassava, Wheat
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
