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 Djiboutian Food
Despite being located in Africa, four of the five countries with the most similar food to Djibouti are located on the Arabian peninsula. All five are have Arabic as one of their official languages and are predominately Muslim countries. These countries have a history of culinary exchange and similar ingredients.
(Please note that Somalia is not included, since it is not part of FAOStat’s database)
- Yemen is just across the Red Sea from Djibouti. Due to geographic proximity and historical trade, they have similar food. Yemeni dishes like saltah and fahsa are similar to Djiboutian stews like skoudehkaris and maraq. Both countries also tend to eat a lot of chicken and beef. In addition, both cuisines feature a variety of flatbreads.
- United Arab Emirates and Djibouti both have influences from Indian, Persian, and East African culinary traditions due to historical trade routes along the Indian Ocean. Both countries love rice dishes paired with meat. However, people in the United Arab Emirates tend to eat more fish from the ocean.
- Oman borders both Yemen and UAE. Rice and bread are staple components of both Omani and Djiboutian diets. In addition, dates are the most commonly eaten fruit in both countries. In addition, these countries often eat lamb stews. Both countries are predominantly Muslim, which influences their dietary laws.
- Mauritania is another country that has a variety of French, Arab, and Sub-Saharan African influences. In both countries, rice is often served with stews. In addition, both cuisines emphasize the use of fresh herbs. However, Mauritanian cuisine includes more North African influences, such as the use of couscous.
- Qatar is extremely similar to the United Arab Emirates. Machboos, similar to biryani, is a popular dish made with spiced rice, meat, and vegetables. This is also popular in Djibouti. In addition, fruits like watermelons, dates, and bananas are common. Sambuusas are consumed in both countries, highlighting the influence of South Asia.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Djibouti
The Least Similar Cuisines to Djiboutian Food
The five countries with the least similar food to Djibouti all get far more rainfall than Djibouti. They also have a much higher percentage of forested area as a result. With the exception of Laos, these countries are predominately Christian.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The country’s isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Coconuts are a huge part of their cuisine. Cassava is one of the most commonly eaten starches in Micronesia.
- Central African Republic, like Djibouti, is a former French colony in Africa. However, their food is far different. The majority of the country’s diet is based on cassava and yams. Bananas and plantains are also an extremely common source of food.
- Solomon Islands is a tropical archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. Most of its people live near the coast, so seafood is common in the country’s cuisine. Sweet potatoes, yams, and coconuts are all popular ingredients in the food there.
- Laos is the only country in Southeast Asia on this list. Although both countries tend to eat a lot of rice, Laotian food is still far different than what is eaten in Djibouti. People in Laos consume significantly less bread and significantly more pork.
- Burundi is another landlocked country located in the tropical regions of Africa. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas. Very little rice and wheat is eaten in Burundi as well, compared to in Djibouti.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Djibouti
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Djibouti’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Beef, Chicken
Fruit: Date, Lemon
Vegetable: Tomato, Onion
Starch: Wheat, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.