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 Malawian Food
Food is an integral part of a country’s culture and identity, and Malawi is no exception. Located in East Africa, Malawian cuisine reflects the diverse agricultural practices and cultural influences present in this tropical region. The five nations with the most similar food are also located in East Africa. Most of the people in these five countries speak Bantu languages.
- Kenya does not border Malawi, but its food ingredients are similar. Both countries eat a lot of maize porridge, bananas, and mangoes. Additionally, the use of various leafy vegetables, beans, and legumes in their dishes. However, cassava is not as commonly eaten in Kenya as it is in Malawi.
- Mozambique is to the east of Malawi and both countries border Lake Nyasa. Their people commonly eat porridges made out of corn flour. They are often served with various relishes like ndiwo and vegetables. In addition, fish are prominent in both their traditional dishes. However, cassava is a bigger part of the diet in Mozambique.
- Tanzania is situated to the north of Malawi. Nsima, called ugali in Tanzania, takes center stage in meals, accompanied by similar side dishes like fish, beans, and leafy vegetables. Additionally, both countries enjoy grilled and fried tilapia. They also consume a variety of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, papayas, and bananas.
- Uganda is another landlocked African country that borders one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It shares several culinary traditions with its southern neighbor. Bananas are a huge part of the diet in both countries, but Malawians tend to eat more mangos. Both countries also enjoy various stews made with peanuts, which add a rich and nutty flavor to their meals.
- Rwanda is yet another landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region. As a result, freshwater fish are a popular source of protein. Grilled meat skewers, known as brochettes, are popular in Malawi and Rwanda. While both countries eat a lot of cassava, corn is more commonly consumed in Malawi than in Rwanda.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Malawi
The Least Similar Cuisines to Malawian Food
The five countries with the least similar food to Malawi spread across several different regions. Two are located in Asia, while the other three are in the South Pacific. These countries consume far less corn than Malawi. In addition, freshwater fish, like tilapia, are not a large part of their diet.
- Solomon Islands is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. Most of its people live near the coast, so seafood and coconuts are a huge part of the country’s diet. Unlike Malawi, yams and taro are all commonly eaten ingredients there.
- Vanuatu‘s common ingredients are far different from Malawi’s. Both Vanuatu and Malawi eat a lot of fish, but Malawi is landlocked, so the country tends to eat more freshwater fish, while Vanuatu eats more saltwater fish.
- Kiribati is an archipelago of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Coconuts and fish from the ocean are commonly eaten staple foods in Kiribati, unlike in landlocked Malawi. Mangos are also a much larger part of the diet in Malawi.
- Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union. Wheat, potatoes, and lamb are key ingredients in Turkmen cuisine. The country’s culinary traditions reflect the rich nomadic heritage of the Turkmen people.
- Mongolia’s cold, dry climate makes it difficult to grow a varierty of crops. Their people tend to eat much more meat from cattle, sheep, and goats than in Malawi. They also eat more dairy products, especially yogurt and cheese.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Malawi
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Malawi’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Freshwater Fish
Fruit: Mango, Banana
Vegetable: Tomato, Pumpkin
Starch: Corn, Cassava
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.