Chad - Food

Chad's cuisine is based on grains like millet and sorghum, with the national dish being boule, a thick porridge. Other facts include a regional difference where fish and vegetables are more common in the south, while dairy is more common in the north, and homemade beer called bili-bili is popular with non-Muslims in the south. Chad is also a major supplier of sesame seeds. 

Staple foods

• Grains like millet, sorghum, and corn are the staple foods and are often eaten daily.
• Boule, a thick porridge made from millet (south) or corn (north), is the national dish. It is often shaped into a ball and served with stews or sauces.
• Kisra is a thin, fermented flatbread made from sorghum flour. 

Regional differences

• Southern Chad: Fish is a primary protein source, and there is a greater variety of fresh vegetables and spices.
• Northern Chad: Dairy products and meat are more common, as nomadic traditions are stronger there. 

Other dishes and drinks

• Aiyash: Deep-fried croquettes made from millet flour.
• Daba: A goat and vegetable stew.
• Daraba: A vegetable and peanut butter stew, often made with okra, tomatoes, and stock.
• Jarret de Boeuf: A beef shin stew cooked for hours with vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and carrots.
• Karkanji/Carcaje: A popular, refreshing non-alcoholic tea made from hibiscus flowers, ginger, and spices.
• Bili-bili: A homemade millet beer popular in the south. 

Interesting facts

• Sesame Seeds: Chad is one of the world's largest suppliers of sesame seeds.
• Medicinal Sauce: Some elderly people make a special sauce called Kawal sauce using herbs and spices that are believed to have medicinal benefits.
• Marrara: A special holiday stew made from goat offal and vegetables.
• Fried Dough: A popular street snack is langu, a type of fried dough.