This week was a bit difficult because so much of the food from Sudan I found was similar to food from South Sudan. However, I’d tried to plan ahead back then so I wouldn’t have to overlap too much, so I was able to find a few things to make.
Sudan is located in Northeast Africa. The region has seen many ancient civilizations over the years, as well as the earliest known war in the world.
Some of the notable early societies include the Kingdoms of Kerma and of Kush, located along the Nile River. The Kushites ruled Egypt at one point, before giving way to Christian Nubian kingdoms. From the 16th century, Islamic kingdoms became dominant.
In the 1800s, Sudan fell under Turco-Egyptian rule, followed by the Madhist state after a successful rebellion. Britain and Egypt governed Sudan jointly as the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium from 1899 until the country gained independence in 1956.
Since then, Sudan has endured repeated military coups, civil wars, and political instability, which have contributed to it being one of the poorest countries in the world. Ongoing conflicts led to South Sudan breaking away as an independent country in 2011.
What Do People Eat in Sudan?
Sudanese cuisine has a lot of similarities to that of Egypt due to the proximity of the countries and their shared history. Influences from the Mediterranean and the Middle East are also evident. Along with the traditional Sudanese dishes, you’ll find shawarma, kebabs, kofta, and baklava.
The most common meats are lamb and beef, and fish is also frequently eaten. Since the majority of the country is Muslim, you’d be unlikely to find any pork dishes. Other popular protein choices include beans and lentils.
Accompaniments typically include rice and various flatbreads made from wheat or sorghum flour, as well as a variety of vegetables.
Some popular staple ingredients include peanuts (usually in the form of peanut butter), chili, and spices such as cumin and coriander.
What I Made
- Mullah Rob (Beef and Yogurt Soup)
- Gurasa (Whole Wheat Flatbread)
- Beef Kabab (Spiced Beef, Potato, and Vegetables)
- Kudra Mafrooka (Lamb and Greens Stew)
Scroll down to read about other popular Sudanese dishes I didn’t make!
Mullah Rob (Beef and Yogurt Soup)
This soup is made from beef (lamb is also a popular option), onion, yogurt, peanut butter, and spices. It sounded intriguing, so I thought I’d try it.
I began by cooking diced onions in oil. Once the onion was translucent, I stirred in ground beef. After a few minutes, I added Vegeta, bay leaves, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. The recipe called for the seasonings to be added after water, but I wanted to make sure the spices bloomed in the oil first.
Next, I poured in water and added beef Better Than Bouillon. I stirred in minced garlic and a little flour mixed with water to thicken (the recipe called for okra powder). I added a little peanut butter, and simmered for a while. Then, I stirred in plain yogurt and cooked gently for a few more minutes.
This was a lot better than I was expecting. I really liked the flavor, and it is something I’d make again! I served this with gurasa (next dish).
This recipe is from Mariia’s Kitchen on TikTok.
Gurasa (Whole Wheat Flatbread)
These are simple flatbreads made from a lightly fermented whole wheat dough.
I made the dough by combining whole wheat flour, salt, pepper, sugar, yeast, and water. I covered the bowl and let it sit for about half an hour.
For each gurasa, I poured some of the dough (which was really more like pancake batter in consistency) into a non-stick pan and spread it over the whole surface. After a couple of minutes, I flipped the gurasa and cooked for another minute or so before removing it from the pan.
These are pretty plain on their own, but they went well with the mullah rob (previous dish). I also ate some with jam, which turned out to be delicious!
The recipe I used is from Sudanese Kitchen.
Beef Kabab (Spiced Beef, Potato, and Vegetables)
Sudanese kabab, also known as ‘gheema’, is made by combining ground beef and vegetables, including fried potatoes. I thought it sounded delicious!
First, I pan-fried some diced potatoes and carrots, and set them aside for later.
Next, I sautéed diced red onion in oil. Once it was translucent, I added tomatoes, followed a few minutes later by ground beef. I added the seasonings: Vegeta, black pepper, salt, cinnamon, garlic powder, coriander, cumin, and paprika. I cooked for a little while longer, before adding ginger, tomato paste, and bell pepper. I poured in some water and let everything simmer for a while.
I added peas and cooked for a few minutes. Then, I stirred in the potato and carrot I’d pan-fried earlier. Once everything was well combined, my kabab was ready.
I served this with plain white rice, and it was actually super amazing! The flavor combination worked really well here.
This recipe is from Asedo’s Kitchen on YouTube.
Kudra Mafrooka (Lamb and Greens Stew)
This stew is made from meat (usually beef, lamb, or chicken) with jute leaves. To make this more accessible, I used spinach instead of the jute leaves.
I started by sautéing onion and lamb in a little oil. Then, I added Vegeta, ground coriander, cumin, and pepper and cooked for a few more minutes.
I added water, crushed garlic, and a cinnamon stick, then let the stew simmer, covered, until the lamb was tender.
The recipe called for the greens to be cooked in a separate pot with kombo/magadi soda (or baking soda as an alternative) and water. Then, the greens are blended, and the lamb and cooking liquid are mixed in. Since I was using spinach, which I knew was going to cook quickly, I just chopped it finely and added it directly to the stew. I cooked for a few minutes, seasoned with salt, and then my stew was ready to serve.
I ate this with leftover gurasa. I thought it was alright, but it wasn’t my favorite dish this week.
The recipe I used is from Asedo’s Kitchen on YouTube.
Other Popular Sudanese Dishes
- Mahshi – vegetables such as peppers, eggplant, and zucchini stuffed with a mixture of spiced ground beef and rice.
- Fassikh – a stew made from fermented, salted fish, with spices, tomatoes, and peanut butter.
- Madeeda hilba – a sweet wheat flour porridge flavored with fenugreek seeds.
Final Thoughts
This was a good week. My favorite food from Sudan was the beef kabab, which I’d make again.
Next time, I will be cooking food from Suriname.