Hello, I’m Yam, a travel blogger! My goal on this trip was to taste Uganda’s traditional dish “Luwombo.” This is a must-try cuisine when visiting Uganda. However, finding it in Kampala city wasn’t straightforward. Here’s the story of my adventure.
Luwombo is a traditional Ugandan dish consisting of meat or fish stewed while wrapped in banana leaves. Chicken, beef, goat, or fish is used and flavored with spices and herbs. The banana leaves give the dish a unique flavor, and the meat becomes extremely tender and juicy. Having grown tired of the many primitive dishes characteristic of the region, I heard about Luwombo
I had tried various foods in Kampala, but perhaps due to the local environment, many dishes were somewhat primitive, and I was starting to get tired of them. In this context, I heard that Luwombo, also called “Uganda’s feast,” was in a different league from other Ugandan dishes, and I really wanted to confirm its taste for myself.
(I’ve introduced various Ugandan delicacies in previous articles, but they tended to be quite rustic, and eating them every day became somewhat monotonous. That said, there are many interesting dishes you can’t taste in other parts of the world, so please also check out the article below)
In pursuit of Luwombo, I randomly visited several restaurants in Kampala city. The first place I went to was a local restaurant near Nakasero Market. With high expectations, I asked, “Do you have Luwombo?” but unfortunately, this restaurant didn’t offer it. Next, I went to a famous restaurant in central Kampala, but Luwombo wasn’t found here either. I visited several restaurants, but none of them served Luwombo. As expected of something called “Uganda’s feast,” it seems it’s not readily available at inexpensive local eateries.
After gathering information by talking to locals, I learned that Luwombo could be eaten at a place called “2K Restaurant.” 2K Restaurant is a well-regarded restaurant in Kampala city that serves traditional Ugandan cuisine.
I immediately used Safe Boda (motorcycle taxi) to head to 2K Restaurant. After racing through Kampala city, I finally arrived at my destination. The exterior of the restaurant had a casual atmosphere and was bustling with locals.
Entering the restaurant, I promptly ordered Luwombo. The server responded with a smile, “Yes, we have Luwombo!” which was a relief. After a short wait, the Luwombo wrapped in banana leaves was brought to the table.
Luwombo as it first arrived in this state
At first, I was a bit confused, wondering “How do I eat this?” when presented with the dish still wrapped in banana leaves. However, the kind server opened the banana leaves for me. When the leaves were unfolded, steaming beef spare ribs were revealed, emitting a rich aroma. This scent alone instantly relieved the fatigue from hours of searching.
The server skillfully shapes the Luwombo with practiced hands
Furthermore, the server deftly formed the banana leaves into a bowl shape and placed the Luwombo inside. Together with the side vegetables, a beautifully set dish was complete.
The Taste of Luwombo
The completed Luwombo with side vegetables and the flavor-enhancing groundnut sauce
I immediately took a bite of the Luwombo. The perfect balance of spices and meat umami spread in my mouth, with the banana leaf flavor adding an accent. The beef spare ribs were surprisingly tender, crumbling in my mouth. The taste was as if the richness of Uganda’s fertile land and the blessings of its sun were captured within. The complex aroma of spices and the juiciness of the meat intertwined exquisitely, with new discoveries as I continued eating.
Also, it’s popular among locals to eat it with pink groundnut sauce. Following the local style, I enjoyed varying the taste by adding the rich sauce.
Summary
Luwombo, which I obtained after racing around Kampala city. It was worth the effort to find it. Uganda’s traditional dish Luwombo captivates those who eat it with its deliciousness and unique cooking method. If you ever visit Kampala, please try Luwombo. Its deliciousness will allow you to feel the depth of Ugandan culture and cuisine.
