Ackee and saltfish
Ackee fruit sautéed with salt cod
Think of it as: Like scrambled eggs, except the eggs grew on a tree
Looks like scrambled eggs. Grew on a tree.
What does it taste like?
Soft like scrambled eggs, with plenty of savory flavor from the salt cod.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy and soft
What is it?
Jamaica's national dish: ackee fruit sautéed with salt cod. Cooked ackee turns soft and fluffy, a lot like eggs.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
A breakfast staple, eaten with fried dumplings (festival) or boiled green bananas.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇯🇲Jamaica
CapitalKingston
Populationabout 2.83 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesTourism, Bauxite (the raw material for aluminum), Coffee (Blue Mountain)
Common surnamesBrown, Williams, SmithFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
Famous peopleUsain BoltSprinter who holds the 100 m and 200 m world recordsBob MarleyThe king of reggae
HelloWah gwaan (what's up?)
CurrencyJamaican dollar
And JapanJapan imports much of the premium Blue Mountain coffee
Fun factThe country from the film Cool Runnings, which sent a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics despite having no snow
The flag🇯🇲 Black is the strength of the people, green is the land and hope, and gold is the sunshine.
From Tokyoabout 12,920 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Kingston
Getting thereabout 18 hours from Tokyo (with transfers)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April, when there's less rain, is best. Also tryJerk chickenPattiesRice and peas More from here🍲 Mannish water
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April, when there's less rain, is best. Also tryJerk chickenPattiesRice and peas More from here🍲 Mannish water
🇯🇲 Sounds & life in Jamaica
HelloHello（Wah gwaan (what's up?)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"Jamaica, Land We Love"
MusicReggae Jamaican music with a laid-back offbeat
SportTrack and field (cricket and soccer are popular too)
Usain Bolt (sprinting; 100 m world record of 9.58 seconds) World HeritageBlue and John Crow Mountains and more National animalDoctor bird (red-billed streamertail, national bird) National flowerLignum vitae FestivalIndependence Day (August 6)
MusicReggae Jamaican music with a laid-back offbeat
SportTrack and field (cricket and soccer are popular too)
Usain Bolt (sprinting; 100 m world record of 9.58 seconds) World HeritageBlue and John Crow Mountains and more National animalDoctor bird (red-billed streamertail, national bird) National flowerLignum vitae FestivalIndependence Day (August 6)
Ingredients
- Canned ackee 1 can
- Salt cod 200 g
- Onion 1
- Tomato 1
- Bell pepper and chili, a little
- Thyme
Can't find it? Ackee comes canned. Lightly salted cod can stand in for salt cod.
How to make it (one way)
- Soak the salt cod in water overnight to remove the salt, then boil and flake it
- Sauté the onion, bell pepper, tomato, chili and thyme
- Add the cod and mix
- Drain the ackee and fold it in gently so it doesn't break up
- Serve with bread or boiled green bananas
⚠️ Unripe ackee is poisonous. Never use the raw fruit; use processed canned ackee instead.
Get the ingredients (ad)
canned ackeeAmazon