Mbinzo
Congo's caterpillar stew
Think of it as: Like tiny chewy shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce
Caterpillars in tomato sauce. Dinner is served.
What does it taste like?
Nutty and savory like dried shrimp, softened by tomato and chili.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureChewy with a slight pop
What is it?
Moth caterpillars gathered from Congo's forests are stewed with tomato and onion or fried. In Lingala they're called mbinzo. Packed with protein, they're sold in heaps at markets.
How locals eat it
Eaten with fufu, chikwangue (cassava bread) or rice.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇨🇩DR Congo
CapitalKinshasa
Populationabout 117 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesMining (cobalt, copper), Agriculture
Armed conflict continues in the east.
Famous peoplePapa WembaSuperstar of Congolese rumbaDikembe MutomboNBA star center
HelloBonjour (French) / Mbote (Lingala)
CurrencyCongolese franc
And JapanMuch of the cobalt in smartphone batteries is mined here.
Fun factThe Congo River is said to be the deepest river in the world, over 200m in places.
The flag🇨🇩 Sky blue for peace, red for blood shed for the country, yellow for wealth, the star for a bright future.
From Tokyoabout 13,350 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Kinshasa
Getting there22+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDry season, June to September. Also tryPondu🍡 FufuMoambe chicken
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDry season, June to September. Also tryPondu🍡 FufuMoambe chicken
🇨🇩 Sounds & life in DR Congo
BonjourHello（Bonjour (French) / Mbote (Lingala)）
Latin
Latin
Right now…
AnthemDebout Congolais
MusicCongolese rumba Danceable rumba with sparkling guitars
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
Dikembe Mutombo (basketball, NBA shot-blocking legend) World HeritageVirunga National Park and more National animalOkapi
MusicCongolese rumba Danceable rumba with sparkling guitars
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
Dikembe Mutombo (basketball, NBA shot-blocking legend) World HeritageVirunga National Park and more National animalOkapi
Ingredients
- 200g dried caterpillars
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 chili
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt
Can't find it? Hard to find outside Central Africa.
How to make it (one way)
- Rinse and soak the caterpillars in warm water
- Boil to clean off any grit
- Fry onion and garlic in oil
- Add caterpillars, tomato and chili
- Simmer until the sauce reduces
⚠️ People with shellfish allergies may react to insects.