Palm butter soup
Liberia's rich palm-fruit stew
Think of it as: Like a creamy curry where palm fruit replaces coconut
Butter, but make it palm fruit.
What does it taste like?
Rich, earthy palm flavor with smoky fish and chili.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureThick and silky
What is it?
A rich, orange stew of meat or fish simmered in palm butter, a cream made from pounded palm fruit pulp. A Liberian favorite, poured over rice.
How locals eat it
Ladled over rice or dumboy (pounded cassava), often as a Sunday meal.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇱🇷Liberia
CapitalMonrovia
Populationabout 5.8 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesIron ore, Rubber, Timber
Famous peopleEllen Johnson SirleafAfrica's first elected female head of state, Nobel Peace Prize winner
HelloHello (English)
CurrencyLiberian dollar
Fun factFounded by freed African Americans, it declared independence in 1847, making it Africa's oldest republic.
The flag🇱🇷 Modeled on the US flag: 11 stripes for the 11 signers of its declaration of independence, and a white star for freedom.
From Tokyoabout 14,420 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Monrovia
Getting there20+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season, November to April. Also tryDumboy (pounded cassava)Pepper soupCassava leaf soup
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season, November to April. Also tryDumboy (pounded cassava)Pepper soupCassava leaf soup
🇱🇷 Sounds & life in Liberia
HelloHello（Hello (English)）
Latin
Latin
Right now…
AnthemAll Hail, Liberia, Hail!
SportFootball
George Weah (football, first African Ballon d'Or winner)
SportFootball
George Weah (football, first African Ballon d'Or winner)
Ingredients
- 400g canned palm nut cream
- 500g chicken or beef
- 100g dried or smoked fish
- 1 onion
- 1-2 chilies
- 500ml water
- Salt
Can't find it? Canned palm nut cream (sauce graine) is sold in African grocers.
How to make it (one way)
- Season meat with salt and onion and steam briefly
- Add water and palm nut cream
- Add chilies and smoked fish
- Simmer over an hour, stirring, until oil rises
- Serve over rice
Get the ingredients (ad)
palm nut creamAmazon