Food of Lesotho: 10 Traditional Dishes

Lesotho is a landlocked country, encircled entirely by South Africa, spanning a total of 11,720 square miles.

Lesotho is home to the Maloti Mountains, famous for having the highest peak in Southern Africa. Over two thirds of Lesotho consists of mountains which earned the country’s nickname, ‘The Mountain Kingdom’.

The country gained independence from the UK in 1966, becoming the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Most Popular Dishes of Lesotho

The diet of many of the Basotho people in Lesotho consists largely of beans, grains, and vegetables.

Most recipes are made with beans, grains, and vegetables. Stews are one of the most popular types of food in Lesotho; meat, peanut-based and vegetable stews are all hearty comfort foods served across the country.

Papa, a porridge made with maize, is a staple dish in Lesotho. This is similar to fufu, found across Africa, and is also served as a side dish to stews and curries.

Due to their limited availability, very few spices are used in Lesotho cuisine. This makes the dishes of Lesotho milder than those found in surrounding countries around Africa.

Likhobe (Bean Stew)

Likhobe is a thick, stew-like dish made with speckled red beans, sorghum and bulghur. This dish is often served as a side dish to accompany stews or meats.

Sorghum is one of the main ingredients of Likhobe, this is a cereal grain like barley or wheat and it gives the dish an oatmeal-like texture.

Papa (Maize Porridge)

Papa is a porridge-like dish made by boiling maize meal in water and stirring it with a stick called a ‘Lesokoana’, until it becomes thick.

Papa is often served with Moroho (leafy greens), although may also be served with meat, eggs, or other protein. This side dish is similar to fufu which is made with cassava.

In the highlands of Lesotho, where there are limited options to buy food, maize is sent to a mill to be ground into finer grain to be made into papa.

Nyekoe (Beans and Pumpkin Stew)

Nyekoe is a stew made with sorghum, beans and other vegetables including pumpkin.

This vegetarian stew can be served either hot or cold, and it’s usually sold during the colder winter months by street vendors in Lesotho.

Moroho (Leafy Greens)

Moroho is made of leafy greens such as spinach, which are typically fried in oil with onions and spices. Alternative ingredients like stinging nettles or cabbage may be used to make Moroho.

Moroho is served as a side dish to stews and meat dishes, and is often served alongside papa.

Bohobe (Steamed Bread)

Bohobe is steamed bread which is a popular side dish in Lesotho. The dough for Bohobe is made with flour, yeast, warm water and salt.

Steaming this dough gives the bread a soft, spongy texture and light brown exterior. Bohobe is also a popular bread in neighboring country South Africa.

Motoho (Sour Porridge)

Motoho is a sour porridge made from crushed sorghum and water, which is left to ferment and is often served cold with sugar.

To make Motoho, the sorghum is left to soak in water overnight which allows time for ferment to occur, giving the dish a sour flavor. This can be eaten as a porridge-like dish, or made to be more runny and consumed as a breakfast drink.

Liphaphatha (Pancakes)

Liphaphatha is a savory pancake, similar to an American English Muffin, which is made with flour, yeast and water.

The dough is flattened and cut into round shapes, before roasting on the hot surface of a pot until golden brown. Liphaphatha is a popular street food snack sold by street vendors in Lesotho.

Liphaphatha has a plain flavor and is often served to soak up stew or sauce.

Likahare (Tripe Stew)

Likahare is a dish made from tripe and offal of animals such as cows or sheep, often served with papa (maize porridge) or bread.

To make this dish, the tripe and intestines are thoroughly cleaned and cooked with water, it is cut it into smaller pieces and returned to the broth until it into a thick gravy.

This is a popular recipe to use up parts of the animal that may otherwise be wasted, including the kidneys, liver, heart, tripe, and intestines.

Makoenya (Cinnamon Donuts)

Makoenya are similar to donuts, they are made by shaping dough into small balls and deep-frying in oil until golden brown, often covered in cinnamon and sugar. This dough is sometimes made with raisins for added flavor and texture.

Makoenya can be found in fast-food restaurants and street vendors, they are a popular breakfast food or snack in Lesotho.

Braai (BBQ Meats)

Braai is a dish made by grilling meat over hot coals, any meat can be used, including beef or pork, wors (South African sausage), or fish as an alternative. The meat is usually seasoned or marinated for extra flavor.

This dish originated in neighboring country South Africa; braais are casual, informal social events where families and friends come together to eat. Traditionally, a braai is cooked on local wood, but charcoal may also be used.

Braai is usually served with papa (maize porridge) on the side, as well as bread, vegetables and/or Moroho (leafy greens).

This cooking technique is similar to barbecues popular in Australia or South American Asado.