A Perfect Introduction to African Food: Yassa Chicken

For newcomers to African cuisine, why not make the first dish one of the most delicious? Yassa chicken (known as yassa au poulet) is a traditional chicken dish from the Casamance region of Senegal in West Africa. Prepared with lemons and onion, it is one of the most popular dishes...

By Laura Hahnefeld

June 12, 2012

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For newcomers to African cuisine, why not make the first dish one of the most delicious?

Yassa chicken (known as yassa au poulet) is a traditional chicken dish from the Casamance region of Senegal in West Africa. Prepared with lemons and onion, it is one of the most popular dishes in Africa and can be found in Senegalese restaurants all over the globe.

Plus, fun fact: It's been featured on an episode of the children's animated television series Arthur -- and that anthropomorphic aardvark doesn't eat just anything.

You can score a dish of yassa chicken at Fu-Fu Cuisine, the clean and comfortable African and Caribbean eatery on the city's west side.

Owner and chef Esther Mbaikambey makes her version of yassa chicken with sautéed onions, bell peppers, green olives, peanut oil, and Dijon mustard. It's an unusual yet satisfying mix of tastes and textures, with the flavors of the mustard and sweet onions leading the way. And at just $9.99, a second helping might be in order.

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