Nganda African Street Food celebrates traditional West and Central African cuisine, serving everything from sweet plantains and well-seasoned jollof rice, to charred chicken and tender grilled goat. 

Originally known for its takeout, this hidden gem is now open for dine-in and is located inside Riko Bokito in the Entertainment District. 

For chef and owner Justine Rodrigue, opening a restaurant that introduces regional African flavours has always been the goal since her days in culinary school. 

"I love cooking, and I really enjoy seeing people eating my food," Rodrigue shared. "With African street food, we wanted to cater to not just a particular country but all the different flavours and places within the continent. And street food just always tastes better, right?" 

Whether drawing inspiration from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Nigeria, Rodrigue has been able to explore a variety of dishes, creating a menu that showcases the nuances of African food. 

La Bassamoise ($17.90) is one of the many vegan dishes. It's a cassava couscous salad topped with plantains. Made from grated cassava, the gluten-free couscous was light and fluffy. The plantains were perfectly fried. 

The Vegan Mbote ($20.90) is a traditional Congolese dish with pounded cassava leaves, stewed eggplant, onion, beans, and palm oil. The thick and creamy stew is spicy, aromatic, and rich. It's served with white rice and plantains. 

One of my favourite dishes was the Char Grilled Chicken Attiéké ($16.90). Accompanied by cassava couscous and an in-house moyo sauce consisting of chopped tomato, onion and cucumber, it's a well-balanced meal. The charred chicken is deeply flavourful and smoky. 

The Buga or Egusi-Fufu ($29.90) is a Nigerian stew and rounded dumpling of pounded yam. Rich and robust, the stew contained beef tripe, chicken and goat that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The fufu was soft and pillowy and served as the perfect vehicle for sopping up the stew. 

A tried-and-true customer favourite is the West African Shayo or Suya Beef-Jollof Rice ($20.90). The beef has a dry rub of suya spice that packs a punch of heat and smokiness. The jollof rice is prepared with tomato, ginger, garlic, bell peppers, curry powder, and thyme.

It tasted like a party in my mouth, with layers of sweet, spicy, earthy, and smoky notes. I also appreciated the tender yet slightly chewy texture of the rice. 

Also on the menu are Rodrigue's signature Chicken Wings (6 for $13.90, 10 for $22.90). Perfectly seasoned with a satisfying char, the wings are tender and juicy inside, with a crispy exterior. They're served with a homemade Nganda sauce for dipping.

For a more Canadian twist, there's Char-Grilled Salmon ($25.90). While the salmon is flaky and flavorful, the true standouts on the menu are the more traditional African dishes. 

Finally, the Mikaté Choco or Puff Puff (10 for $10) are a must-order. They're a street food staple, eaten across the continent, every region with its own name for the sweet treat. 

"Nigerians call it puff puff. Congolese call it Mikati," Rodrigue explained. 

Comparable to a beignet, these fried and golden brown donuts are coated in a layer of chocolate and sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes. 

To drink, Rodrigue makes a homemade Bissap or Sorrel Juice ($8). Made with hibiscus, it's refreshing, earthy, and sweet.

Going with the street food style menu, the space is designed to be cozy, communal, and casual. From the vibrant music to the curated decor, every detail is a nod to African culture. Even the placemats evoke the warmth and familiarity of sharing a meal at home with friends.

The name Nganda reflects this spirit, referring to a gathering place where people come together to enjoy music, dance, and, of course, delicious street food.

Nganda African Street Food is located at 254 Adelaide St W.