22 Delicious Jamaican Dishes You Must Try

I was born and bred in Jamaica which makes me the ultimate Jamaican which qualifies me to write this post. lol, I love my country, the people and the food. I grew up eating all these mention dishes and more. I thought I would share the ones that are a must-try. I’ve seen many people visit Jamaica and when I asked have you tried Curry Goat, Patty and Jerk, some will say Jerk but nothing else. It makes me wonder how can you visit a foreign country and not indulge in the amazing dishes that they have.

I’ve gathered these awesome dishes from around the web including ones I have created myself. I really hope you get a chance to try them when you visit Jamaica or even a Jamaican spot.

Best Jamaican Dishes

Jerk Chicken

Lawd a Mercy!!! Jerk Chicken is the sweetest thing. The only Jamaicans that don’t eat Jerk Chicken is probably Vegans and Vegetarians but I guarantee they have some form of Jerk tho.

                             @Jamaica via Instagram

Jerk Pork

My fave! I love jerk pork so much. It is basically the same method when cooking Jerk Chicken. Dousing this with some pepper sauce just makes it even better.

                              @affluentjamaica via Instagram

Fry Fish and Bammy

Omg, You must be tired of me saying something is my favorite, but I love fish and bammy. Whether it’s steamed, fried or roasted.  (Bammy is not pictured here)

                

Festival

Jamaican Festival is a fried dumpling made with cornmeal, flour, sugar and salt. Originated at Hellshire Beach, Portmore, St. Catherine, this fried dough is usually served with fish and jerk dishes.

                            @cascadejerk via Instagram

Red Peas Soup

Red peas Soups is made up of many ingredients, mainly kidney beans, stew bone, chunks of beef, ground seasoning and various ground provisions.

 

Chicken Foot Soup

Yes, Chicken Foot! It’s real and is bizarre to most people but nothing beats a nice Chicken Foot soup on a Saturday evening. It is made of Pumpking, Carrots and chicken feet.

Goat Head Soup

Goat head soup is also bizarre and weird to most people. Andre Zimmerman came to Jamaican and also was freaked out by it. But honestly, just try it you will realize its wondering flavors brings your taste buds to life. I will spare you the details of what this delicious meal consists of.

Stew Peas

Stew Peas is a very expensive but popular dish amongst many Jamaicans. Just like Red Peas Soup, it mainly consists of Kidney Beans, Pigtail, Beef and spinners (the worm like dough you see in this picture) lol

                               @garfield_bucka_taylor via Instagram

Oxtail and Beans

Again another expensive dish, ‘Oxtail dare enuh!’ Even though it’s expensive we find the money either to purchase it from a local cook shop or make it at home. It is a popular lunch and dinner recipe for many.

Saltfish Fritters or Stamp n Go

Saltfish Fritters is a perfect fried savory dish for breakfast or lunch. It is made up of Salted Fish flour, scotch bonnet pepper, scallion, tomato and onion.

                              Jamaican Current

Johnny Cake

Ok, Jonny Cake or fried dumplings whatever you want to call them. Based on my knowledge Jonny cake consist of butter, while fried dumplings does not. I think there is a a difference in taste because butter does real justice to anything. However, in the picture below I paired mine with eggs and cheese. Learn a thing or two from my big sister Monique.

Mackerel Run Dung (Rundown)

This is in fact one of my sister’s favorite. As the name suggests Mackerel Run Dung is made of salted Mackerel in coconut milk and lots of ground seasoning.

Saltfish

This here is sautéed Salted Fish with tomato, scallion, pepper, onion etc and it’s paired with boiled dumplings. I just realize we eat a lot of starch. Dumpling with everything, fry or boil. lol

Steamed Callaloo

Callaloo was originated in West Africa, it is not really a vegetable that is notable around the world. It’s a green leafy vegetable that is packed with lots of iron for the body. This is usually a breakfast dish for many Jamaicans on the weekend.

Ackee & Saltfish

If you aren’t familiar with Ackee and Salted Fish then you haven’t learned much about Jamaica in that case. Ackee & Saltfish as we call it is Jamaica’s national dish. It is usually paired with fried dumplings for breakfast while for dinner it’s paired with boiled green banana, boiled dumpling, yam and Irish potato.

Curry Goat

Knock pot cover! Which West Indian doh love Curry Goat??? Curry Goat and not Goat Curry as some people may say. Yes, Guyana I hear you!

Curry Chicken

Similar Preparation to Curry Goat but less cooking time. Best served with plain white rice.

Fricasse Chicken

Jamaican Fricasse chicken is brown first on both side then braised or cooked down until tender in a nice sauce.

Cornmeal Porridge

Cornmeal Porridge is a Jamaican traditional breakfast. I use to eat this a lot when I was a kid, I still do but I buy the instant porridge.

Beef Patty

Jamaica’s favorite lunch, it is made of a flaky dough/shell with different fillings stuff inside. Beef, Chicken, Lobster, Shrimp, Cheese or Veggie, whatever your choice you will love it.

Cow Foot

Mi love mi cow foot! As the name suggest, it’s Cow foot cooked down with butter or broad beans.

Rice and Peas

Some people call it rice and beans but we say rice and peas. Don’t argue with me. It is not just a Caribbean Dish but many Spanish countries have their own version of this delicious dish. Recipe here.