In brief
- Alloco is Côte d'Ivoire's iconic street food: slices of well-ripened plantain, fried.
- Origin: Côte d'Ivoire, sold everywhere in the country's streets and markets.
- Key ingredients: well-ripened plantain, red palm oil, spicy tomato sauce.
- Eaten on the go, as a snack or alongside a fish or meat dish.
Origins and cultural history of alloco
Alloco is Côte d'Ivoire's iconic street food: slices of well-ripened plantain, fried and served with a spicy tomato sauce. It is found throughout the country, from the maquis of Abidjan to street stalls in mid-sized towns, prepared on the spot in large pots of hot oil.
The word refers both to the fried plantain itself and to the complete dish served with its sauce. There is no direct English translation: it is simply called fried plantain with tomato sauce. A variant, garba, pairs alloco with attiéé and fried tuna.
What are the essential ingredients of alloco
The alloco recipe needs few ingredients: plantain fried in palm oil forms the base, while the spicy tomato sauce adds depth.
- well-ripened plantain (yellow to black skin)
- red palm oil or a neutral vegetable oil, for frying
- fresh tomatoes
- onion
- fresh chilli
- salt
What to know about alloco
Alloco is made of slices of very ripe plantain, fried until the natural sugar caramelizes, then served with a spicy tomato sauce and onion. It is the street food of Côte d'Ivoire, sold in the streets and markets across the country. It is eaten on the go, as an appetizer or alongside a fish or meat dish. A variation, garba, pairs it with attiéké and fried tuna.
Frequently asked questions about Ivorian alloco
What is alloco in English?
Alloco refers to slices of well-ripened plantain, fried until caramelised, then served with a spicy tomato sauce and onion. There is no equivalent English word: it is the name of the dish itself, an icon of Ivorian street food.
What is the difference between plantain and alloco?
Plantain is the ingredient, alloco is the dish. A well-ripened plantain, with almost black skin, is used, cut into angled slices and fried: the natural sugar caramelises. With a green plantain, you get chips or tostones instead, salty and crisp.
Where to find the ingredients for Ivorian alloco in France?
NKOSI sells the red palm oil and spices needed for alloco and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
