One of the beauties of living in another country is discovering new foods, fruits, and vegetables. My time in Kigali taught me that the pineapples here are the best and that I love dodo (klaroen). It also allowed me rediscover my love for plantains and yuca. I don't know why I hardly ever had them while living in Brooklyn, NY.
An impression of the Kabuga Market. More to come on that.
Shopping at the market in Kigali
Going to the market in Kigali is an experience, especially if you are not used to bargaining. The sellers are trying to get the most for their goods, and as a foreigner you will often be offered the muzungu price. Don't take it personally. It is part of the culture.
But you have to know the prices before you step into the game, and I didn't. I was lucky to have Betty, the local house manager, do the shopping. That is how I learned not only the prices but also the names of the produce. When I thought I had translated something perfectly into Kinyarwanda, Betty would still have questions about what I actually meant. Her English was much better than my Kinyarwanda, and she is more competent than Google. I learned my lesson.
Some of my staples: Avocado, carrots, tomatoes, cilantro, ginger.
Produce prices in Rwanda
Here is roughly what I bought and consumed in a week. The number at the bottom still surprises me.
| Item | Quantity | Price (RWF) | Price USD | Price EUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetroot | 8 | 2,000 | 1.37 | 1.18 |
| Tomatoes | 10 | 1,000 | 0.69 | 0.59 |
| Red Cabbage | 1 | 1,000 | 0.69 | 0.59 |
| Pineapple | 1 | 1,500 | 1.03 | 0.89 |
| Carrots | 1 | 1,500 | 1.03 | 0.89 |
| Cucumbers | 2 | 1,000 | 0.69 | 0.59 |
| Okra | 8 | 500 | 0.34 | 0.29 |
| Green Papaya | 1 | 1,700 | 1.17 | 1.00 |
| Plantains | 14 | 1,400 | 0.96 | 0.83 |
| Transport | 1,200 | 0.82 | 0.71 | |
| TOTAL | 12,800 | 8.79 | 7.54 |
In the supermarket you can't bargain, and I spent more. Prices are generally reasonable. Simba is the largest supermarket chain and is well stocked. Imported foods, as everywhere, cost more. I spent most on cheese and salmon.
I had a lot of plantains and these pinapples are the best!
Now I wonder how much you spend where you live.
Interested in one of a kind gifts that ship straight from Rwanda?
Check out the collection Gifts from Rwanda.
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