Bread is almost universal in Senegalese breakfast. I have eaten bread all over the world, including some of the best bakeries in New York and Paris. The bread you can buy on the street in Senegal is better than all of them! On the sandwich you can order things like beans, fried eggs, hard-boiled eggs, spaghetti, fried potatoes (sometimes French fries!), spices, tuna, onions, mayonnaise and green peas. My usual order is ñebbi (some spicy beans) with a fried egg, onions, and a spice blend that includes kanni xeen (“hot pepper”). It will wake you up in the morning! I also enjoy the spaghetti sandwich with a fried egg or the spicy tuna sandwich.
Lunch and Dinner: Because breakfast is late, lunch is usually served about 2:00 p.m. and dinner is served around 8:00 p.m. While people usually eat breakfast on their own or on-the-go, lunch and dinner are family affairs with everyone sitting around a large common bowl and sharing food. Food can be eaten with a spoon or with your hands, but be careful to only eat what is in front of you! Meat is expensive, so it is placed in the center of the bowl and the cook will usually tear off pieces and portion it out to each person. Friend, family and children all gather around and truly share everything. It also teaches cultural lessons to small children as they learn how to respect their elders, share with the family, and wait patiently.
