Watch Anthony Bourdain experiencing food and culture in Ghana

In this episode Anthony Bourdain was honest enough to admit that “there are not many places in the world I haven’t been to, but sub-Saharan Africa is a mystery.” He speaks about Ghana’s tragic past in regards to the slave trade, but he does make it clear that this is not an episode on the past. He visited the Makola market where he seemed fascinated by the market queens – women who run the market. Ultimately he admits that

You don’t master Makola market; you submit to the sensation and impulse

At the renowned Asanka local restaurant in Accra, he get a taste of a typical Ghanaian chop bar where he has omotuo and peanut soup. Asked if he thought Ghanaian food will sell in the West, he gives an emphatic “Yes.”

Great to see the late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey giving Anthony Bourdain a quick tour of the local fishing community in Accra. He talks about Ghana’s relationship with the African American diaspora and how Ghana is doing its best to welcome them back.

It was fascinating to see Anthony Bourdain tuck into the ubiquitous Ghana kenkey with fish and shito.Later on at night, at the Osu night market, he had dom3do as well as rice and kontomire stew. “Spicy and real strong flavours” were his descriptions of the various dishes.

Up next was Ghana’s Mole National Park which has over 800 elephants and covers a huge expanse of land. Bourdain was taken to a nearby village where he explored the shea butter plant and its many uses.

In the great Ashanti Kingdom, Anthony Bourdain was treated to a cultural display he would perhaps never experience anywhere else in the world. Eating grass cutter and sampling some palm wine was a delightful feature of this part of the episode.

Overall, an interesting episode, but one that I wish could have also explored some of the more upmarket food culture of Accra and Ghana. A perspective from those in the know in Ghana budding foodie scene was missing.