Fufu, also spelled foo-foo, foufou, or fu fu, is a staple food of West Africa and Central Africa. It is a thick paste made by boiling some kind of tuber in water, and pounding with a large mortar and pestle until the desired consistency is reached. It may also be made by boiling flour in water, stirring vigorously until thick.

In Western Africa, fufu is usually made from yams, sometimes combined with cocoyam , plantains, or from maize. In Central Africa, Fufu is often made from cassava tubers, as is the Liberian dumboy. Fufu can also be made from semolina, rice, or even instant potato flakes.

In Western Africa, fufu is often served floating in pepper soup, with meat or fish. It is often eaten without chewing, which can lead to a condition known as "fufu-belly."

Similar staples in Sub-Saharan Africa include ugali in East Africa, as well as sadza and mealie pap in Southern Africa, which are usually made from ground maize.

See also

• polenta
• mashed potato