Igikoma (Porridge)
At a glance
| Type of dish | Porridge |
|---|---|
| Made from | Millet, sorghum, maize or cassava flour |
| Eaten | At breakfast |
| Served | Warm, in a cup or bowl |
Source: The New Times: Igikoma, the wonder dish; Wikipedia: Rwandan cuisine1,2
What It Is
Igikoma is a porridge. The New Times describes it as millet porridge and a favourite breakfast for many people in Rwanda, young and old, also enjoyed by athletes and breastfeeding mothers.1
How It Is Made
The flour is cooked in water into a thin porridge. Besides millet, porridge in Rwanda is made from maize, sorghum or cassava flour.1,2
A Rwandan Breakfast
Breakfast in Rwanda is usually simple. Common foods are roasted sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains, porridge, and tea or coffee, often sweetened and sometimes with milk. In towns, mandazi and chapati are also eaten.2
Frequently Asked Questions
What is igikoma?
A porridge of millet, sorghum, maize or cassava flour.
When is igikoma eaten?
At breakfast. It is a favourite for many Rwandans, young and old.
What else is eaten at a Rwandan breakfast?
Roasted sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains, and tea or coffee. In towns, mandazi and chapati too.
Sources
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
