trips & activitiesDIRECTORYeventscontact

Traditional Dish Recipe: Pem Bem

My Magazine 2022/01
8 min
Pem bem is local food in The Gambia, mostly prepared by a Jola ethnic group. Pem bem is a likeable food rich in protein and vitamins. It is also very easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

  • Fish
  • Onion
  • Black pepper
  • Maggie Cube
  • Hot Pepper
  • Salt
  • Rice

Preparation:

Remove fish scales and clean the fish.

Pound the black pepper, hot pepper and onion. When pounded, put a small amount of water in the cooking pot and add the pounded mixture. Bring to boil and leave it cooking for about 15 mins.

Add the fish, some salt and Maggie cube. Bring to boil again and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of fish.

Prepare the rice. Put a small amount of water into the pot and bring it to a boil. Wash the rice in the meantime. Put it in a colander and steam it for 10 minutes. Then remove it from the colander and put it on the cooking pot. Add a pinch of salt and leave it to cook for 10 more minutes.

Serve while hot. Traditionally, food is served in a big round bowl for the whole family. The sauce is poured on top.

NOTE: The fish is put last so it does not fall apart, and the onions get cooked properly.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it with friends >>>

Find Your Dream Home - Detached Houses in Sanyang
Subscribe To Our Magazine
No spam, notifications only about new issues.
Subscription Form za Mailerlite - landing
Subscribe To Our Magazine
No spam, notifications only about new issues.
Subscription Form za Mailerlite - landing

Other articles

Bird of the month: Osprey
This diurnal raptor is one of the larger birds spotted in The Gambia, with an average size from 52 to 61 cm tall. It has long and narrow wings which c...
Dictionary: Tenses
How to express tense? In Wolof, as well as in Mandinka, sometimes there will be no strict rule on how to form the sentences in the correct tense. Most...
Christmas Bazaar at YOSH is better each year
Christmas Bazaar took place at Yosh Restaurant in Fajara on the 18th and 19th of December. It was another successful event which we all love to attend...
Travel ideas for solo travellers to The Gambia
To find solitude, freedom, self-indulgence, and be a social butterfly of your own, why not try solo travel to The Smiling Coast of Africa (The Gambia)...
JOBS
© MyGambia 2026
Developed by MarkLab

My Gambia Team

Typically replies within 30 minutes

We will be back soon.

Hey there 👋
We are here to help. What can I do for you?
Start Chat with us
chat