Chinese Food in Uganda: Locals flocking to specialized restaurants in Kampala

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Chinese food is becoming a major hit in Uganda. The growing demand for the cuisine has led to a rapid rise in the number of specialized restaurants. CGTN's Hillary Ayesiga spent some time in one of the most popular ones in the country's capital, Kampala.

It's rush hour, orders are coming in and the Special on this lunch menu is Pineapple Fish. According to the chefs, it's the mix of Chinese flavors and local fish which makes it cuisine so unique.

"I first remove the bones from the Nile Perch fish, mix it with starch and pineapple, then I deep fry it with onions. After I prepare tomato sauce with vinegar."

The plate is decorated with vegetables, then the dish is served with shredded beef and rice.

HILLARY AYESIGA KAMPALA, UGANDA "The chefs say this is one of the finest dishes they prepare here. Pineapple fish with vegetable rice sells around 200 plates a month."

And Ugandan diners are flocking to restaurants like this.

FATUMA NANZIRI GOURMET "They have delicious dishes, I agree that Ugandan restaurants also have good dishes but I wanted to taste a Chinese dish."

It is also a popular spot for Chinese visitors and many working in Uganda.

DAVID WANG RESTAURANT MANAGER "These days many Chinese are coming to Africa to do business, so we not only have Ugandan customers, but also a high demand from Chinese expatriates who would be missing home dishes."

The hotel serves dishes like sizzling pork, hot pot, and marinated chicken wings among others. According to Uganda investment authority, there are over twenty-two licensed Chinese restaurants in Kampala. But increasingly there is stiff competition from other Asian restaurants that have set foot in the country.

DAVID WANG RESTAURANT MANAGER "More restaurants are opening up here not only Chinese but Korean, Japanese and Indian restaurants, they are flooding here so the competition is increasing."

But as the appetite for the Chinese food grows locally, it means more work for these chefs to prepare the mouth-watering dishes. HILLARY AYESIGA, CGTN, KAMPALA .