About this Dish
Madagascar's national dish — a beef and leafy green broth eaten over rice.
History & Origin
Romazava is considered Madagascar's national dish, its base of anamalaho and other native greens simmered with zebu beef into a light, herbaceous broth.
IngredientsServes 2
🥩Beef (chuck or stewing beef), 600g cut into chunks
🌿Fresh spinach or watercress, 200g roughly chopped
🌱Anamamy leaves (or substitute sorrel or young spinach), 100g
🧅White onion, 1 large finely chopped
🍅Ripe tomatoes, 3 medium roughly chopped
🧄Garlic cloves, 3 minced
🫚Neutral oil (sunflower or vegetable), 2 tablespoons
🧂Salt, 1 teaspoon or to taste
🌶️Bird's eye chilli, 1 whole (optional, kept whole for mild heat)
💧Water, 1.2 litres
Method
1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.2
Add the beef chunks to the pot and brown them on all sides for about 5–6 minutes. This step builds a deep, savoury base for the broth, so don't rush it.3
Add the chopped tomatoes and stir well, letting them break down for 3–4 minutes into a rough sauce that coats the meat.4
Pour in the water, add the whole chilli if using, and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 60–75 minutes until the beef is very tender.5
Taste the broth and adjust salt as needed. Remove the chilli if you prefer it mild, or leave it in for extra warmth.6
Add all the leafy greens to the pot and stir them in. Cook uncovered for just 5–8 minutes until the greens are wilted but still bright and slightly tender — do not overcook them.7
Serve the romazava ladled over steamed white rice (vary), making sure everyone gets plenty of broth, greens, and tender beef in their bowl.User Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Sign in to leave a review
Members can create lists, save favourites and get recommendations.
Find the Best Romazava Near Me
AI-powered — Google, TripAdvisor and food blogs
🌍 Food Vlogs
Food vloggers eating and cooking it at the source
🌍
No videos yet
What To Eat
The World's Food Guide
© 2025 What To Eat · hello@whattoeat.world