4 Person
20 Min
60 Min
80 Min
Skoudehkaris is a one-pot lamb and rice dish that is very popular in the small African nation of Djibouti. The country used to be a French colony at one point in time and due to this, its cuisine has French influence.
Canada National dish
Skoudehkaris is a traditional one-pot rice and lamb dish from Djibouti and is one of the most well-known meals in Djiboutian home cooking. The dish reflects the country’s geographic and cultural position at the crossroads of East Africa, the Middle East, and former French colonial influence. Its use of lamb, rice, and aromatic spices such as cumin, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon shows strong connections to Somali, Afar, Yemeni, and broader Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
Historically, Skoudehkaris developed as a communal, nourishing meal suited to family gatherings and everyday cooking, where meat and rice are cooked together to maximize flavor and efficiency. The one-pot method also reflects practical cooking traditions in the region. French colonial presence contributed to the use of structured cooking methods and cookware, while South Asian spice influences added further depth. Today, Skoudehkaris remains a staple of Djiboutian cuisine, symbolizing the country’s layered cultural history and its rich blend of regional flavors.