Name: Romazava
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Madagascar, East Africa
Ingredients: 500 g beef chuck, cubed; 2 cups mustard greens, chopped; 2 cups spinach, chopped; 1 cup watercress, chopped; 2 whole tomatoes, chopped; 1 whole onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 inch ginger, sliced; 3 cups water; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Romazava

Madagascar's national dish â€” a fragrant beef and mixed greens stew flavored with tomatoes, onions, and ginger.

Country

Madagascar

Region

East Africa

Time

65 min

Serves

Level

easy

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Romazava is the national dish of Madagascar, eaten daily across the island. Its name means "clear broth" in Malagasy, referring to the light yet flavorful soup base. The combination of mixed greens (called bredes) with beef creates a nourishing everyday meal that reflects the island's unique blend of Southeast Asian and African culinary heritage.

What the dish tastes like

Madagascar's national dish â€” a fragrant beef and mixed greens stew flavored with tomatoes, onions, and ginger.

When to cook it

Best for everyday meals, with a easy cooking level and about 65 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Use the interactive recipe fallback or country hub to explore pairings.

Brown Beef

Heat oil in a pot. Brown beef cubes on all sides over high heat.

Sear 10:00

Saute Aromatics

Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook until softened. Add tomatoes and cook until they break down.

Saute 08:00

Simmer Broth

Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until beef is tender.

The broth should remain relatively clear â€” this is a light stew, not a thick one.

Simmer 30:00

Add Greens

Add mustard greens first and cook 5 minutes. Then add spinach and watercress. Cook until all greens are wilted.

Add hardier greens first, delicate ones last, so nothing is overcooked.

Cook greens 08:00

Serve

Season with salt. Ladle into bowls over steamed white rice. Serve with rougail (tomato chili condiment) on the side.

In Madagascar, romazava is always served with vary (rice) â€” the rice is the main event, the stew is the accompaniment.

Romazava

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Step-by-step instructions

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