
East Africa · Soup
Maraq Digaag (Spiced Chicken and Potato Soup)
A golden, comforting chicken and potato broth infused with aromatic Xawaash, fresh cilantro, and a bright squeeze of lime.
The story
Prepared across homes in both northern Somaliland and southern riverine towns, Maraq Digaag is the quintessential restorative dish served for dinner, post-fasting iftar, or during convalescence. The soup reflects the pastoral ethos of extracting maximum nourishment and clean flavour from bone-in poultry and hearty root vegetables simmered gently. Unlike thickened Western stews, Maraq retains a clear yet deeply spiced, golden broth that is customarily spooned over shredded sabaayad flatbread or sipped straight from wide enamel mugs.
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