West Africa · Street food
Pain Touffé (Spiced Minced Meat and Onion Baguette Sandwich)
Crusty Senegalese baguettes stuffed with intensely spiced, caramelized minced beef smothered in a sweet, peppery mustard-onion compote.
The story
A staple of Dakar's vibrant nightlife, Pain Touffé ('stifled/smothered bread') is ordered from neighborhood 'tangana' stands and roadside kiosks in the early hours of the morning. Developed as a fast-paced urban interpretation of traditional Senegalese meat braises, the filling relies on the holy trinity of Senegalese street seasoning: Dijon mustard, crushed Maggi bouillon, and coarse black pepper. The spiced beef and deeply stewed onions are ladled piping hot with their rendered spiced juices directly into split crusty baguettes, softening the crumb while maintaining outer crunch.
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