Suugo suqaar

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Suugo suqaar is Somali beef sauce, unique for the use of hawaij, an Arabic spice blend of cumin, black pepper, turmeric, and cardamom. Suugo suqaar is an adaptation of similar Italian beef sauces, which were introduced to Somali cuisine by Italians who once colonized parts of the country. The sauce is usually made with beef cut into small cubes (ground or chopped beef can also be used), tomatoes, onions, and various herbs and spices, with hawaij being the most important and essential for the unique, earthy taste. The sauce is mainly paired with pasta but can also be served with rice or roasted sweet potatoes.