Chipsi Mayai (Tanzanian French Fry Omelette)
Local name: Chipsi mayai
In short: Crisp fried potato sticks set into a thick, golden omelette, a Tanzanian street favorite served with fresh kachumbari and chili sauce. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 3 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 3
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 455 kcal
Chipsi mayai, literally chips and eggs, is one of Tanzania's favorite street meals: crisp fries set inside a thick, golden omelette. Cooks at roadside stalls fry a batch to order, and the dish is eaten for lunch, late-night snacks and cheap family dinners. It is served with kachumbari, a fresh tomato and onion salad, and a squeeze of chili sauce or ketchup.
Instructions
- Rinse the potato sticks in cold water, then dry them very well with a clean towel.
- Heat the frying oil in a wide, deep skillet to 170°C (340°F). Fry the potatoes in two batches for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and tender. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the salt.
- Beat the eggs with the salt, pepper and chili flakes, if using, in a bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the omelette oil in a 25 cm (10 inch) nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spread a third of the fries in the pan and pour a third of the eggs over them.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the edges are set. Slide the omelette onto a plate, flip it back into the pan upside down and cook 2 more minutes until the eggs are fully set.
- Repeat with the remaining fries and eggs. Serve hot with kachumbari, chili sauce and lime wedges.
Tips
- Dry potatoes crisp better. Pat them dry after rinsing, or the oil will spatter and the fries will turn soft.
- Frozen fries can replace homemade ones. Bake or fry them until crisp, then use them in step 4.
Questions and answers
Can I bake the fries instead of frying them?
Yes. Toss the potato sticks with 2 tablespoons of oil and roast at 220°C (425°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until golden.
What do you serve with chipsi mayai?
Kachumbari, chili sauce, ketchup and lime are the usual toppings. Some stalls add a handful of chopped cabbage or a skewer of grilled meat.
How do I flip the omelette without breaking it?
Slide it onto a flat plate, then invert the pan over the plate and flip both together. Make smaller omelettes if you find a large one hard to turn.
How long does it take to make Chipsi Mayai (Tanzanian French Fry Omelette)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chipsi Mayai (Tanzanian French Fry Omelette)?
About 455 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 35 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 455 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
