Ndolé, Koki and TikTok tutorials: Cameroonian cuisine takes center stage on social media🍲

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Cameroonian cuisine, rich in colors and flavors, is now being reinvented on screens, both locally and abroad. Internet users are swapping old recipe notebooks for YouTube videos, Facebook/Instagram reels, or WhatsApp groups to learn how to cook a good ndolé or put their own twist on koki. In households, smartphones have become essential kitchen tools to prepare a thoughtful meal for the family.

Recipes hit different on video 🎥

On social media, the oral transmission of recipes is experiencing a revival. Gone are the days of “watch how mom does it.” Now, we listen, we watch, we record, and we follow along. YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and even WhatsApp have become the new generation of cookbooks. In fact, most women, if not all, now feel comfortable with this new learning method.

“I learned how to make taro with yellow sauce on TikTok. I used to think it was complicated, but with videos, I realized it wasn’t that hard. You just follow the steps. You see, even foreign dishes can be made by simply watching a video—whether it’s from a chef or just a cooking enthusiast,” says Olivia, a student.

In some families, kids no longer ask their elders for cooking advice. Instead, they prefer the simplified recipes shared by food influencers. Names like La Cuisine de Sulson, Ndock Bidi, and Lucas Filatrio often come up in conversation. These are now well-recognized culinary content creators.

Bridging tradition and creativity ✨

The trend isn’t just about replicating grandma’s recipes. Online, creativity reigns. Some people reinvent sanga with fresh cream, others add kilichi to koki. Bold combinations that either delight or shock younger generations.

“Once I tried a vegan eru I found on Instagram. I was skeptical, but it turned out great. It’s different, but after that, you get a flood of insults. People are stuck on traditional recipes and don’t want to try anything new,” shares Joël, a fan of cooking.

Even in rural areas, things are changing. Thanks to pre-downloaded tutorials or Bluetooth sharing, women adapt recipes to their local realities.

When community gets involved 👩🏾‍🍳

Beyond public pages, private cooking groups are popping up. On WhatsApp or Facebook, people exchange tips, dish photos, and secret techniques. Some groups even organize challenges, share organic produce baskets, or sell homemade condiments.

“In our group, we have a theme every Saturday. This week it’s ‘okra-based dishes.’ Everyone posts their recipe. It’s fun, educational, and we laugh a lot. It also helps those who can’t cook to learn,” explains Mireille.

Not everything is tasty ⚠️

Between poorly measured quantities, hard-to-find ingredients, or sometimes questionable tips, not everything should be followed blindly. Some users, eager for visibility, share sloppy or risky recipes. Others copy content without crediting sources or skip steps altogether.

“I followed a beignet recipe on YouTube and messed up my dough three times. In the end, I had to call my aunt to fix things. You only see the texture in the video, but who knows if it actually tastes good!” laughs Stéphanie.

Still, despite the mishaps, screens continue to light up in kitchens. Because today, no one really cooks alone. Every dish posted, liked, or commented on becomes a shared moment. Cooking, once passed down in private, is now put on display. And when it comes to both taste and presentation, everyone adds their personal touch.

Now it’s your turn !!!
What recipe have you learned (or totally failed) thanks to social media? 👉 Share your stories with us in the comments 😊