The Canon

Koklo Meme

Koklo Méméee

Also: Togolese grilled chicken, Koklo mèmè

Togolese street-style grilled chicken marinated in a pungent paste of shallots, garlic and chili, cooked over charcoal.

Identity criteria

  1. 1Whole or jointed chicken, grilled over open charcoal
  2. 2Marinated/rubbed with a paste of shallot (or onion), garlic and hot chili
  3. 3Smoky char from live fire is essential
  4. 4A street-food preparation eaten hot off the grill
  5. 5Defined by its pungent aromatic rub rather than a sauce

Components

Protein

ChickenessentialWhole or in pieces

Aromatics

Shallots / onionessentialBase of the pungent marinade

Garlicessential

Fat

OiloptionalCarries the marinade and bastes during grilling

Seasoning

Hot chiliessentialBrings the heat that defines it

Ginger / bouillon / spicesoptional

Technique

Charcoal grilling
Imparts the smoke and char central to the dish's identity
Aromatic marinating
Penetrates the meat with the signature shallot-garlic-chili pungency

Form & serving

Served
Hot off the grill, often with a chili condiment on the side
Temperature
hot
Portion
pieces shared or per person
Pairs with
raw onion and chili relish · ablo / grilled plantain · rice

Character

Flavour

smokyspicysavorypungentgarlicky

Texture

charred crisp skin, juicy meat

Eaten

A Togolese street and gathering food, grilled to order at roadside stalls and family cookouts.

When

all-year

Variations & related

Regional variations

  • Whole-bird · Togo

    Spatchcocked whole chicken over coals

  • Piece-grilled · Lomé street stalls

    Cut into pieces for individual sale

Related dishes

  • sibling Poulet braisé

    Other West African grilled/braised chicken styles

  • pairs-with Ablo

    Steamed corn cake often eaten alongside

Substitutions

  • Shallots → Onionadmissible

    Common everyday substitution in the rub

  • Charcoal grilling → Oven roastinginadmissible

    Loses the smoke and char that define koklo meme

Common mistakes

  • Grilling too fast over high flame, charring the outside while the inside stays raw
  • Skimping on the shallot-garlic-chili rub, leaving it bland
  • Using an oven and losing the charcoal smoke

Provenance

A Togolese (Ewe) grilled-chicken specialty sold by street vendors, especially in and around Lomé.

References

  1. 1.Togolese and West African street-food references

Confidence: medium