Cuisine from the 16 countries that make up West Africa is quite varied, but there are common threads that link the dishes together into a must-try. Many dishes start from a base of tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers (yum!) but unique dishes spring forth from every corner of the region, making West African food a must-try! Cuisine from the 16 countries that make up West Africa is quite varied, but there are common threads that link the dishes together into a must-try. Many dishes start from a base of tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers (yum!) but unique dishes spring forth from every corner of the region, making West African food a must-try!