Chop bar

A chop bar is a traditional eatery in Ghana[1][2] mostly located in the country's south.[3][4] In Ghanaian pidgin, to chop, far from cutting, means to eat. It may also mean, in reference to money, to spend or squander. In other words, a chop bar is a place where we �chop� [i.e. eat]. And so from this evolved what I think is an important cultural icon of this country, the same way as burger bars are American and fish and chips shops are British. Nigeria even has its popular �suya� meat joints, replete with local drinks.Meals are served in local earthenware bowls and foods are usually eaten at the premises.[5] Most of these bars are stocked with local alcoholic drinks with few foreign drinks available. It is a cultural icon of Ghana,[6] and is a favourite of the locals.[7][8][9]

An example of foods that can be found in a chop bar
A sign board of a chop bar
Palm nut soup in a chop bar

Etymology

The term 'chop' is derived from 'eat' in Ghanaian pidjin or cut into pieces[6] in a local context.[7] Chop bars mostly sell indigenous Ghanaian foods like fufu, banku, konkonte, and omotuo (rice balls) with different kinds of soup.

See also
Banku seller

References
  1. Ferris, R. S. B. (1998). Postharvest Technology and Commodity Marketing: Proceedings of a Postharvest Conference, 2[9] Nov to 1 Dec 1995, Accra, Ghana. IITA. ISBN 9789781311116.
  2. Yankah, Kwesi (1990). Woes of a Kwatriot: Reflections on the Ghanaian Situation. Woeli Publishing Services. ISBN 9789964904258.
  3. "Chop bar operators urged to register and collect VAT". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  4. "Let's Go Eating At A Tema Chop Bar". Modern Ghana. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  5. Hugon, Philippe; Farrugia, Caroline (1989). The Informal Sector: Women and Development Planning in Africa. Division of Studies for Development, Unesco.
  6. Online, Peace FM. "It's Easy For A Foreigner To Be Confused By The Words 'CHOP BAR'". www.peacefmonline.com. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  7. "The Wonderful Ghanaian CHOP BAR Experience". GhanaCelebrities.Com. 2014-09-25. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  8. Frimpon, Kwame (June 2010). The Boy in the Oversized Smock: School Memories in Living Color. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781450077590.
  9. King, L. K.; Awumbila, B.; Canacoo, E. A.; Ofosu-Amaah, S. (2000-07-21). "An assessment of the safety of street foods in the Ga district, of Ghana; implications for the spread of zoonoses". Acta Tropica. 76 (1): 39–43. doi:10.1016/S0001-706X(00)00087-5. ISSN 0001-706X. PMID 10913764.


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