BOMA - The Flavors of Africa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World

If BOMA served only soups, I'd still go there for dinner.

Both times this year (August 2009) there were five soups served each night. The varieties included:

Butternut Squash (both nights)
Chicken Corn Porridge (both nights)
Curried Coconut Seafood Stew (both nights)
Lamb Potpie (1 night only)
She Crab (1 night only)
Chicken Pepper Pot (1 night only)
Lentil and Sausage (1 night only)

Pictured above are two of my favorites, the Chicken Pepper Pot (left) and Chicken Corn Porridge (right).

The Chicken Pepper Pot contains chunks of chicken, mushrooms, red peppers, and greens in a light brown stock with a mildly spicy flavor that reminds me of a Chinese Hot and Sour soup. This is my favorite soup at BOMA.

The Chicken Corn Porridge is a thicker soup, similar to a chowder, again filled with chunks of chicken, corn, onion, red pepper, and potato in a creamy broth. It is only mildly spiced so that the flavor of the chicken and corn is not overwhelmed.

My brother-in-laws favorite soup is the Curried Coconut Seafood Stew. Brimming with mussels, shrimp and scallops in a clear broth, their individual flavors are apparent in every spoonful. The curry and coconut do not overpower the seafood, but instead provide a secondary flavor that makes you want more.

The Butternut Squash and Lamb Pot Pie are both very tasty. The butternut is smooth and creamy and the Lamb pot pie is so rich and hearty the only thing it's missing is the pot pie crust. In both cases, the spicing is light, allowing the flavors of the main ingredients to come through.

The Lentil and Suasage is another hearty soup, but one that I feel could have used a little more seasoning. It tasted more of a plain Lentil soup, not getting much flavor from the sausage, onion ro celeery. If it were prepared with the same seasonings as the Pepper Pot soup, it would have ben much more enjoyable.

Not being a seafood lover, I did not try the She Crab soup, and my brother-in-law was enjoying the Curried Coconut Seafood Stew too much, so I can't offer any opinion other than that while I was ladleing my 2nd or 3rd cup of Pepper Pot soup, I noticed the level in its pot had dropped considerably so others were obviously enjoying the flavorful lump crab meat I could see.

There are a main courses available at, and around, the carving station at BOMA.

The main selection at the carving station is the rotisserie beef, typically available either medium rare, or slightly more well done. Both are flavorful and juicy. I've seen the line to the carving station range from walk-up to ~30 people long, so the beef never has a chance to dry out under the warming lamps.

If you like to add some extra flavor to your beef, in front of the carving station you will find 4 African inspired sauces - Sambal, Boma Mustard, Tamarind BBQ, and Masa Masari (which is noted to contain pecans for those with allergies).



The Sambal (spicy, but not too hot) and Boma Mustard (a honey mustard with a horesradish kick) are my two favorites.

In addition to the rotisserie beef, there is usually a pork selection, pre-cut before you reach the carving station. During both our visits, this was a Braised Pork Shoulder, cubed (previous years have included sliced pork loin, plain and Tamarind crusted). The braised pork was tender and juicy and (although it wasn't necessary) tasted even better with either the Boma Mustard or Tamarind BBQ sauce.



For those who favor fish and fowl., BOMA also offers at least one chicken and one fish course.

As far as I can remember, the fish has always been a Baked Crusted Salmon which my wife enjoys. The crust (the flavor of which varies) keeps the salmon juicy and tender. Als, the spices of the crust do not overpower the taste of the salmon.

The chicken dishes are varied similar to the salmon. For both our visits this was Tamarind BBQ Chicken (wings, legs, breasts, and thighs), although in the past there has been baked chicken flavored/coated with African inspired spices.

In all cases, the beef, pork, chicken, and salmon are all very well prepared (not over-cooked and dry), and never so highly seasoned thta you forget what it is you're eating.

In addition to the fantastic soups, BOMA wide selection of side dishes. These range from a simple Geelry's Rice (basmati rice with cinnamon and raisins) to the more fanciful Tunisian Cous Cous (cous cous with chicken, mushroom, red pepper, onion and corn), Fufu (mashed sweet and white potatoes), or Beef and Lamb Bobotie (an African styled Shepard's Pie).

My favorites are the Potato and Macaroni Salads. What makes them so flavorful is that the mayonaise is seasoned with mustard, tumeric, and vinegar which gievs its smooth tangy-ness I just love.

Other great sides include the Watermelon Salad, Falafel with Hummus, and the African Fruit Fool (a mixture of tropical fruits in a sweet cream sauce).

All great meals end with a memorable dessert, and BOMA is no exception.

In addition to the more basic desserts that you will find at many of the Disney restaurants (fresh baked cookies, fresh fruits, Pineapple Upsidedown Cheesecake, and Fresh Fruit Tarts), there are several desserts that simply set BOMA apart.

My (and everyone in my family's) favorite dessert is the Zebra Domes. The dome consists of a very light Kahlua flavored mousse on top of a thin sponge cake base, all covered with a thin white chocolate/gelatin, striped with chocolate. These are very light and so tasty that after one, you immediately want another (which is why I have two on my plate). If take-out was allowed, I could easily snack on these all night unitl I was absolutely stuffed.

Two more excellent desserts are the Chocolate Mousse Cup and the Kenyan Coffee Tart. The chocolate mousse cup is exactly what is says, chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup, garnished with a chocolate swirl stick. The Kenyan Coffee Tart (center of the plate) is a coffee flavored cream in a chocolate cup, garnished with a coffee bean (I don't drink coffee, but still enjoy the rich flavor of this dessert).

Two more desserts of note are the Banana Bread with Vanilla Sauce, and the Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce. Both sauces are served on the side, so you can add as much, or little, as you like.

Walt Disney World is extremely kid friendly, especially at their restaurants, and BOMA is no exception. If your child has an adventurous palate, go ahead and try the main buffet selections, but for younger kids, there is plenty to choose from.

The Kid's Buffet includes:

Chicken Nuggets - Chicken Wings - French Fries - Macaroni and Cheese (my daughter's favorite) - Pasta (typically penne) with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce (my son's favorite)

The pasta is offered plain, with the meatballs in the tomato sauce next to it.

For the chicken nuggets, if desired, ketchup is available if you ask your server.

Additionally, the children can select from the fresh fruits offered at the main buffet.

Since no buffet is complete without dessert, in addition to the individual serving tarts, and pies, there are several variety of cookies offered. These usually include chocloare chip, sugar, and oatmeal raisin.

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