Rolex (food)

Ugandan Rolex, commonly referred to as Rolex, is a popular food item in Uganda, combining an egg omelette and vegetables wrapped in a chapati.[1][2] This single-portion dish is quick to prepare, and can be eaten at any time of the day, from breakfast to a lunch or supper meal or snack. The name "rolex" comes from its method of preparation, with the chapati and the omelette rolled together ("rolled eggs").[3][4]

Rolex chapati in Uganda

This idea originated from a chapati seller's creativity in the Busoga region "the basoga" then the idea spread to Wandegeya next to Makerere University in Uganda, fueled by students who needed a quick meal because of time and budget limitations.[4][5]

A "Rolex" merchant frying chapatis

The delicacy soon spread throughout Uganda. It became a popular food choice for its combination of convenience, low cost, and taste.[4][5]

Other terms and variations related to rolex include:

  • "Titanic": two or more chapatis used together in rolling the portion.
  • "Kikomando": the chapati is sliced and mixed with beans. This name is inspired by the commando soldier or unit eating quickly in the field. It can also refer to someone unafraid of getting messy by eating street food with their hands.

Tourism

The rolex, which is sold for as low as USh1,000 ($0.28), is largely consumed in urban areas as a fast food and was very recently promoted by authorities as a global tourist attraction.[6]

Guinness World Record

Guinness World Records certified the world's largest Rolex, which weighed 204.6kg (32st 3lb) and was 2.32m (10ft 6in) long. The ingredients that went into the hefty dish included 1,200 eggs, 90kg of vegetables (onions, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and peppers), 72kg of flour and 40kg of cooking oil.

Ugandan YouTuber Raymond Kahuma mobilized a team of 60 people (chefs and bakers) who spent 14 hours mixing, kneading, chopping and frying the ingredients in a temporary outdoor kitchen in Kampala. The challenge involved physics as well as cooking skills. Moving the dough to the frying plate without it breaking apart proved tricky, as well as getting it onto a weighing machine. Raymond and his team worked for months, preparing for the record.[7]

References
  1. Briggs, Philip (2020). Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide. England: Bradt Travel Guides Ltd. p. 81. ISBN 9781784776428.
  2. Parke, Phoebe (2016-06-05). "Why African chefs think you should eat Rolex". CNN. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. "The Ugandan town selling rolex for 40p". 2015-04-02. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. Muisyo, Victor (August 22, 2015). "In Uganda, 'Rolex' means time for an egg snack". Africanews. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  5. "Rolex – the Favorite Fast Food of Ugandans". Kabiza Wilderness Safaris. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  6. "Uganda's 204kg rolex sets Guinness World Record". The East African. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  7. Onyango, Emmanuel (29 January 2022). "Uganda's huge rolex sets Guinness world record". BBC News Africa. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
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