Mangú Dominicano (Dominican Mashed Plantains) with Los Tres Golpes

Mangú is a beloved Dominican dish made from boiled green plantains, mashed until smooth and mixed with butter and the tangy bite of pickled red onions. A staple of Dominican breakfasts, this dish has deep roots in the island's history, dating back to the influence of West African culinary traditions. It closely resembles fufu, a dish made by boiling and mashing starchy vegetables like yams or plantains, which was brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans.

But there's also a popular legend about how Mangú got its name. During the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916-1924), American soldiers were served mashed plantains for the first time. After tasting it, one of them reportedly exclaimed, "Man, good!" The phrase stuck, and over time, locals adapted it into "Mangú." While the true origin is likely African, the story has become part of the dish’s folklore.

When served with Los Tres Golpes, mangú transforms into the ultimate Dominican breakfast. Los Tres Golpes (The Three Hits) refers to the three essential sides that accompany mangú:

1. Fried cheese (queso frito)
2. Fried Dominican salami (salami frito)
3. Fried eggs (huevos fritos) (not included in this recipe, but feel free to add them!)

Mangú is the first and most important golpe, forming the hearty base of the meal. The combination of creamy plantains, crispy cheese, and savory salami creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures—making it an undisputed breakfast favorite across the Dominican Republic.

Ingredients:

For the Mangú:

• 3 green plantains
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1½ tbsp white vinegar
• Salt to taste
• Water (for boiling)

For Los Tres Golpes (minus the eggs, but you can add them!)

• 4 slices of frying cheese (Dominican cheese is nearly impossible to find in Japan, but we used Halloumi Cheese, which works well and can be found at Nissin Supermarket and Kyodai Market in Tokyo or KALDI)
• 4 slices of bologna-style sausage (Since Dominican salami is not available in Japan, we used 朝のグルメファミリー ボロニアソーセージ (Asa no Gourmet Family Bologna Sausage) from Ito Ham. ボロニアソーセージ can be found pretty much in any supermarkets at the ham & sausage section in Japan though!)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Pickled Onions

1. Slice the red onion thinly and soak it in 1½ tbsp vinegar with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes.
2. Heat a small pan with a little oil and sauté the onions until soft and translucent. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Plantains

1. Peel and cut the plantains into chunks.
2. Boil them in salted water for about 20-25 minutes or until fork-tender.
3. Once cooked, reserve about ½ cup of the boiling water before draining.
4. Mash the plantains immediately while hot, gradually adding butter and a bit of the reserved water to achieve a smooth consistency.

Step 3: Fry Los Tres Golpes (Cheese & Salami Substitute)

1. In a pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Fry the cheese slices until golden and crispy on both sides (about 1-2 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
3. Fry the sausage slices until slightly crispy, about 1-2 minutes per side.

(If you want to complete the traditional Tres Golpes, you can also fry some eggs to your preferred doneness!)

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

1. Top the mangú with the pickled onions.
2. Arrange the fried cheese and fried sausage around the mangú.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Why is it called Los Tres Golpes?

The name "Tres Golpes" refers to the three signature sides that accompany the mangú—fried cheese, fried salami, and fried eggs. However, Mangú is the first golpe, the foundation of the dish. The term "golpes" (hits) humorously represents the three powerful flavors that "hit" your taste buds with every bite. This hearty combination provides the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an essential part of Dominican cuisine.

Finding Dominican Ingredients in Japan

If you're in Japan, getting authentic Dominican ingredients can be a challenge. Dominican salami is impossible to find, so we substituted it with Bologna sausage which has a similar texture and mild flavor. Frying cheese is also difficult to source, but Halloumi Cheese works well and can be found at Nissin Supermarket or Kyodai Marketin Tokyo. KALDI carries them too depending on the store!

Whether you're trying mangú for the first time or grew up eating it, there's no denying that Mangú con Tres Golpes is a true taste of the Dominican Republic! If you love eggs, go ahead and add them to your plate to complete the full experience.