Togo is a country where rice is grown. Quick and easy to cook, rice is a cereal of city dwellers. But in the city of Lomé, local rice is fiercely challenged by Asian, Western and even other African imports. Although local production is insufficient to meet domestic demand, there is still some Lomean’s disaffection with Togolese rice. To understand this situation, qualitative research was conducted targeting the main players in the rice sector and consumers. The results reveal that most Lomean eaters show disinterest in local rice because of its appearance, taste and smell. Also, the adoption of imported scented rice is a way for the middle and upper classes of Lome citizens to enhance their social rank.