Have you been admiring taking your taste buds on a spectacular trip? I know we all say “Yes,” then plan and visit Nigeria. Besides, whether you’re curious about tasting West African dishes or preferably want to take a break from your normal weeknight dinner routine, this article about top local foods in Nigeria is meant for you.
In your trip to Nigeria, the most fun activity or idea to include among your itinerary is trying out their delicious local delicacies. From the west, east, south, and north to almost every corner in Nigeria, you will find many flavorful dishes. Generally, Nigerian local foods are an unforgettable experience to many.
Pepper soup, pounded yams, beef stew, Jollof rice, and many other related delicious foods are among the enjoyable tastes you will meet here in Nigeria. However, I have made it easy for you with a list of the best and much-loved dishes in Nigeria.
Below is a comprehensive guide of local foods in Nigeria, both easy on pocket and palate, that you need to try.
Efo Riro
Efo Riro is among the most favorite and healthy local foods in Nigeria. The food is prepared with a mix of meat like offal, smoked fish, chicken, and green pumpkin leaves. Besides, this type of food is a Yoruba delicacy and originated from western Nigeria. Green vegetables such as pumpkin or water leaves are also utilized; spinach is sometimes added to these ingredients.
Garri
You will find many Nigerians consuming Garri in almost every corner. This is a popular food made from cassava tubers grated and peeled thoroughly to a fine mash. Moreso, they are fermented in a very particular and tasteful way.
Once the fermentation process is over, the mash is later roasted or preferably dried to receive the final product. Additionally, it is mixed with warm water to make Eba and served with stew or soup or rather eaten as a snack.
Pounded Yam
Once you try pounded Yam, you will always want to eat it anytime you visit Lagos. This food is among the common dishes in Nigeria and served with different soups like Ogbono, Okro soup, Egusi, or vegetables. Besides, yams in Nigeria are widely accessible; they are boiled and later pounded to a smooth and delicious mash.
Admirably, here in Nigeria, the pounded Yam is prepared uniquely; they use the yam flour, which gives it the best taste you could ever imagine. However, it is optional you can consume the pounded Yam cooked or in any way you wish.
Jollof Rice
The first time I tasted Jollof rice in Nigeria was my first yummiest dish ever. The main ingredients used to prepare Jollof rice are onions, chilies, tomatoes, rice, and other related spices. Jollof rice is served with desired protein or vegetables.
Moi Moi
Moi Moi will significantly blow your palate buds here in Nigeria. It is among the local good and healthy food to eat. In essence, this earned its popularity because of its exceptional taste. It is prepared from the processed beans; however, the beans are not fried, similar to Akara but boiled.
The food is mostly garnished with eggs, fish, or crayfish. Besides, the main ingredients in Moi Moi are pepper, tomatoes, salt, oil, and other related spices. However, someone can eat it alone or preferably with pap, soaked Garri, or custard, depending on your favorite taste.
Ogbono soup
Ogbono soup is made using ground ogbono seeds and also with considerable local variation. Essentially Ogbono seeds are utilized as an effective thickener and provide the soup with attractive brownish coloration.
Apart from the seeds, palm oil, and water, it also contains meat, seasonings like leafy vegetables, chili pepper, and other related vegetables. The typical leaf vegetables embrace celosia and bitter leaf. Furthermore, the other typical vegetables included are okra and tomatoes.
Some individuals usually add some iru and onions once served this type of food. A delicious soup and fermented locust beans, rice, or pounded Yam is served with it. I am salivating already. Please don’t hesitate to try Ogbono soup.
Kosai/Akara
Don’t worry about breakfast while in Nigeria since we got you covered with Akara. Kosai/Akara is a fried been cake very healthy and delicious. In Northern Nigeria it is known as Kosai, while in the south, they call it Akara. Besides, you will get it cheap from roadside local food vendors.
Afang Soup
This soup is one of the best. Afang is prepared using water leaves, local Afang leaves, dried meat, fish, snails, and seasonings. Regardless Afang soup originating from the south-south in Nigeria, this soup is now enjoyed as local food across Nigerian borders. This meal takes around one hour to prepare, and it is regularly served with fufu, pounded Yam, and Gari.
Suya
Suya is nicely cut beef which is spiced and later grilled over an open flame. Suya is served with fresh tomatoes, onions, and cabbage. Besides, this type of food is wrapped using clean aluminum foils and consumed during the evening. An exceptional kind of spice called Yaji is usually added to the beef before grilling to make it yummier.
Pepper soup
Pepper’s soul is best of all. This type of food is popularly eaten in every part of Nigeria. It is prepared with chicken, fresh fish, beef, or turkey.
In essence, this is a very delicious and healthy soup since it is prepared with natural spices. One-touch of pepper soup on your tongue will leave an unforgettable taste, keeping someone asking for more. You will love how the soup is much delightful, spicy, and delivered with a lovely aroma.
Amala and Ewedu
Amala is a very delicious food associated mostly with Yoruba people. This type of food is prepared from the Jute plant’s natural leaves; the leaves are suitably blended to mucilaginous form like okra soup. Generally, this soup is garnished with a lot of Ponmo (cow-skin) and meat and served with Amala. Furthermore, a tomato-pepper sauce is added to accommodate for its slight bitterness possessed from Jute plant leaves.
