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  • Top 20 Nigerian Foods That Will Blow Your Taste Buds

Top 20 Nigerian Foods That Will Blow Your Taste Buds

Posted on Apr 16th, 2020
by Emmanuel Oyibo
Categories:
  • African Cuisines
Chicken Jollof

Do you want to take your taste buds on a spectacular journey? If your answer is ‘yes’, then you need to visit Nigeria. As a West African country with a wide variety of ethnic communities, Nigeria has a varied and rich culinary tradition.

They have a myriad delicacies depending on what part of the country a person is. Numerous ingredients and staples cut across state borders as well.

Nigeria has one of the best cuisines in the world, which comprises dishes or food items obtained from the numerous ethnic group that makes up the country. Nigerian cuisine like those of other West African countries such as Ghana and the Benin Republic contains spices and herbs alongside palm or groundnut oil to produce deeply-flavored sauces and soups with an enticing aroma.

Nigerian Market
Food market; Photo credit: Andrew Moore

Rice is consumed in every part of the country either prepared as coconut rice, jollof rice, and fried rice or processed into the traditional dish Pate, which is a combination of rice with ground dry corn, spinach, tomatoes, onion, peppers, garden eggs, locust beans, groundnuts, biscuit bones, and minced meat.

Baked Jollof Rice
Baked Jollof Rice; Photo Credit: Pearlsa

Pate is commonly eaten in northwestern Nigerian states such as Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau. 

Some of the top soups consumed in the various regions of the country include Banga soup, Miyan Kuka, Okro soup, Ewedu soup, Pepper soup, Egusi soup, Afang, and Edikan Ikon soup. The ingredients used to prepare these soups range from local condiments such as processed locust beans (Iru), to vegetables such as spinach, waterleaf, bitter leaf, and pumpkin leaves.

These soups are generally eaten with ‘swallow’, starchy foods such as fufu, Eba, amala, starch, pounded yam, etc. Due to international influence in the Nigerian food culture by Portuguese, British, Dutch, and other European traders in the early days, spices such as Thyme, Curry, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves, Habanero pepper, and Scotch Bonnet are used.

Goat egusi soup with fufu
Goat egusi soup with fufu; Photo credit: H. C.

Nigerian dishes never run out of protein. Various meats such as beef, mutton, and chicken and different species of fish are often used to garnish it to your relish. Also common in the southern regions of the country is the use of seafood such as prawns, periwinkles, clams, snails, and crabs for preparing soups and stews. These dishes will blow your taste buds!

1. Jollof Rice

This is one of the most popular foods in Nigeria and is eaten in every part of the country. You may wonder what it is that can be so highly rated and it will shock you to know that it is simply rice prepared with tomato, onion, pepper, and some other spices.

It is sometimes served with vegetables, chicken or beef and fried fish. This dish is not only popular in Nigeria but also in some other West African countries such as Ghana.

Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice; Photo credit: Skarfmacaronne

2. Garri

This is undoubtedly the popular staple food eaten in Nigeria. It is consumed in the majority of the households in Nigeria, irrespective of region or ethnicity. Garri is prepared from cassava. The cassava is first harvested, peeled, washed, and ground.

The grounded cassava is drained of water, some starch and hydrocyanic acid before it is sieved and fried in a hot pan. The result of this process is called garri. 

Garri
Garri; Photo credit: Joel Abroad

Garri can then be used to prepare Eba simply by adding hot water into a bowl containing the desired quantity of garri granules. Eba can be eaten with any Nigerian soup such as Egusi soup, Okro soup, Banga soup, Afang soup, etc.

3. Pounded Yam

This is a very soft food served in several Nigerian homes and restaurants. It can be enjoyed with a variety of soups such as Ogbono, Egusi, vegetable, and Afang soups. The prepare Pounded Yam, the desired quantity of yam is peeled, washed thoroughly, and boiled to tenderness.

This boiled yam is then pounded in a mortar until a soft mash is formed. The people of Western Nigeria, called the Yorubas, are known to be very fond of pounded yam, but it is also eaten among the Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria.

4. Egusi Soup

This is one of the most popular soups in Nigeria. It is consumed in several homes especially during celebrations. Its unique texture and fluffiness are some of the qualities that make this soup a special Nigerian delicacy.

The Egusi soup is prepared from processed melon seed using ingredients like stockfish, red oil, meat, stockfish, vegetables, seafood, onions, and other condiments. The soup is served with pounded yam, garri, amala, etc.

5. Suya

This is simply nicely cut beef that is spiced and grilled over an open flame. It is served with fresh cabbage, tomatoes, and onions. It is usually wrapped with old newspapers or aluminum foil and eaten during the evening.

This spicy delicacy is a specialty of the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria. A special kind of spice mix called Yaji is usually added to the meat before grilling.

Suya

6. Akara

This is another popular Nigerian delicacy. It is called Kosai in the Northern parts of the country. It is simply bean cake deep fried in either palm or groundnut oil.

The beans are first soaked in water to remove the skin and then ground to a mash that is then deep-fried. Another kind of Akara can also be prepared by frying grated water yam.

Akara
Akara; Photo credit: AkinkuotuFunmi

7. Moi Moi

One of the really good foods you can eat in Nigeria that will blow your taste buds is Moi Moi. It is a very delicious dish that has earned its popularity due to its unique taste. Just like Akara, it is made from processed beans but the difference is that instead of being fried it is boiled.

Moi Moi can be garnished with fish, egg or crayfish. The basic ingredients are oil, tomatoes, pepper, salt and some spices. It can be eaten alone or with soaked garri, pap or custard; just do whatever works for you.

8. Pepper Soup

This is also a very common delicacy eaten in almost every part of the country. It usually contains a plethora of beef, chicken, mutton or fresh fish. It is usually sold at bars where it is accompanied by beer.

It is a very healthy soup due to the natural spices used to prepare it. A touch of pepper soup on the tongue leaves an unforgettable taste that will keep you asking for more. It is very spicy, delicious and comes with a nice aroma.

Pepper Soup
Pepper Soup; Photo credit: bfishadow

9. Nkwobi

This is a very common soup among the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria. Nkwobi is prepared from cow legs and head, and is mostly a traditional dessert, adequately garnished with Utazi leaves and palm oil. It is usually eaten with a glass of palm wine, which is said to be the best drink to flush it down the belly.

10. Ewa Agoyin

This is a delicacy that is very popular among the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. It originated from the Benin Republic. Ewa Agoyin is cooked mashed beans eaten with pepper sauce.

This sauce is made not just from pepper but also involves onion, tomato, crayfish, and some spices. This combination produces a taste that will make you ask for more.

Ewa Agoyin
Ewa Agoyin; Photo credit: https://allnigerianfoods.com/

11. Abacha and Ugba

This is another Nigerian food common among the Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria. It is also called African salad. Abacha is prepared from cassava, which is first properly cooked, then grated before being sun dried. These sundried cassava flakes are then used to prepare Abacha.

This delicious delicacy is made with sliced Ugba (oil bean seed) and some fresh vegetables. It is mostly served with fried fish and ponmo (cowskin) and eaten as a dessert.

12. Amala and Ewedu

Ewedu is a delicious soup mostly associated with the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. It is, however, a very popular delicacy in the country. Ewedu soup is made from the leaves of a Jute plant that is blended into a mucilaginous form such as okra soup.

amala and ewedu
Photo Credit: mycravingsdiary

Ewede soup is usually garnished with a lot of meat and ponmo (cowskin) and best served with Amala. A tomato-pepper sauce can also be added to the Ewedu soup to accommodate for the slight bitterness possessed by the Jute plant leaves.

13. Beans and Plantain

If you visited Nigeria and didn’t taste this food, your trip was incomplete. There is an abundance of beans and plantain in Nigeria, therefore preparing this delicious delicacy is not a problem. 

This combination is made as portage and richly garnished with dried fish and other ingredients that are meant to increase the quality. Beans and plantain is a very special Nigerian delicacy that I believe you would love to taste.

Beans and Plantain
Beans and Plantain; Photo credit: secretlondon123

14. Ogbono Soup

This is another important soup eaten in Nigeria. It is prepared from the seed of bush mango (a wild variant of mango) with oil, meat, stockfish, dried fish and other condiments. Ogbono soup is normally served with Eba, fufu or pounded yam.

The slippery texture of Ogbono soup earned it the sobriquet “draw soup”; this characteristic makes it go well with Eba or fufu balls. It is said to be one of the easiest soups to prepare.

Ogbono Soup
Ogbono Soup; Photo credit: Xtacywura

15. Banga Soup

This is a very popular soup in Nigeria, mostly common in the southern region of the country. This delicious soup is made from ripe palm fruit and adequately garnished with meats, fish and other special ingredients that give it a unique aroma and taste. It is mostly eaten with starch and sometimes white rice.

16. Efo Riro

efo riro
Photo Credit: tasteeshc

This is a very delicious Nigerian soup, which is mostly associated with the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. Efo riro is made with a combination of pumpkin leaves, chicken or smoked fish, and beef. Vegetables like water leaf and spinach can also be used in place of pumpkin leaves.

17. Afang Soup

This is another popular soup in Nigeria. It is mostly associated with the Efik tribe of Southern Nigeria. Afang soup is a vegetable soup prepared with meat, stockfish, and seafood such as prawn and periwinkles.

The leafy vegetable normally used to prepare this delicious soup is the Afang or Okazi leaves. Due to its toughness, the leaf is sliced into very tiny bits. Afang soup is best served with Eba, fufu or pounded yam.

Afang Soup
Afang Soup; Photo credit: Yemisi Ogbe

18. Tuwo Shinkafa

Tuwo Shinkafa
Photo Credit: tina_creations

This a very popular dish is associated with the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria. The word “Tuwo Shinkafa” means “mashed rice”. It is prepared by boiling rice to tenderness and then mashing it into a semi-solid form. It is served with soups like Miyan Kuka, Miyan Kardashi or even bean soup. It is usually eaten as either lunch or dinner.

19. Okpa

This is a very delicious Nigerian delicacy, mostly common in the eastern region of Nigeria especially Enugu State. It is a kind of Moi Moi made from a special kind of beans called Bambara nuts.

Okpa is prepared by grounding Bambara nuts into flour and mixing it with hot water and other necessary ingredients. These ingredients include crayfish, palm oil, fresh pepper, pumpkin vegetables (if desired) and salt. The dish is very nutritious and delicious. 

20. Boiled White Rice

It is a very common practice to cook rice every Sunday in Nigeria. Most families boil white rice, which is eaten with stew or soup richly garnished with fish or meat as the occasion demands. Some of the soups which can be used to eat boiled white rice include Egusi soup, Banga soup, and vegetable soup.

If you ever visit Nigeria, make sure you have a taste of one or more of these wonderful delicacies. You will be glad you did.

Boiled White Rice

Next check out our ranking of the most popular Nigerian desserts.

Related: Most Popular Nigerian Christmas Foods

Top 12 Christmas dishes in Nigeria (sweet and savory)

Emmanuel Oyibo

Emmanuel Oyibo is a Nigerian writer and poet who believes the world can be a better place if we take attitude. Emmanuel is a graduate of Biochemistry and lives in Uyo, Nigeria.

40 Comments Hide Comments

Divine says:
October 29, 2022 at 3:20 pm

I love this foods

Reply
Dubem says:
June 1, 2022 at 5:04 pm

Afang soup for me. Another is Nkwobi and Ofe akwu, though you didn’t include ofe akwu which is different from Banga soup.

Reply
callum s says:
March 17, 2022 at 10:43 pm

I love poumdimg yam

Reply
katalog firm says:
December 13, 2021 at 4:29 am

Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this information.

Reply
Mrs Mordi says:
October 20, 2021 at 11:10 pm

Well thought out list. I was very impressed and proud to be Nigerian.
Well done.

Reply
Naija Chefs says:
September 19, 2021 at 8:54 pm

i must say you did a good job writing this article admin it has made me know some new food and recipes to try out. thank you for this lovely article.

Reply
Moses says:
September 4, 2021 at 5:26 pm

The yam hub in Nigeria is Benue, and pounded yam is a staple of the Tiv people in Benue, Taraba and Nassarawa. Could you expand the pounded yam favour to cover Central Nigeria, Ogoja and Southern Taraba (sometimes considered as part of Central Nigeria though).

Reply
mila says:
August 11, 2022 at 1:10 am

ya wrong, pounded yam is a staple of the idoma people in benue. i did my researches

Muslihu Aliyu says:
June 28, 2021 at 2:41 am

There is Tuwon Masara which is mashed maize and Kunun gyada , Masar Bauchi ( Masa) in the Northern part of the country Nigeria 🇳🇬

Reply
Wunmi says:
June 19, 2021 at 10:16 pm

You could have given edikaikong a chance in your list because every Calabar restaurant sells it as the most popular eastern delicacy also the foods look better in reals than in your pictures.you could change that pls.

Reply
Mee says:
April 4, 2021 at 5:16 am

There is okoho soup a delicacy of the idoma speaking people of North Central Nigeria, that goes with pounded yam. There are other soups like Genge and Beneseed soup from that part.

Reply
Blessed says:
March 27, 2021 at 1:08 am

The most common i think it should be rice

Reply
Enodi says:
March 8, 2021 at 11:36 pm

Good job. Pls change the dish of gari, its rusted

Reply
Vanessa says:
March 7, 2021 at 3:39 am

Some of these are not only Nigerian foods but continential food

Reply
Mimi says:
June 17, 2021 at 3:03 am

Pls Efo riro is made with Efo shoko,Efo tete,Efo ebolo etc

Monalisa says:
February 27, 2021 at 7:02 am

Rice is the most staple food for we Nigerians. Every occasion without rice is a failure
Ricr can be eaten up to 3 or 4 times in a week. And everyone knows in Nigeria homes that rice and stew is a must have on Sunday. When you say copied please be sure to ask. Plus we grow our own rice

Reply
Maga says:
January 17, 2021 at 5:11 pm

Rice is Asian people’s main food, not the black people’s main food. Nigerian and most of black people’s countries copied “rice” from Asian. This food is not original from black land. Main food is identity. So always keep looking for our black people’s main food. Our black people’s main find is our identity.

Reply
Gbenga says:
February 8, 2021 at 12:37 pm

I have not heard so much nonsense in my life

alina says:
February 23, 2021 at 2:40 am

Are you crazy everyone eats rice no one copied asians

jimmy says:
April 7, 2021 at 3:59 am

What nonsense are you saying everyone eats rice. how can people copy Asians. Go educate yourself.

Grace Kraft says:
April 8, 2021 at 3:30 am

Are you an idiot? Spanish people eat rice, Asians eat rice, Africans eat rice. Americans eat rice. Everyone eats rice idiot.

james says:
April 15, 2021 at 12:29 pm

Ignorant much you fool

Guen says:
April 16, 2021 at 4:00 am

hahahahaha sir

Ada says:
May 25, 2021 at 10:15 am

see mumu, abeg go and educate yourself, nobody copied Asian ppl, literally EVERYONE eats rice.

Lisa says:
March 5, 2022 at 9:02 am

Maga rice is grown many countries… Don’t make statements … Facts. But rice is also African. A different species has been cultivated in West Africa for at least 1,500 years. Some West African countries have, since ancient times, been just as rice-oriented as any Asian one.

Victoria says:
January 16, 2021 at 12:36 am

Great list

Reply
Osa says:
April 28, 2021 at 8:16 am

Love this list. Appreciate the initative of it. Can you guys consider expanding the list to like 30, so we can see more local dishes. Like Ipowu soup and other native soups in other regions of Nigeria. You know we are a very very diverse people. Like I said , love your list.

Bella ogbebor Bella says:
August 2, 2021 at 8:49 pm

Nice list… Stop insulting people

Rejoice says:
January 7, 2021 at 3:53 am

Who eats tuwo

Reply
Anony says:
December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am

Some of your pictures don’t visually represent our beloved Nigerian dishes properly. E.g Pictures of Egusi soup, Peppersoup, Suya, Ogbono soup. The worst is Okpa. I’m an original Enugu, ‘wawa’ girl and I would never think of Okpa if shown the picture you used in isolation. Pls you can represent our foods better as foreigners and expatriates read these blogs. Other than that, your list is comprehensive and well-written. Good job!

Reply
Kelechi says:
September 3, 2020 at 12:49 am

Afang is one of the most Nigeria

Reply
ALOKWE JOY CHIDIMMA says:
August 18, 2020 at 11:13 pm

i noticed that while boiling meats you don’t grind the pepper…..why?

Reply
Ma'am says:
March 4, 2022 at 7:48 pm

nomnomnom

Haleems kitchen says:
July 11, 2020 at 10:23 pm

There are more foods from the north such as biski kunun gyada daneake and many more
Nigeria is blessed

Reply
Ijeh eva says:
March 25, 2021 at 7:36 am

I didn’t even see
Owho soup from the urhobo/Benin’s

Joey says:
July 7, 2020 at 3:52 am

This list isn’t complete without Edikaikong soup, it just has to be there.

Reply
Tolu says:
May 31, 2020 at 1:14 am

Why did you not mention the Yoruba origins of some of the foods but you mention Igbo and Hausa origins ?

Reply
Iyke says:
October 11, 2022 at 12:18 am

He did, check Efo Riro, Ewa Agoyin, and Amala and Ewedu. There are other food he didn’t mension the origin as well like Egusi, Ogbono, Pepper Soup. I guess he didn’t mension them because they have become so popular and eaten by most Nigerian.

Charles says:
May 9, 2020 at 7:29 am

Edikiako soup deserves to be among the first five most desired food in Nigeria

Reply
Dubem says:
June 1, 2022 at 5:05 pm

You’re quite correct. That soup and Afang soup are 5 star class of foods.

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