With over 250 ethnic groups spread across 36 states, Nigeria is a nation rich in cultural diversity. This incredible variety is reflected in the country’s cuisine as well. Nigerian foods offer a delicious adventure with distinct flavours and specialities in each region. While basic starchy staples like pounded yam, garri, rice or fufu act as the foundation, the soups, stews, proteins and produce utilized can differ quite significantly depending on the part of Nigeria. In this article, I highlight some of these popular Nigerian foods.
Read more about Food
The North
Tuwo Shinkafa – Wikipedia
In Nigeria’s northern territories, dishes heavily feature dried red chillies, groundnut, and the iconic West African spice blend baharat. The arid climate makes farmer-herder cultures more common, resulting in hearty meals with abundant meat and dairy. Staple Northern dishes include tuwo shinkafa (thick rice pudding) dipped in tasty miyan kuka (baobab soup), as well as smoky, grilled suya kebabs made from spicy beef, lamb or chicken. Don’t miss thick, peanut-based groundnut soup or wake cakes made from fermented rice dough.
The West
Efo Riro – Food.com
Jollof rules supreme in Western Nigeria. This beloved tomato-based rice dish is almost a symbol of national cuisine. However, each region puts its spin on Jollof’s ingredient-blend of tomatoes, onions, chilli peppers, spices and long-grain rice. Other iconic Western staples include iyan (pounded yam) smothered in aromatic ewedu (jute leaf) soup or rich efo riro made with spinach and assorted proteins like smoked fish, beef and chicken. Eba (garri pudding) and dough balls called amala are popular carb bases for savoury stews too.
Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
The East
Ogbono – 9jafoodie
Known as one of Nigeria’s “Soup Territories,” Eastern cuisine features countless flavourful varieties of thin, drawing soups or rich, highly-spiced stews. Oha, ogbono, nsala, and ofe akwu are just a few examples. These generous soups are served atop or pounded into stretchy, sticky fufu dough made from fermented cassava flour. Signature dishes also include jollof rice cooked in the East’s unique ukpaka style and Abakaliki sweet rice. Specialities like roasted grasshoppers are prized snacks too!
The South
Fisherman’s Soup – SisiYemmieTV
The South is famous for its seafood-centric cuisine given its coastal geography and riverside communities. Must-try South region specialities revolve around fish, shellfish and other bounties from the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll find flavourful palm nut and herb-based soups and stews like edikaikong, callaloo and fisherman’s soup loaded with croakers, shellfish and more. Mainstay fufu, garri and eba sop up those tasty broths. Delta State’s iconic banga offers a mouthwatering blend of fermented palm fruit, nuts and vegetables.
Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer bold spice blends, simmered greens, fresh fish or herby broths, Nigerian foods showcase incredible regional diversity in their traditional dishes. Every bite offers a mouthwatering taste of the nation’s multicultural blend of people and culinary influences. From Jollof and suya up north to banga and peppersoup down south, grabbing a tour through all the local specialities is a delicious way to experience the many flavours of Nigeria. Your taste buds will savour this delectable cross-country adventure!
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
Chidiogo Shalom Akaelu holds a degree in English and Literary Studies, from the University of Nigeria. She is a freelance writer, editor and founder of Loana Press, a budding online publishing outlet.
Purchasing fresh food in bulk in Nigeria is often challenging and time-intensive, particularly in densely populated cities like Lagos, where a single shopping trip can take an entire day. Shoppers must account for hours in traffic and the crowded atmosphere of open markets. PricePally addresses these challenges by simplifying the food supply chain, offering … Continue reading PricePally: Nigeria’s Food E-commerce Platform for Bulk Food Buying
Forward Fooding launched the FoodTech 500, inspired by the Fortune 500, aimed at raising the public profile of FoodTech companies and giving them visibility alongside showcasing their moves towards tackling the challenges faced by the global food system. Read more about Opportunities The FoodTech 500 program is the world’s “first definitive list of the … Continue reading Apply for the FoodTech 500 Program 2024 for AgriFoodTech Companies
Healthy snacking is important to maintain a balanced diet, and Nigeria’s rich variety of foods and fruits offers delicious options. Whether you’re looking for a quick energy boost or trying to curb hunger between meals, these Nigerian-inspired healthy snacking ideas will keep you satisfied and nourished. In this article, we’ll explore some tasty and … Continue reading Healthy Snacking Ideas with Nigerian Foods and Fruits
The ketogenic diet has gained a lot of attention in recent years as a potential way to lose weight and improve health. But what exactly is the ketogenic diet, and is it a good choice for you? Let’s explore the details and help you understand if this eating plan might be a good fit … Continue reading The Ketogenic Diet: Is It Right for You?
