Top 10 Nigerian Dishes

With over 400 ethnic groups, Nigeria has one of the most abundant culinary traditions in West Africa. Nigerians home and abroad cherish and love their local delicacies. This is why many Nigerians in Diaspora – in Europe and other countries of the world – seek African kitchens whenever they feel the urge to eat so as to have a taste of Nigerian dishes not commonly available to them on normal basis.

To Nigerians there are a number of staple that are just always on the menu when the subject of food is concerned.

Here are Top 10 Nigerian Dishes.

10) Moi Moi

Moi Moi is a Nigerian steam bean pudding which has its origin from South West Nigeria. It can be made with egg, crayfish, corned beef, onions, or sardine to give it that added taste. Moi Moi can be served with other Nigerian dishes or eaten alone as a snack.
 

9) Pepper Soup

Nigerian pepper soup is one of the nation’s favorite dishes. The soup broth is rich with aromatic spices, pepper, ginger, garlic and onions to give it that pleasurable flavor. It can be prepared with a variety of meat, fish or chicken.

8) Suya

Suya is a very popular delicacy in Nigeria. Conventionally eaten in the evenings, this food is made with fish or meat rubbed in spices and then barbequed on a skewer. The spices comprise ginger, peanuts, peppers, dried onions and various stock flavors.

7) Afang Soup

The soup uses local Afang leaves and water leaves together with dried fish, meat and snails for seasoning. Though, it originated in South-Eastern Nigeria Afang soup is now enjoyed across state borders in the country and also in Diaspora. The meal takes about an hour to prepare, and is often served with fufu and Garri.

6) Efo Riro

This is a delicious vegetable stew made using vegetable and meat. it includes a mix of meats like chicken and offal. Efo Riro is a Yoruba delicacy originating from Western Nigeria. Vegetables like water leaves or pumpkin leaves are used in preparing the stew, spinach, can also be added to the ingredients.

5) Akara/Kosai

It is a Nigerian fried bean cake. Its popularity in Nigeria is quite obvious as many Nigerians opt for it for their breakfast. In the South it is known as Akara while in the North it is called Kosai. It can be gotten very cheap from road side food vendors. It can also be prepared at home for family and friends.

4) Jollof Rice

This colorful delicacy is food to many West African Countries, not just perculiar to Nigeria.

Ingredients of Jollof rice include rice, onions, tomatoes, chilies, peas and a variety of spices. It can be served with vegetables and desired meat, chicken or fish. Jollof rice is commonly served on special occasions and social events.

3) Pounded Yam

Pounded yam is a sought after delicacy among many Nigerians. It is accompanied with various kinds of soups such as okro, ewedu, egusi, ogbono, etc. Pounded yam can be made by boiling raw yams and then pounding it into dough-like mass or mixing hot water with yam powder. It requires considerable experience in its preparation. It’s presence in many special occasions cannot be overemphasized.

2) Egusi Soup

This soup is widely consumed in Nigeria. Ingredients used in preparing the soup include melon seeds, red or any desired meat, sea food, fermented beans, a variety of vegetables and onions. Egusi soup can be served alongside Garri, Pounded yam and fufu.

1) Garri

This is uncontestably the king of all Nigerian dishes. Garri is a household name in almost all Nigerian homes. There is a popular joke in Nigeria that, though Garri does no advert, it sells more than food products that do adverts. It is prepared from cassava tubers that have been fermented, but the tubers must undergo peeling, washing and grating into a mash prior to being fermented. The product gotten from this is then roasted and pounded to form fine flour. Garri can be served with almost all kinds of stews and soups. It can also be eaten with beans or as a snack.