Nigerian cuisine

Nigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of Native African ethnic groups that comprises Nigeria. Like other West African cuisines, it uses spices and herbs with palm oil or groundnut oil to create deeply flavored sauces and soups.

Nigerian feasts can be colourful and lavish, while aromatic market and roadside snacks cooked on barbecues or fried in oil are in abundance and varied. Bushmeat is also consumed in Nigeria. The brush-tailed porcupine and cane rats are the most popular bushmeat species in Nigeria.

Tropical fruits such as watermelon, pineapple, coconut, banana, orange and mango are mostly consumed in Nigeria.

Nigerian cuisine, like many West African cuisines, is known for being savoury and spicy.

Rice-based

 * Coconut rice is rice made with coconut milk, and other spices.
 * Jollof rice is a rice dish made with pureed tomato and Scotch bonnet-based sauce.
 * Ofada rice is a popular South West Nigerian rice variety. It is eaten with Ayamase or Ofada sauce.
 * Fried rice is a rich dish made with mixed vegetables (cabbage, carrots, green peas), meat, poultry or prawns.
 * Pate is made with ground dry corn, rice or acha. Mostly combined with vegetables (spinach), tomatoes, onions, peppers, garden eggs (eggplants), locust beans, groundnuts, biscuit bones and minced meat are common in northwestern Nigeria, like Kano, Kaduna, Nassarawa and Plateau.
 * Tuwo masara is a corn-flour dish eaten in Northern Nigeria.
 * Tuwo shinkafa, thick rice pudding usually eaten with miyan kuka (a thick soup) and goat meat stew or miyan taushe, a pumpkin stew made with spinach, meat (usually goat or mutton) and smoked fish. It is primarily served in the northern part of the country.
 * White rice—White rice and local rice is usually served with stews, pepper soup and sauces. It is widely served with a thick tomato and pepper-based stew.
 * Banga rice is a traditional Nigerian rice recipe made from palm nut and rice. It is very common in the southern (Delta State) and eastern parts of the country.
 * Palm-oil rice is often referred to as 'local rice' or 'yellow rice'; usually prepared with fresh palm oil, assorted fish (dried fish and smoked fish), garnished with local spices like locust beans ('okpeyi' or 'dawa dawa'), onions and pepper. It could be made as jollof or as white rice with the palm oil stew as a separate sauce.
 * Curried rice is rice made with fresh turmeric or curry powder, onions, salt and seasoning to taste and then vegetable sauce is made to go along with it.
 * Cooked masa.jpg is made from 'tuwo shinkafa' rice that is blended after being destoned (onions and other spices are put in it). Then, yeast is added, and it is allowed to rise. It is later cooked with low heat in a custom-made masa pot.
 * Danbu rice is also a type of rice usually made in the North. It used to be ground and mixed with pepper.
 * Groundnut oil rice is prepared with groundnut oil, using fish (dry or fresh), fresh tomatoes, onions, fresh pepper and a lot of crayfish.

Bean-based

 * Akara, also known as 'bean cake', is a type of fritter made from beans.
 * Gbegiri, a bean-based soup from Southwestern Nigeria.
 * Abula soup.
 * Moi moi, a Southwestern Nigerian steamed bean pudding made from a mixture of washed and peeled black-eyed beans, blended together with onions and fresh ground red peppers.
 * Ekuru, a steamed savoury bean dish from the Southwestern Nigeria.
 * Ewa aganyin, boiled beans eaten with a pepper sauce from Southwest Nigeria.
 * Okpa, a common breakfast food made from Bambara nut flour in Southeastern Nigeria.
 * Adalu, a bean and sweet corn pottage from Southwest Nigeria.

Corn-based

 * Egbo, a Yoruba speciality that can be eaten alone with pepper sauce or paired with beans.

Meat
Meat is used in most Nigerian dishes.


 * Suya, from the north of Nigeria, is a grilled meat coated with ground chili pepper, peanut powder, and other local spices. It is prepared in a barbecue-style using a stick. This is one of the most famous Nigerian delicacies and can be found within easy reach all over the country.
 * Tsire refers specifically to meat which has a generous coating of peanut/chili powder. The meat may or may not be on a skewer.
 * Kilishi is similar to beef jerky. It is made from meat that has been cut into very thin slices, which are then spread out to dry. A preparation of chili pepper, spices and local herbs is then prepared into a paste which is lightly brushed on both sides. This is then briefly grilled.
 * Balangu refers to meat that has been grilled over wood/coal fire. Specifically, no seasoning is applied to bring out the natural flavour of the particular type of meat which may be Goat, mutton or beef. Salt and spices can be added later according to taste.
 * Nkwobi consists of cooked cow legs smothered in a thick, spicy palm oil sauce, a classic dish originating from the southeast of Nigeria.
 * Asun is spicy roasted goat chopped into bite-sized pieces, with bold aromatic flavors from onions, habanero, Garlic and bell peppers. Native to the Yoruba people of Ondo South Western Nigeria.
 * Salted dried ram meat is called Eran Oniyo in Yoruba language. Rice Risotto with Salted Sun-Dried Ram Meat is a dish common to Muslims in Lagos State. It is usually prepared with ram meat used for the Eid-el Kabir festival. Prime cuts from the ram meat like the thigh, ribs and some fatty parts are washed in lime water to drain out blood, the meat is covered in salt and sun-dried for a few days.

Soups and stews

 * Banga soup is made from palm nuts and is eaten primarily in the south and mid-western parts of Nigeria. It is also known as Atama soup by the Cross River and Akwa Ibom indigenes. This soup is usually made through extracting the juice from the palm nuts. It’s usually served with any kind of swallow (garri, semo and pounded yam).
 * Ofe akwu is also made from palm nuts, but prepared more like a stew meant to be eaten with rice.
 * Miyan kuka, very common among the Hausa people, it is made from powdered baobab leaves and dried okra.
 * Miyan yakuwa is a famous Hausa soup.
 * Ewedu soup, is popular amongst the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria, Ewedu soup is usually prepared with jute leaves and there are cooked by pureeing the leaves with a blender or special broom.
 * Ila alasepo, an Okro soup dish of the Yoruba people. It usually has a lot of meat, fish and seafood varieties.
 * Eka soup (beniseed soup) is a popular dish among the Idomas of Benue State, the Ogojas in Cross River and the Ibirams of Kogi State. Eka is a blend of sesame seeds, roasted groundnut and palm kernel puree.
 * Margi special is common in the northeastern part of Nigeria, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The soup comes from the Margi people who live in riverine areas. It is prepared with fresh fish of any kind and African soreal (yakuwa in Hausa or omblanji in Margi).
 * Edikang-ikong is a vegetable soup made from ugu (pumpkin) leaves and waterleaf which originated from the Annang, Ibibio and Efik people.
 * Gbegiri is a bean-based stew from southwest Nigeria.
 * Orunla is a soup made from dried okra, roughly chopped and sun-dried. It is common among the Yorubas.
 * Pepper soup is a light soup made from a mix of meat and fish with herbs and spices. This is one of the few soups in Nigerian cuisine that can be eaten alone and is not used as a sauce for a carbohydrate main dish such as fufu or pounded yam. It can also be made with nutmeg and chili peppers. It can be garnished with fish, beef, goat meat or chicken. Pepper soup is sometimes an appetizer at official gatherings; however, it is consumed also in the evening at pubs and social gatherings.
 * Afang is a vegetable soup which originated with the Efik people, Ibibio people and Ananng people in southeast Nigeria. It is prepared with waterleaf, afang (wild spinach), kpomo, periwinkles and lots of assorted meat and fish.
 * Corn soup, also known locally as omi ukpoka, is made with grounded dry corn and blended with smoked fish. It is a common food of the Afemai, especially people from Agenebode in northern Edo state.
 * Okro soup (or okoroenyeribe or draw soup) is made from okra and cooked until there are thicken.
 * Efo riro, a stew made from leafy vegetables, pepper, palm oil and other ingredients, It is common amongst the Yorubas.
 * Egusi soup is thickened with grounded melon seeds and contains leafy vegetables, seasonings, and meat. It is often eaten with dishes like amala, pounded yam (iyan), fufu, etc.
 * Miyan taushe, a great blend of groundnut and pumpkin leaves spiced with pepper, dawadawa or iru, & bouillon cubes. It is enjoyed best with tuwo shinkafa.
 * Maafe, a stew made with groundnuts (peanuts), tomatoes and onions as the base, can be infinitely varied with chicken, beef or fish and different leafy vegetables for subtle flavours. Groundnut stew is made with ground dry groundnuts and vegetables, fish, meat, local seasoning and palm oil by the Etsakor people in Edo state.
 * Buka stew, is a Yoruba stew made from goat, beef or chicken and it’s mainly cooked with tomatoes, onions, and pepper.
 * Ogbono soup is made with grounded ogbono seeds, with leafy greens, other vegetables, seasonings, and meat. Ogbono is also eaten with many dishes similar to pounded yam, amala, fufu, etc.
 * White soup, also called ofe nsala, made with utazi leaves.
 * Bitterleaf soup (ofe onugbu) is made with cocoyam, palm oil, assorted fish and meat and seasonings.
 * Ofada stew (Ayamase) is a palm-oil-based stew native to the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria. It is made with palm oil, unripe pepper and tomatoes, beef, tripe, cow skin and locust beans. It is a stew for local ofada rice, also referred to as brown rice, usually served in 'ewe' (flat, broad leaves).
 * Efo Elegusi is a Yoruba soup made with a mix of Efo and Egusi, its also just called Egusi.
 * Egusi with Ewedu, this is a soup made from Egusi cooked with Ewedu.
 * Groundnut soup (peanut soup) is made from fresh peanut ground to paste, (though some may fry the peanut), fried in palm oil with onions and then boiled in stock,
 * Ora (Oha) soup is made with cocoyam that used to be cooked and pounded, palm oil and seasonings
 * Edo esan (black soup)
 * Ofe owerri is prepared with four kinds of vegetable leaves; okazi, ugu, uziza and oha leaves. A particular species of cocoyam is used as a thickener to make the soup thick. This vegetable soup is common among the igbos of eastern Nigeria. 'Ofe' means soup in igbo language and 'Owerri' is the capital city of Imo state in eastern Nigeria.
 * Achara soup, mostly found in Abia State- Ndiwo, Ngwa, Umuahia, Itumbauzo.
 * Okazi soup, is made with wild spinach, achi (thickener), assorted meat and fish.
 * Egg soup, is made with eggs, scent leaves, fresh pepper and palm oil.

Side dishes

 * Dodo is a side dish of plantains fried in vegetable or palm oil, preferably ripe plantain.
 * Gizdodo is a combination of fried Dodo and grilled gizzard.
 * Peppered gizzard, Pomo (Yoruba word for Cow Skin), Shaki (Yoruba Word for Tripe)
 * Funkaso, millet pancakes.
 * Masa, fermented corn ground into a thick paste, fried then sprinkled with sugar. It is an acquired taste. An alternative form made from very soft plantain, is mashed into a paste, mixed with dried black pepper, fried then sprinkled with sugar.

Puddings, pastes and porridges

 * Moin moin is a savoury Yoruba steamed bean pudding made from a mixture of peeled black-eyed peas and wrapped in a leaf (like a banana leaf).
 * Plantain pudding commonly known as okpo ogede.
 * Corn pudding locally known as okpo oka.
 * Rice pudding made from blended 'tuwon rice' and poured into boiling water. It should be stirred continuously on a moderate fire until it is ready.
 * Pap or 'akamu' or 'ogi' made from guinea corn, millet or corn.
 * Tapioca pudding is made from cassava extract, it is similar to pap due to its physical appearance and the way it is prepared.
 * Ekpang nkukwo, is of freshly blended water yam and cocoyam, wrapped in fresh cocoyam leaves, cooking with periwinkles, assorted fish and meat, crayfish, palm oil and other spices. This dish is common with the Efik and Ibibio people in the Southern part of Nigeria.

Yam-based

 * Iyan, called pounded yam in English, is similar to mashed potatoes but all mashed and completely smooth with no yam chunks left. And eaten with soups
 * Amala (or aririguzofranca) is a thick paste made from yam, which has been peeled, cleaned, dried and dark (brown) in colour.
 * Poundo is a processed yam flour used to make a type of Okele similar to pounded yam/Iyan.
 * Yam pottage is a local home-made meal popular in the eastern and southern parts of Nigeria. It is usually called Asaro by the Yorubas, a name which has been adopted generally in most parts of the country. Method of preparation differs based on taste, preference and affordability but it is basically made by boiling and lightly mashing yam in rich tomato, chili and big red pepper sauce with palm oil. Vegetable oil is sometimes used in the absence of palm oil. It can be garnished with fish, meat or crayfish as desired.
 * Ebiripo is most common amongst the Yoruba Remo people in South-West Nigeria. It is made by grating coco-yam to a paste, salt and groundnut oil is then added to taste and filled in leaves made into scoops before boiling, and usually eaten with soups like efo riro.
 * Ikokore, also known as ifokore, is a popular Yoruba dish in the Ijebu areas of South-West Nigeria. It is similar to asaro in preparation but water yam (Dioscorea alata) is used instead of yam. The water yam (called isu ewura in Yoruba language) is grated and some bits left in ungrated and cooked with a mixture of pepper, palm oil, fish and condiments.
 * Beans and yam. Beans is cooked with spices and palm oil and yam added towards the end of the dish
 * Fried yam. Yam is cut into smaller pieces and fried in vegetaable oil. The yam can be pre-boiled before frying to have a different texture.

Cassava-based

 * Eba, also called garri, is a very thick paste that is either rolled into balls or served like amala, and made from cassava (manioc).
 * Fufu and light soup in asanka.jpgFufu, a staple dish in Nigeria and most of West Africa.
 * Lafun is basically like amala but much lighter in colour, and made from cassava. It is not to be confused with iyan; it tastes and smells totally different from the yam-based iyan.

Breakfast

 * Masa (Nigerian food) originated from the north and is eaten both as lunch and breakfast. Rice is soaked and then ground. Yogurt is added, forming a thick paste, and left to ferment, or yeast and sugar is added to taste. Poured into clay forms and heated from below, a spatula is used to flip over and gouge the masa out of the form. It is traditionally served with miyan taushe (pumpkin stew) or honey.
 * Sinasir is a flat masa, made by simply pouring the prepared rice paste into a frying pan, thus avoiding the need to flip it over as would be necessary with masa. This is a predominantly Hausa food.
 * Alkubus is Hausa-Fulani steamed bread made from wheat, flour, yeast and water, put in moulds and steamed. It is served with miyan taushe.
 * Yam with red stew or scrambled eggs with diced tomato and onion.
 * Eko also known as agidi, is a popular breakfast meal in Nigeria. It is served in combination with other foods such as Akara (fried bean cake), beans, pepper soup, and other soups.
 * Ogi or akamu is corn pudding common in Nigeria, called ogi by the Yoruba and akamu by the Igbo. Eaten with bread, akara or beans
 * Egbo is a food made from corn.
 * Mosa is a Yoruba food made from very ripe plantains, eggs, peppers and spices.

Snacks

 * Chin chin are fried cookie strips made from flour, eggs and butter.
 * Puff-puff, fried sweet dough balls.
 * Buns, another fried sweet dough ball snack. However, it does not include yeast.
 * Akara is a beignet from a batter based on black-eyed peas. It is sometimes served for breakfast.
 * Alkaki (doughnuts) made from wheat and sugar paste.
 * Kuli-kuli, made from ground peanuts.
 * Kokoro is a fried dry snack made from corn and garri (cassava). There are two different kinds.
 * Meat pie, beef and vegetables enclosed in a pastry case.
 * Fish pie, fish and vegetables enclosed in a pastry case.
 * Wara, is a Yoruba soft cottage cheese made from fresh cow milk.
 * Awara or beske is the local name for tofu amongst Yoruba-speaking people.
 * Plantain chips are a crunchy, salty or sweet Nigerian snack made with either ripe or unripe plantains fried in vegetable oil.
 * Potato chips
 * Coconut candy
 * Aadun is made from cornflour, chilli pepper and palm oil
 * Dundu, is a Yoruba meal of roasted or deep-fried slices of yam. It may be fried in palm oil or vegetable oil; water is added to soften the yam as it cooks. Dundu is usually eaten with a sauce made of groundnut or palm oil, tomatoes, chili peppers and seasoning.
 * Ojojo is a Yoruba beignet made from grated/ground water yam (Dioscorea alata). Peppers, onions and seasoning are mixed with the grated water yam before being deep-fried. Water yam is known as isu ewura in South West Nigeria.
 * Samosas
 * Spring rolls
 * Balewa is a type of hard candy sweet delicacy

Beverages

 * Kunu is a very popular drink made of either millet, sorghum or maize.
 * Fura is a popular drink, especially across northern Nigeria, made of cooked then pounded millet or sorghum with a little cow's milk.
 * Palm wine, which may be distilled into ogogoro.
 * Zobo (hibiscus leaf) is a drink made of roselle juice (the Yorubas call the white variety isapa).
 * Soya bean milk is a drink made from soaked, ground, and sieved soya bean.