The Ultimate Guide to Nigerian Food: 20 Must-Try Dishes and Where to Find Them
Nigerian cuisine is a melting pot of flavours and cultures, with a rich history and diverse influences. From spicy jollof rice to savoury suya, there’s no shortage of delicious dishes. In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through Nigeria’s most popular foods and where to find them.
1. Jollof Rice
A classic West African dish made with one-pot rice, tomatoes, and spices.
Where to try: Yellow Chilli in Lagos.
2. Suya
Thinly sliced beef or chicken grilled over open flames and served with spicy peanut sauce.
Where to try: Yahuza Suya Spot in Abuja.
3. Akara
Crispy fried bean cakes are often eaten for breakfast.
Where to try: Mama Tee’s Kitchen in Port Harcourt.
4. Egusi Soup
A thick, hearty soup made with ground melon seeds and leafy vegetables.
Where to try: Bukka Hut in Enugu.
5. Puff-Puff
Sweet, deep-fried dough balls are perfect as a snack or dessert.
Where to try: Olu’s Bakery in Ibadan.
6. Ofada Rice & Ayamase Sauce
Local unpolished rice served with a green pepper sauce and assorted meat.
Where to try: Ofadaboy in Lagos.
7. Moi Moi
Steamed bean pudding wrapped in banana leaves, often served as a side.
Where to try: The Place Restaurant in Ikeja.
8. Boli
Grilled plantains, often paired with spicy pepper sauce or groundnut.
Where to try: Boli King in Port Harcourt.
9. Nkwobi
Cow foot delicacy served in spicy palm oil sauce.
Where to try: Jevenik Restaurant in Owerri.
10. Ofe Nsala (White Soup)
A light, spicy soup native to the Igbo tribe, made without palm oil.
Where to try: Natives Restaurant in Enugu.
11. Efo Riro
Spinach stew cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and assorted meat.
Where to try: Terra Kulture in Lagos.
12. Tuwo Shinkafa & Miyan Kuka
Rice pudding paired with baobab leaf soup from Northern Nigeria.
Where to try: Al-Bushra Restaurant in Kano.
13. Ukodo (Yam Pepper Soup)
A spicy yam and goat meat soup, often served at traditional events.
Where to try: Delta Kitchen in Warri.
14. Beans and Plantain
A staple comfort food made from stewed beans and ripe plantains.
Where to try: Sweet Sensation in Lagos.
15. Afang Soup
A thick vegetable soup made from afang and waterleaf, native to the Efik people.
Where to try: Calabar Kitchen in Uyo.
16. Fisherman Soup
Seafood-rich soup is popular among the riverine communities.
Where to try: Tastee Pot in Bayelsa.
17. Yam Porridge (Asaro)
Soft, mashed yam cooked with tomato sauce, palm oil, and spices.
Where to try: Iya Meta Canteen in Abeokuta.
18. Okra Soup
A slimy-textured soup loaded with meats and vegetables, best eaten with fufu.
Where to try: Bukka Hut in Lagos.
19. Gizdodo
A tasty blend of gizzard and fried plantains tossed in pepper sauce.
Where to try: Grill by Delis in Victoria Island, Lagos.
20. Agege Bread & Ewa Agoyin
Soft, stretchy bread paired with mashed beans and pepper sauce – a street food favourite.
Where to try: Ewa Agoyin Place in Lagos Mainland.
Ready to embark on a culinary adventure through Nigeria?
Share your favorite Nigerian dishes with us in the comments below and tag us on social media with your foodie photos using #TasteNigeria. Let the world see the flavour and culture on your plate!
