6 Nigerian Side Dishes That You Need To Try

Are you wondering what Nigerian foods to try on your upcoming trip to Nigeria? I’ve got you covered. In this article, I will introduce to you the most popular dishes in this wonderful country so you can easily make a plan to explore the essence of Nigerian cuisine.

You can have a great chance to learn about the origins, tastes, and traditions associated with each dish. Much interesting information is waiting for you ahead. Sit down, get a snack, and enjoy plenty of fascinating stories.

6. Tuwo Shinkafa (Rice Meal)

Tuwo Shinkafa was invented by the Hausa tribe who used to live in the northern area of the country. It comes in the form of ball-shaped mashed rice or corn.I believe that you can’t find mashed rice in other cuisines. Traditionally, people use short-grain rice but sometimes they also use rice flour.

To create such a texture, people cook the rice or corn in water and use a long-handled wooden spoon to mash it, then shape it into balls. Tuwo Shinkafa is now a popular side dish of stews and soups. It is mostly served warm.

5. Ẹ̀bà (Cassava Meal)

Nigerian people love to make food from the cassava root, also called “Garri.” They use dried grated cassava flour to make Ẹ̀bà, a comfort food that is very popular among Yoruba people. It is also made in other West African sub-regions.

Ẹ̀bà is made by cooking dried grated cassava flour in hot water and shaping it into a large ball. Its color can be white or yellow, depending on how it is cooked. If people add palm oil when drying the grated cassava, then the dish will have a yellow hue.

People eat Ẹ̀bà using their fingers. They take out a small piece, turn it into a small ball, and then dip it in soup or stew.

4. Ofe Akwu (Banga Soup)

Made from various types of meat, fish, palm nut fruit, and spices, Banga Soup is a delicious delicacy that you should never miss. It is spicy and full of flavors. It pairs perfectly with Fufu, creating a fulfilling meal that everyone asks for.

Banga Soup is an authentic Nigerian recipe that was invented by the Urhobo tribe, who resided in the Delta state of Nigeria. Nowadays, it is widely popular among the Itsekiris and other tribes. Each tripe has a unique recipe.

Its name consists of 2 words. “Ofe” refers to soups or stew while “Akwu” means palm fruit.

3. Efo Riro (Spinach Stew)

2. Ogbono Soup (Draw Soup)

Ogbono soup came from the south-eastern part of Nigeria, especially Igboland. It is named after the main ingredient, which is ogbono seeds. Other ingredients include bitter leaf and celosia, vegetables, meat, and seasonings.

This soup is not only famous for its rich and flavorful taste but also for its impressive health benefits. It is shown to contain potassium and can control blood sugar levels and reduce fatigue. This Nigerian dinner recipe is definitely worth trying. I can’t recommend it more.

Ogbono soup also pairs perfectly with Fufu.

 celosia, vegetables, meat, and seasonings.

1. ( Pepper Soup)

Speaking of peppers, you will often think of a very spicy dish. Yes, it is. In Nigeria, people cook goat meat with spices to create a delicate spicy soup that is used to treat common colds and flu.

 pepper soup is a hearty African soup made with Goat meat cutlets or chunks, pepper soup spice, and other beautiful condiments.  If you are looking for an authentic Goat meat pepper soup, this soup certainly delivers the big, bold African flavors you will love.

I’m a big fan of goat meat, and I use it in a number of my recipes. One of my favorites is goat meat pepper soup. It’s hearty, spicy, and delicious.

Almost every culture on earth has its soup recipe and Africa is not an exception. In fact, soups and stews are a significant component of the African cuisine, and we have a whole lot of it apart from this pepper soup recipe like Turkey Stew, Ayamase stew, Stewed Spinach (Efo riro), Egusi Soup, Banga Soup, chicken pepper soup and much more.