A friendly starter guide to the five Nigerian dishes worth trying first — perfect for anyone new to the cuisine.
New to Nigerian food and not sure where to start? Here’s your shortlist — five dishes that’ll give you a proper introduction without overwhelming you.
1. Jollof Rice. The essential starting point. Smoky, rich, slightly spiced — it’s the dish most people fall in love with first, and the one that’ll make sense of everything else on the menu.
2. Suya. Skewered, spice-rubbed grilled meat, usually beef, coated in a peanut-based spice blend called yaji. Smoky, a little fiery, and dangerously easy to keep eating.
3. Egusi Soup. A rich, ground melon-seed soup, usually eaten with a “swallow” like pounded yam. It’s hearty, deeply savoury, and a great entry point into Nigerian soups.
4. Puff Puff. Light, sweet, deep-fried dough — Nigeria’s answer to a doughnut, and the thing you’ll find yourself craving between meals.
5. Chin Chin. Crunchy, lightly sweet fried snack pieces, perfect for grazing and impossible to stop eating once you start.
Start with one, or be brave and order a small selection — that’s honestly the best way to figure out what you love. However you begin, we’ll make sure it’s a proper introduction, not a watered-down one.
A friendly starter guide to the five Nigerian dishes worth trying first — perfect for anyone new to the cuisine.
Tag: Culture · Beginner’s Guide
New to Nigerian food and not sure where to start? Here’s your shortlist — five dishes that’ll give you a proper introduction without overwhelming you.
1. Jollof Rice. The essential starting point. Smoky, rich, slightly spiced — it’s the dish most people fall in love with first, and the one that’ll make sense of everything else on the menu.
2. Suya. Skewered, spice-rubbed grilled meat, usually beef, coated in a peanut-based spice blend called yaji. Smoky, a little fiery, and dangerously easy to keep eating.
3. Egusi Soup. A rich, ground melon-seed soup, usually eaten with a “swallow” like pounded yam. It’s hearty, deeply savoury, and a great entry point into Nigerian soups.
4. Puff Puff. Light, sweet, deep-fried dough — Nigeria’s answer to a doughnut, and the thing you’ll find yourself craving between meals.
5. Chin Chin. Crunchy, lightly sweet fried snack pieces, perfect for grazing and impossible to stop eating once you start.
Start with one, or be brave and order a small selection — that’s honestly the best way to figure out what you love. However you begin, we’ll make sure it’s a proper introduction, not a watered-down one.