Nigerian Street Food

There are a lot of things that make Nigeria stand out from other countries, but one thing is for certain: if you are hungry, you really don’t need to travel very far or worry about getting to a restaurant. Instead, you can buy food on the road while you are stuck in traffic with street hawkers trying to sell their products, or you can pull over to the side of the road where there are food stands set up ready for a hungry customer to come and buy their food.

It really is not an issue food is always nearby.

The vibrant and bustling streets of Nigeria are a treasure trove of culinary delights, offering an assortment of delectable and mouthwatering street foods that represent the rich cultural diversity of the country.

The flavours of traditional and contemporary Nigerian cuisine come together in perfect harmony in the country’s street food, which is prepared with care and love using ingredients sourced locally.

here are many street foods that have made a household name for themselves due to their popularity.

Some of those being suya, moi moi, pounded yam and egusi soup, akara and Gala.

Suya is a spicy, grilled meat skewer that can be found at every street corner and market in Nigeria.

You can find it wrapped up in newspaper the same way fish and chips is traditionally done.

Suya is prepared by marinating thinly sliced beef, goat, or chicken in a mixture of groundnut (peanut) paste, spicy pepper, onion, and other spices, and then grilling it to perfection over open flames. It is really one;s preference to the type of meat they like to enjoy when going about making suya.

In case of allergies to the groundnut paste it can also be done without.

It is traditionally served with a side of hot pepper sauce, sliced onions, tomatoes, and sometimes even fried yams.

Pounded yam is a dough that is smooth made from boiled and pounded yam tubers that is pounded using a mortar and pestle.

One really needs all the strength in their arms to mix.

It is a staple food in Nigerian cuisine with Egusi soup being by far the most common accompaniment, though it can be enjoyed with any number of other types of soup as well such as okra.

Egusi soup is a rich, thick stew that is filled with a variety of vegetables, meat, and fish.

Variations of the soup also include putting in spinach or kale.

The melon seeds that are used to make the soup are ground.

The dish of pounded yam served with egusi soup is a local favourite and a true representation of the Nigerian culinary culture.

Akara also known as bean cakes are a common choice.for either breakfast or a snack. They are typically accompanied by a side of fiery pepper sauce or pap which is a silky porridge made from cornmeal. It can be accompanied by custard also if you prefer.

A tasty and satiating snack that can be consumed at any time of the day, akara are characterised by a crust that has a light crunch to it and an interior that is soft and airy in texture. It is fried as part of the cooking process.

Gala is a brand of sausage rolls that are baked until golden brown, contain minced meat seasoned with various herbs and spices, and are wrapped in a flaky pastry.

That is Nigeria’s version of Greggs Sausage rolls.

Moimoi Moimoi is a savoury bean pudding that is prepared by steaming peeled black-eyed peas along with onions, bell peppers, and various spices. T his flavorful dish can be prepared with a variety of fillings, such as hard-boiled eggs, fish, or corned beef.

It is frequently served as a side dish, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a snack that is packed with protein.. It is known for its distinctive consistency and delightful flavour. Moimoi is also nutritional.

There are many different versions of moi moi also with one being plantain moi moi, the difference is by using the plantain the moi moi is very sweet on its own without adding any seasoning.