Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Owerri, Nigeria
1. Oha Soup and Banga
A spicy and flavorful dish made from pumpkin leaves and smoked fish served with fufu or garri. Try it at Umunna Foods, famous for their authentic Owerri recipes.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses locally sourced pumpkin leaves and smoked fish.
- Authentic Recipe: Prepared according to traditional Owerri cooking techniques.
- Spicy Delight: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
2. Ofe Owerri
A hearty dish consisting of yam pottage, beans, and goat meat. Visit the popular Green Bubbles for a delicious serving.
- Hearty Meal: A filling meal perfect for those with big appetites.
- Local Goat Meat: Uses locally raised goats, ensuring freshness and flavor.
- Traditional Taste: Prepared with traditional Owerri flavors.
3. Isiewu and Agidan Masi
A combination of cow tripe and goat head stew served with boiled yam or plantain. The popular spot for this dish is the Alao Restaurant.
- Adventurous Dining: Offers less common meats like cow tripe and goat head.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spicy, bold flavors.
- Local Meats: Uses locally sourced meats.
4. Akwahu and Okpa
A bean cake made from soybeans served with fried fish or grilled corn. Visit the popular Owerri Market to try this street food.
- Street Food Experience: Enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the Owerri Market while tasting local delicacies.
- Soybean Delight: Made from locally sourced soybeans.
- Versatile Pairing: Can be paired with various proteins like fish or corn.
5. Oha and Ugba Salad
A refreshing salad made from pounded leaves of pumpkin and oil beans served with palm wine. Visit the Alien Fish Restaurant for this unique dish.
- Refreshing Taste: Offers a refreshing taste that complements the spicy dishes of Owerri.
- Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced pumpkin leaves and oil beans.
- Palm Wine Pairing: Served with locally produced palm wine.
6. Bushmeat Pepper Soup
A spicy soup made from various bushmeats served with boiled yam or cassava. Try it at the popular Nkwo Market.
- Exotic Experience: Offers exotic bushmeat options not commonly found outside of Africa.
- Spicy Soup: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
- Traditional Market Atmosphere: Enjoy the traditional market atmosphere while tasting local delicacies.
7. Isi Ewu and Akara
Goat's head pepper soup served with deep-fried bean cakes. The popular Mammie's Kitchen is the place to try this dish.
- Adventurous Dining: Offers goat's head, an adventurous dining choice.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spicy, bold flavors.
- Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced goat's head and beans.
8. Egusi Soup with Ponmo
A thick soup made from melon seeds and cow skin served with rice or fufu. Visit the local eatery, Mbari Mbayii, for a taste of this dish.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses cow skin and melon seeds, which are not common in other cuisines.
- Local Flavors: Prepared with traditional Owerri flavors.
- Hearty Meal: A filling meal perfect for those with big appetites.
9. Oha and Ugba Porridge
A porridge made from pounded leaves of pumpkin and oil beans. Visit the local eatery, Umu Nnebu Eatery, for this unique dish.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses locally sourced pumpkin leaves and oil beans.
- Traditional Taste: Prepared with traditional Owerri flavors.
- Refreshing Breakfast Option: A refreshing breakfast option for early risers.
10. Uziza Soup
A spicy soup made from pumpkin leaves, fresh shrimps and crayfish. Try it at the popular Njoku's Kitchen.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
- Seafood Delight: Uses fresh shrimps and crayfish sourced from local waters.
- Local Restaurant Atmosphere: Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of a popular local restaurant.
11. Akara and Moi Moi
Deep-fried bean cakes and steamed beans served with various sauces. Try this popular street food at the Owerri Market.
- Street Food Experience: Enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the Owerri Market while tasting local delicacies.
- Vegetarian Option: A vegetarian option for those who prefer plant-based meals.
- Versatile Pairing: Can be paired with various sauces and dips.
12. Bitterleaf Soup
A spicy soup made from bitter leaves served with fufu or rice. Try it at the popular Mammie's Kitchen.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses bitter leaves, which are not commonly used in other cuisines.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
- Local Restaurant Atmosphere: Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of a popular local restaurant.
13. Okpa with Cocoyam
A bean cake made from soybeans served with cocoyam (taro) or cassava. Visit the local eatery, Owerri Market Street Food, for this unique dish.
- Street Food Experience: Enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the Owerri Market while tasting local delicacies.
- Soybean Delight: Made from locally sourced soybeans.
- Root Vegetable Pairing: Paired with various root vegetables like cocoyam and cassava.
14. Asun and Ofe Akwu
Roasted bushmeat served with a spicy soup made from water leaves. Try it at the popular Nkwo Market.
- Exotic Experience: Offers exotic bushmeat options not commonly found outside of Africa.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
- Traditional Market Atmosphere: Enjoy the traditional market atmosphere while tasting local delicacies.
15. Nkwobi and Ugba
Spicy goat's leg stew served with oil bean cubes. Try it at the popular Alao Restaurant.
- Adventurous Dining: Offers goat's leg, an adventurous dining choice.
- Spicy Flavors: Known for its spiciness, a perfect choice for spice lovers.
- Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced goat's leg and oil beans.