Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Somolu, Lagos, Nigeria
1. Egusi Soup
A spicy Nigerian stew made from melon seeds and various vegetables served with pounded yam or rice.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses Egusi, melon seeds, not commonly found in other regions.
- Spiciness Level: Can be quite spicy, an authentic taste of the region.
- Versatility: Typically served with pounded yam or rice, but can also be found with meat or fish.
2. Banga Soup
A creamy Nigerian soup made from coconut milk and palm nut cream, often served with yam or plantain.
- Coconut Milk Base: Uniquely uses coconut milk as its base.
- Tropical Flavor: Infused with the rich, tropical flavor of coconut and palm nut.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
3. Puff-Puff
Deep-fried dough balls coated in sugar or honey, a popular Nigerian snack.
- Familiar yet Different: Similar to doughnuts but unique due to the sugar or honey coating.
- Portable Snack: Easy to carry and eat on-the-go.
- Inexpensive Treat: Affordable snack, perfect for travelers on a budget.
4. Amala and Ewedu
Yoruba staple food made from yam flour (Amala) served with a soup made from dried pumpkin leaves (Ewedu).
- Yam Flour Specialty: Amala is unique as it's made from yam flour.
- Healthy Option: Made with nutritious ingredients like pumpkin leaves.
- Comfort Food: A popular, comforting meal among locals.
5. Moi-Moi
Steamed bean pudding seasoned with spices and vegetables, wrapped in leaves before steaming.
- Wrapped Preparation: Uniquely prepared by wrapping the mixture in leaves before steaming.
- Portable Snack: Easy to carry and eat on-the-go.
- Vegetarian Friendly: A vegetarian dish, popular among those following a plant-based diet.
6. Ofe Akwu Oha
A soupy dish made from water leaves (Ugwu) and various spices.
- Water Leaves Specialty: Uses water leaves, a unique ingredient.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Tropical Flavor: Infused with the rich, tropical flavor of water leaves.
7. Agidi
Cornmeal dough balls fermented and boiled before being sliced and served.
- Fermented Cornmeal: Made from fermented cornmeal, giving it a unique flavor.
- Versatile Side Dish: Can be served with various soups and stews.
- Gluten-Free Option: A gluten-free dish, suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
8. Yam Pudding (Ponmo Yam)
A savory dish made from mashed yams and cow skin (ponmo), seasoned with various spices.
- Cow Skin Ingredient: Uses cow skin, not a common ingredient in other regions.
- Savory Dish: Has a savory flavor unlike sweet dessert-like puddings.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
9. Kokoro
A spicy Nigerian stew made from mashed yam or cassava and various spices.
- Mashed Yam Base: Uses mashed yam as its base.
- Spiciness Level: Can be quite spicy, an authentic taste of the region.
- Versatility: Typically served with various dishes but can also be eaten alone.
10. Isiewu
A Nigerian dish made from cow intestines seasoned with various spices.
- Intestine Ingredient: Uses cow intestines, a unique ingredient not found in other regions.
- Spiciness Level: Can be quite spicy, an authentic taste of the region.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
11. Pepper Soup
A spicy soup made from various meats (such as goat or cow) and pepper, served with starch like yam or plantain.
- Spiciness Level: Very spicy due to the generous amount of peppers used.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Variety of Proteins: Can be made with various meats like goat or cow.
12. Ofe Nsala
A soupy dish made from nsala leaves (waterleaf) and various spices.
- Waterleaf Specialty: Uses nsala leaves, a unique ingredient.
- Hearty Meal: A filling dish, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Tropical Flavor: Infused with the rich, tropical flavor of nsala leaves.
13. Bole
A Nigerian dish made from cassava dough rolled into long tubes and boiled.
- Cassava Specialty: Made from cassava, a unique ingredient.
- Versatile Side Dish: Can be served with various soups and stews.
- Gluten-Free Option: A gluten-free dish, suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
14. Ewedu and Amala
Yoruba staple food made from yam flour (Amala) served with a soup made from dried pumpkin leaves (Ewedu).
- Yam Flour Specialty: Amala is unique as it's made from yam flour.
- Healthy Option: Made with nutritious ingredients like pumpkin leaves.
- Comfort Food: A popular, comforting meal among locals.
15. Eba and Okro
Eba is a staple food made from cassava flour (garri) served with okra stew.
- Cassava Flour Specialty: Made from cassava flour, a unique ingredient.
- Versatile Side Dish: Can be served with various stews but okra stew is particularly popular.
- Gluten-Free Option: A gluten-free dish, suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.