In this article, we aim to tingle your tastebuds with our list of the top ten Nigerian soups you should try.
Are you looking for what to eat in Nigeria? Forget the famous Nigerian jollof rice for a moment—some of the best Nigerian dishes you should taste before you die are the traditional Nigerian soups. Nigerian soups are so tasty you may bite your tongue if you don’t watch it.
They are mainly garnished with assorted meat, vegetables, local spices, and herbs and are often served with heavy swallows like pounded yam, fufu, or eba (garri).
Best part? There are recipes originating from different parts of Nigeria, so whichever city or village you visit, there is something mouth-watering on a plate waiting to receive you.
So, if you are trying to discover some of the best Nigerian foods, here are the top ten Nigerian soups you should try.
10. Afang Soup – a Cross River specialty
Starting our list of the top ten Nigerian soups you should try is the almighty and ever-delicious Afang soup.
Afang soup is a Cross River speciality that packs a punch of flavours. It contains water leaves, okazi (afang) leaves, dried fish, meat, onions, red palm oil, crayfish, and spice cubes. Trust us, it’s not just good; it’s a nutrient powerhouse!
9. Egusi Soup – a Nigerian favourite
You must include Nigerian Egusi soup to compile a list of the best Nigerian soups. Egusi soup is a Nigerian favourite that you can find at pretty much any party.
It’s made from melon seeds and filled with meat or fish. Just smelling the aroma will make you hungry and salivating—it’s that tasty!
8. Ofe Onugbo (Bitter leaf Soup) – don’t let the name fool you
Yes, we said it! Do not let the name fool you! Bitter-leaf soup is anything but bitter. It’s a mix of bitter leaf, cocoyam paste, red palm oil, dried fish, beef, crayfish, salt, and seasoning. Having a hot plate of bitter-leaf soup is like enjoying a warm hug on a cold day.
7. Edikaikong Soup – a naturally healthy dose of vitamins
If you’re looking for a naturally healthy dose of vitamins, Edikaikong soup is the answer. It’s got crayfish, fish headstock, ugu leaves, waterleaf, seasoning cubes, periwinkles, and onions. It’s so tasty; you won’t even realise when you exceed your usual food intake.
You can enjoy Edikaikong soup with any swallow of your choice, or you can enjoy every hot spoon of this soup with plenty of protein and no swallow.
6. White Soup (Ofe Nsala) – a worthy recipe from the eastern people of Nigeria
Another very worthy and delicious mention on our list of Nigerian soups is the Nigerian white soup. White soup is a traditional dish from the eastern part of Nigeria.
Made with utazi leaves, yam, and your choice of protein, usually catfish. It’s best enjoyed with pounded yam or fufu.
5. Banga Soup – magic made from palm fruit
Banga soup is a South-South and South-Eastern delight made from palm fruit, meat or dried fish, vegetables, salt, and chilli pepper. It goes perfectly with rice, eba, or any other swallow.
The taste of Banga soup is heavenly! Reading about it alone doesn’t do justice; you should add it to your bucket list of things to eat before you die. It is worth it!
4. Efo-Riro Soup – a veggie-packed soup
Efo riro is a veggie-packed soup from the Yoruba tribe. It’s made with kale leaves, pumpkin leaves, onions, tomatoes, and your choice of meat or fish. It’s super nutritious and oh-so-delicious!
3. Ewedu Soup – as simple as it gets
Ewedu soup is as simple as it gets. Boiling water typically simmers the ewedu leaves, commonly served alongside stew, meat, and amala. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need.
2. Ora Soup – an Igbo classic
Ora soup is an Igbo classic made with Ora leaves, cocoyam paste, assorted meats, dry fish, stockfish, crayfish, and palm oil.
It’s a quick delicacy that’ll warm you up from the inside out. It’s best served hot and with freshly pounded fufu.
1. Gbegiri Soup – a Yoruba favourite
Gbegiri soup is a Yoruba favourite made from beans, smoked or fresh fish, crayfish, palm oil, stock, locust beans, salt, and pepper. Often served with ewedu soup and a side of swallow. Simple, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying!
For more info on Nigeria, check out our top articles:
Local ETIQUETTE 101: CUSTOMS for an enjoyable trip to Nigeria
National Foods of Nigeria