₦airaland Forum

Nigerians can turn almost anything into a debate, but food arguments are particularly interesting because everybody suddenly becomes an expert.

So let's talk about egusi.
Which state makes the best egusi soup? Is it the Yoruba style, the Igbo style, or a version from another part of Nigeria that people rarely give enough attention?

Some people love egusi with well-formed lumps. Others prefer a thicker, more blended texture. Then there are the people who believe that the vegetables, palm oil, assorted meat, stockfish, crayfish and seasoning must come together in a very particular way.

But beyond the question of taste, there is another argument: who actually owns egusi?
Egusi is widely eaten across Nigeria, and its preparation varies between communities and households. Nigeria's food traditions are diverse, as documented by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation. That makes it worth distinguishing between a dish being associated with a community and claiming that the community is its only rightful owner.

Personally, I think we should be able to celebrate the different styles without pretending that everybody must cook the same way.


Let's hear your arguments:

Which state or ethnic group's egusi is your favourite?

Do you prefer fried egusi or egusi cooked directly in the soup?

Which vegetable must be present in your ideal egusi?

Is egusi the property of one ethnic group, or has it become part of a wider Nigerian food culture?

What is the one mistake that ruins a pot of egusi for you?



Please explain your choice. "My state is the best" is not enough evidence. Tell us what makes the soup special.
Let's have a proper food debate.

People often say that cooking at home is cheaper, but I think the answer depends on what you cook, how much you prepare and how many people you are feeding.

Suppose you want to prepare rice and stew. You may need rice, tomatoes, pepper, onions, oil, seasoning, gas and protein. If you are cooking for one person, buying all those ingredients at once can feel expensive.

Buying a plate of food outside may seem easier, especially when you are a student, a worker or someone who spends most of the day away from home.

But buying food every day also adds up. You may pay for delivery or transportation, and the cost can become significant over a month.

There are other considerations, too: portion size, hygiene, taste, time, leftovers and whether you have proper storage facilities.

The Food and Agriculture Organization recommends planning purchases, preparing suitable quantities and storing food properly to reduce waste. That matters whether you cook at home or buy prepared meals.

So let's discuss the practical side.

1. If you live alone, do you prefer cooking or buying food?
2. Which option usually costs you less?
3. Do you find it cheaper to cook in bulk and refrigerate portions?
4. What is the biggest disadvantage of buying food outside?
5. What is the biggest disadvantage of cooking at home?

If you have actual examples of what you spend, share them. Prices differ from one location to another, so let's compare experiences rather than assume everybody has the same budget.

Is homemade food genuinely cheaper for you, or is buying food outside sometimes the more sensible option?

There is a particular kind of tiredness that only shows up on Saturday morning.

You have survived Monday.

Survived Tuesday.

Wednesday came with its own problems.

Thursday somehow lasted three business days.

By Friday, you were already mentally on Saturday.

Then Saturday finally arrives and you realise you do not actually want to do anything stressful.

You do not want another meeting.

You do not want traffic.

You do not want anybody asking you for "a quick favour."

You just want to eat something good and sit somewhere peaceful.

Maybe somewhere with outdoor seating.

Maybe a quiet restaurant where you can actually have a conversation.

Maybe a café where you can sit with your laptop, a book or absolutely nothing.

Maybe somewhere with good food, good music and enough space to breathe.

It does not even have to be an expensive outing.

Sometimes the perfect Saturday is simply finding a comfortable place, ordering your favourite meal and allowing yourself to enjoy the fact that nobody is rushing you.

The problem is finding these places.

You may know where to get your usual lunch, but where do you go when you want somewhere to unwind?

Where is that restaurant in your city that gives you the feeling of, "I can actually stay here for a while"?

This is one of the things that makes discovering restaurants interesting.

You are not always searching for food because you are hungry.

Sometimes you are searching for a place that fits the kind of day you want to have.

So, for everyone who has survived another stressful week:

Where is your favourite place to relax, eat and cool off in your city?

Restaurant, café, lounge or even a quiet local spot.

Tell us the name and location.

Someone else might need that recommendation this weekend.

And if you are still looking for somewhere new to unwind, discover food spots around you on LocalBuka.

I went out to eat recently and decided to do something I normally don't do.

I decided to be adventurous.

I'm usually very much “let me stick to what I know” when it comes to food. I don't even know why.😂 If I've eaten it before and I know I like it, why should I risk my money on something I've never tried?

But that day, I saw shrimp sauce on the menu and thought, Why not? Let me try something different.

Big mistake.

Well… not exactly😂

The shrimp sauce actually tasted nice. The problem was the aroma.

Something about the smell was making me nauseous, and I couldn't continue eating it.

I didn't really regret trying it because at least I discovered something new.

But the money I spent?

That one wanted to make me cry😭

And it got me thinking about how there seem to be two types of people when it comes to choosing food.

There are the adventurous ones who see something they've never eaten before and immediately think, “Let's try it.”

Then there are the safe players who will order the same thing they've had ten times because they already know it won't disappoint them.

So, which team are you?

Team “Let me try something new” or Team “I know what I like”?

And honestly, LocalBuka can be useful for both.

If you're adventurous, you can use it to discover new restaurants and meals around you based on your cravings, location and budget.

And if you're a safe player like me, you can check reviews from people who have already tried the food before spending your money. At least someone else can take the risk first😂

Because sometimes, food discovery is about finding something completely new.

Other times, it's about finding a better version of what you already know you love.

“What are we eating today?”

A very simple question that can somehow turn into a family meeting😂

“Rice.”

“We ate rice yesterday.”

“Yam?”

“No yam.”

“Let’s buy food.”

“Buy what?”

At this point, everybody is hungry, but nobody knows what they want to eat😭

And it's not even just about craving. You have to consider what is available at home, how much you want to spend, whether you feel like cooking, and sometimes what everyone else wants.

Then you finally give up and eat the same thing you've been eating all week.

How do you guys decide what to eat? Do you plan ahead, cook whatever is available, or just wait until hunger makes the decision for you?😂

This is actually one of the reasons food discovery can make life easier. Sometimes you don't need more options. You just need the right options.

LocalBuka helps you discover what and where to eat based on your cravings, location, budget, and preferences.

So the next time someone asks, “What are we eating?” maybe you won't need to hold a family meeting😂

PheelzAlmighty:
I prefer it raw. You can eat it raw like that

😳

iykololo:
"Yam Gborridge" bro??

As how na 🤔

😂😂 It was probably a mistake

spafu:
I love yam, and I enjoy it anyway.
Pounded with Vegetables or Egusi
Roasted with Red Oil and Ukpaka.
Porridge
Fried with Akara ( we call it Kosh & Dosh/
Boiled with Garden Egg Sauce

You're really a yam lover like me😌

chieveboy:
pound it and serve with a well thought-out egusi or vegetable soup.

Thats how to eat yam.

That's another cool option. Especially with that Egusi soup🥹

Tenses:
If not for my kids and wifey, I can go half a decade without eating yam.

Wow this is surprising😂

Nemesis0147:
Not a fan of yam
I can go a year without eating it but you see number 3…..roasted yam
It is goated!!

To think I dy go village soon😊😊

Wow this is the first time I'm hearing that a person doesn't like yam. It's surprising because I loveeeeeee yam

Don't forget enjoy at least one plate before you return. Life no suppose hard😂

Kobicove:
I choose all of the above, they all look very appertizing

I understand you

ARISHEM:
Why do you exclude Pounded yam.
I prefer my yam pounded

Oh my...
I forgot that completely, but it's a cool choice especially with Egusi soup🥹

Moustache:
Yam with egg... I meant a lot of egg, not struggling to manage the eggs ooo...

Emphasis on "a lot of eggs"😭😂

Boydirector001:
Oga na with egg o



I no dey go for any other one

You know ball😌

Mariangeles:
Honestly, I can't decide, but going by the pictures, I'll go for the yam pottage.


Happy weekend, Nlfpmod👋🏼

Cool choice but I still think yam and egg sauce is the best😭

Sometimes, one smell or one bite can take you back to a completely different time.

Maybe it reminds you of your childhood, your school days, Sunday afternoons at home, or a meal someone you love used to make.

For me, some foods carry intense memories that cannot be forgotten.

And sometimes, discovering a new food spot can create a memory you will talk about years later. That is one reason LocalBuka makes it easier to discover restaurants and food spots around you.

So, I am curious:

What Nigerian food instantly takes you back to a particular memory or period in your life?

Tell us the food and the memory it brings back.

Sometimes, one smell or one bite can take you back to a completely different time.

Maybe it reminds you of your childhood, your school days, Sunday afternoons at home, or a meal someone you love used to make.

For me, some foods carry intense memories that cannot be forgotten.

And sometimes, discovering a new food spot can create a memory you will talk about years later. That is one reason LocalBuka makes it easier to discover restaurants and food spots around you.

So, I am curious:

What Nigerian food instantly takes you back to a particular memory or period in your life?

Tell us the food and the memory it brings back.

A friend and I were talking about food when we somehow started debating the best way to eat yam.

She insisted that yam porridge wins because it is soft, filling, and already packed with flavour.

I disagreed. Give me boiled yam with a delicious plate of egg sauce, and I am happy.

But then we started talking about the sweetness of roasted yam and fried yam when they're paired with pepper sauce.

Now we cannot agree 😭

Maybe the answer depends on where you are and the food spots around you. With LocalBuka, you can discover restaurants and food spots nearby when you are in the mood to try something different.

So, let us settle this:

Boiled yam
Yam porridge
Roasted yam
Fried yam

Which one is the best way to enjoy yam?

Picture source: Pinterest

mariahAngel:
Hey foodies! 👋🏼
Happy weekend.

It's a cold Saturday today, the perfect weather for some deliciously spicy peppersoup.
Peppersoup is super nutritious and healthy for everyone.
There are different kinds of peppersoup, depending on the type of protein and spices used in cooking it.

What peppersoup is your favourite?
It doesn't have to be one of those below.

Tell us your favourite (s) in the comment section.

Pictures' source: Instagram

Catfish pepper soup any day😌

Mariangeles:
Ask chatgpt any question based on your topic of interest, and post the response here.

Let's explore each other's minds, and have fun while at it.
Who knows, we could learn one or two from our various topics of interest.

I'm interested in healthy food

Sometimes, we look for expensive supplements and imported “health foods” when some of the ingredients already sitting in our kitchens have useful health benefits.

Here are 7 everyday ingredients, what they may help with, and easy Nigerian meals you can add them to:

1. Ginger

Ginger is commonly used to help with nausea, stomach discomfort, and indigestion. For example, if you sometimes feel nauseous or uncomfortable after eating, ginger tea may help settle your stomach.

You can add it to pepper soup, stew, tea, zobo, smoothies, and marinades.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric contains a natural compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This means it may help the body manage inflammation, although it is not a treatment for illnesses or long-term pain.

You can add a small amount to rice, scrambled eggs, chicken, soups, stews, and sauces. A little goes a long way.

3. Garlic

Garlic contains natural compounds that may support heart health and healthy blood pressure when eaten as part of a balanced diet. For example, adding garlic to your meals can be a healthier way to increase flavour without depending too much on salt.

You can use it in stews, jollof rice, beans, grilled chicken, fish, sauces, and marinades.

4. Ugu (Pumpkin Leaves)

Ugu contains nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that help the body function properly. It can be especially useful when you are trying to eat more vegetables and improve the variety of nutrients in your diet.

Add it to egusi soup, vegetable soup, okra soup, or sauces.

5. Carrots

Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps support normal eyesight and the immune system. For example, eating carrots regularly as part of a balanced diet can help you get nutrients your eyes need to function normally.

You can add carrots to fried rice, jollof rice, salads, noodles, soups, or smoothies.

6. Beans

Beans contain protein and fibre. The fibre may help with regular bowel movements and can keep you full for longer. For example, if you often feel hungry again shortly after eating, a meal containing beans may keep you satisfied longer than a meal made mostly of refined carbohydrates.

Enjoy them as beans porridge, moi moi, akara, or with rice, plantain, or bread.

7. Scent Leaf

Scent leaf contains natural plant compounds and is commonly used in Nigerian cooking. It may support digestion and is often used in meals when someone has a poor appetite or mild stomach discomfort, although it should not replace medical treatment.

Add it to pepper soup, yam porridge, soups, sauces, or stew.

Eating healthy does not always mean buying expensive foods. Sometimes, it is simply about making better use of the nutritious ingredients already available to us and adding more variety to our meals.

For more food ideas and places to explore, check out LocalBuka. You can discover restaurants, read reviews from other food lovers, and share your own food experiences with a growing community of food lovers.

Which of these ingredients do you use the most, and what meal do you enjoy adding it to?

Mariangeles:
That's more like it.👍

Nothing sells food faster than a food photo.
That's why I love food photography.

Noted that
Thank you😊

Mariangeles:
I was eager to see a picture of it after reading.

I just attached one😊
It's quite smaller than it looks in pictures but it's worth the price

Crunchies’ ₦2,500 bento cake has been getting quite popular lately, and I’ve been seeing people talk about it.

From what I’ve heard, it tastes nice. It’s quite small, but the size seems good enough if you just want a little treat or something simple. For ₦2,500, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal.

If you’re planning to try it, it might be better to order through the Crunchies website before going to pick it up. That way, you can reduce the waiting time at the branch.

Has anyone here tried it? How was the taste, and do you think the size is worth ₦2,500?

And if you haven’t tried it yet, are you planning to?

Also, if you enjoy discovering new restaurants and food spots, you can check out LocalBuka. You can read people’s reviews, discover places to eat, and share your own food experiences with a growing community of food lovers.

Stay tuned for more food updates and food discussions.

I'll go first.

Bread dipped in cold soft drink.

A lot of people think it's strange until they try it.

What's your own unusual food combination that you swear by?

Let's see the weirdest (and surprisingly delicious) combinations in the comments.

By the way, if you're ever looking for good restaurants or hidden food spots to try, check out LocalBuka. You might discover your next favorite place.

Ishilove:
Irony is 'Agidi' is a Yoruba word.

Wow I didn't know that

budaatum:
Ẹkọ is cold cooked ogi. If you cook ogi long enough and leave it to cool it solidifies into ẹkọ.

I can't stand it!

Oh I think that's what we call 'Agidi' in the East

budaatum:
Mine was amala. I hated it with extreme passion and would rather starve than let it touch my mouth.

We used to have it delivered when we first arrived in Nigeria in the 70s, and by the time it arrived it was cold and hard with balls in it so I'd rather go without. It wasn't much better when we finally got a cooker and made it incompetently for ourselves. Then I went to live with my uncle in Ibadan in the mid 80s where they made amala with love and I fell in love with it. Now my siblings insist I make amala for us all at every gathering while they cook the accompanying stews.

The elubọ (amala flour) must come from proper egbodo (whole dried yams), which must be pounded to bits in a mortar and grounded and sieved before the final cooking into which one must put some back muscle. A good stew to compliment is not optional.

I still hate ẹkọ as much as I hated it as a child, though my love for ogi is boundless. And on that note I'm gonna go have some, which is rare where I am.

I've always loved ogi. I don't know how someone can hate such plate of goodness but I haven't tasted amala. I feel I won't like it though.

I hope you enjoyed the ogi😂

Do you mind explaining what eko is? It's the first time I'm hearing the word

Stephen0mozzy:
I wouldn't say I can't get enough of Akpu now sha.

Mine was Akpu seductively known as Santana.

I couldn't bear to be in the same room where akpu was served let alone eat it. Then one day, Mumsi made it from scratch - fermented the cassava, and all that and mehn... It was so whiteee and starchy, I was cured of the discrimination that day.

Another one is watermelon.

That's cool
I still don't like fufu sha but watermelon? It's the first time I'm seeing someone that didn't like watermelons

Mine is beans.

As a kid, I'd do everything possible to avoid eating it. Now, I actually crave it and wonder why I disliked it so much. Especially when it's cooked with ripe plantain and a lot of crayfish

What's yours?

Let's see which food had the biggest glow-up.

By the way, if you're ever looking for good restaurants or hidden food spots to try, check out LocalBuka. You might discover your next favorite place.

AlphaTaikun:
An interesting thread.

What you wrote up there isn't a new recipe though. It is the all-time, famous "Smokey Party Jollof Rice recipe" format originally pioneered and made famous by the Yoruba people from the weekly Owanbe party scenes and naming ceremonies in the major Yoruba cultural epicenters located in Nigeria and around the major city centers worldwide. However from the 1960s through to the 1970s, rice and it's variants started becoming a ceremonial meal for New Year, Easter, Xmas and more leading to the popularity of Jollof rice recipes, coconut rice, fried rice, and more.

So, just as I stated, that is the original "Smokey Party Jollof Rice recipe which partly burns at the bottom of the pot leaving a great smokey aroma alongside the signature slightly peppery taste and orange color. The infusion of bay leaves, tomatoes, peppers, and the other aromatic ingredients is the key here.

However, I ALSO love Coconut Jollof rice and the basic Coconut rice which give a great aroma as well in addition to my favorite Smokey Party Jollof rice. You can also try the use of coconut milk to make your version of Jollof rice as it gives a break from eating the different types of Jollof rice recipes.

I hope that helps.[/b]

Thanks a lot for the information😊