The Most Delicious Food in Nigeria, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most delicious!

Updated on Apr 12, 2024 06:35

Food enthusiasts often find themselves in a quandary over where to find the most scrumptious meals, especially in a culturally rich and diverse culinary landscape such as Nigeria. This situation can be particularly challenging for both locals and visitors eager to experience the best tastes the country has to offer. A compiled ranking of delectable Nigerian dishes could serve as a crucial guide. By casting votes for their preferred dishes, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that highlights the top culinary delights in Nigeria. This system not only aids individuals in making informed dining choices but also celebrates the culinary diversity found across the country. It's an engaging way for everyone to record their preferences and influence which dishes are considered the best by the collective palate.

What Is the Most Delicious Food in Nigeria?

1

79
votes
DromoTetteh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Jollof Rice

Jollof Rice is a one-pot dish made with rice, tomato sauce, onions, and a variety of spices. It is a staple at social gatherings and is loved for its spicy and flavorful taste.
Jollof Rice is a popular and flavorful Nigerian rice dish cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce. It is often enjoyed as a main course and is known for its vibrant red color and enticing aroma.

Flavor: Savory and aromatic

Ingredients: Rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and a variety of spices

Preparation: The rice and vegetables are sautéed and simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce until well-cooked and infused with flavors

Texture: Soft and fluffy rice grains with a slightly thick and moist consistency

Color: Vibrant red
Jollof Rice in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular dish in Sierra Leone
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular food in Mali
2

42
votes
Ask4ugo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Egusi Soup

Egusi Soup is a soup made with ground melon seeds, vegetables, and meat or fish. It is rich and creamy with a nutty flavor and is usually served with pounded yam or fufu.
Egusi Soup is a popular and delicious traditional Nigerian soup. It is a thick, flavorful soup made primarily from ground melon seeds and various other ingredients. The soup is known for its rich and creamy texture, as well as its unique and satisfying taste.

Main Ingredient: Ground melon seeds (egusi)

Meat or Fish: Typically prepared with either meat (such as beef, goat, or chicken) or fish (such as dried fish or stockfish)

Vegetables: Commonly includes vegetables such as spinach, bitter leaf, or pumpkin leaves

Aromatic Spices: Often seasoned with a combination of spices like dried chili peppers, onion, garlic, ginger, and traditional Nigerian seasoning blends

Additional Ingredients: May contain other ingredients like palm oil, crayfish, stock cubes, and assorted meats or seafood
Egusi Soup in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular soup in Nigeria
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular dish in Sierra Leone
3

22
votes
Suya

Suya is a popular street food made with skewered and grilled meat, typically beef, chicken or goat. It is seasoned with a spicy peanut-based dry rub and is a favorite snack or meal for many Nigerians.
Suya is a popular Nigerian street food known for its delicious and spicy flavors. It typically consists of skewered and grilled pieces of meat, usually beef, chicken, or goat, that are generously sprinkled with a special blend of spices before cooking. Suya is often enjoyed as a snack or a main course, and it is commonly sold by street vendors across Nigeria.

Type of Meat: Beef, chicken, or goat

Spices Used: A blend of groundnut powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and other secret ingredients

Grilling Method: Cooked over an open flame on a metal skewer

Flavor Profile: Spicy, smoky, savory

Serving Style: Usually served with sliced onions, tomatoes, and chili peppers as accompaniments
4

12
votes
Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup

Nigerian cuisine

Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup is a classic Nigerian dish made by pounding yam into a dough-like consistency, which is then served with a soup made from ground melon seeds and vegetables. It is a hearty and filling meal that is enjoyed across Nigeria.
Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup is a classic Nigerian dish that consists of pounded yam, a dough-like staple made from yam, served alongside a flavorful soup made from egusi seeds (melon seeds) and various other ingredients. It is a popular and highly satisfying meal enjoyed by many in Nigeria.

Main ingredients: Yam, egusi seeds

Yam processing: Yam is cooked and pounded into a smooth, dough-like consistency

Egusi seeds: Ground to create a paste-like consistency

Soup base: Prepared with palm oil, stock, and various spices

Additional ingredients: Leafy vegetables, meat (such as beef or fish)
5

17
votes
Akara

Akara is a deep-fried snack made from black-eyed peas, onions, and spices. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Akara is a popular Nigerian snack made from black-eyed peas (or other variations of beans) and spices. It is a deep-fried fritter that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Akara is a staple street food in Nigeria and is commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack throughout the day.

Main ingredient: Black-eyed peas or beans

Preparation method: The beans are soaked, peeled, and blended with spices such as onions, peppers, and salt. The mixture is then deep-fried in vegetable oil.

Shape: Akara is usually round, similar to a small patty or ball.

Texture: Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Color: Golden brown
6

5
votes
Moi Moi

Moi Moi is a steamed bean pudding made with ground black-eyed peas, peppers, onions, and spices. It is a popular side dish or snack and is often served with jollof rice or fried plantains.
Moi Moi is a popular Nigerian dish made from ground beans blended with a combination of spices, onions, and pepper. It is then steamed until cooked to a soft and fluffy consistency. Moi Moi is typically served as a side dish or snack and is enjoyed by people of all ages in Nigeria.

Main Ingredient: Beans

Spices: Onions, pepper, and other seasonings

Cooking method: Steamed

Consistency: Soft and fluffy

Serving: As a side dish or snack
7

8
votes
Shardayyy · CC BY 2.0

Efo Riro

Yoruba ethnic group

Efo Riro is a vegetable soup made with spinach, peppers, onions, and a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, or fish. It is a staple in the Yoruba cuisine of Nigeria and is often served with pounded yam or fufu.
Efo Riro is a popular Nigerian dish that originated from the Yoruba ethnic group. It is a delicious and savory vegetable soup made primarily with a combination of leafy greens, assorted meat or fish, and a blend of flavorful spices. The name 'Efo Riro' translates to 'mixed vegetables' in English, highlighting the key ingredients used in its preparation.

Region: Yoruba cuisine

Main ingredients: Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, amaranth, or pumpkin leaves), assorted meat or fish, palm oil, onions, peppers, locust beans (iru), crayfish, and seasonings

Preparation method: The leafy greens are blanched, drained, and finely chopped. The assorted meat or fish is cooked separately and set aside. A sauce is made by frying onions, peppers, and other spices in palm oil. The blanched vegetables, cooked meat or fish, and other ingredients are added to the sauce and simmered until well combined and flavorful.

Texture: Tender leafy greens in a thick and slightly grainy soup

Flavor profile: Rich, savory, and slightly spicy
Efo Riro in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular soup in Nigeria
8

14
votes
Pounded Yam and Vegetable Soup

Pounded Yam and Vegetable Soup is a hearty and nutritious meal made by pounding yam into a dough-like consistency, which is then served with a soup made from a variety of vegetables and meats. It is a popular meal in Nigeria and is enjoyed across the country.
Pounded Yam and Vegetable Soup is a popular Nigerian delicacy that consists of a smooth, fluffy and elastic mash made from boiled yam tubers, paired with a flavorful vegetable soup. The yam is traditionally pounded with a mortar and pestle to achieve the desired consistency.

Main Ingredients: Yam, assorted vegetables

Preparation Time: 1-2 hours

Cooking Time: 30-45 minutes

Serving Temperature: Hot

Region: West Africa
9

5
votes
Nancy Nwachukwu · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pepper Soup

Pepper Soup is a spicy soup made with a variety of meats, including goat, chicken, or fish, and a blend of spices and herbs. It is often served as an appetizer or a main course and is believed to have medicinal properties.
Pepper Soup is a popular Nigerian dish known for its spicy and flavorful broth. It is typically made with various types of meat, such as goat, chicken, or fish, and simmered in a rich blend of spices and herbs. The broth is often infused with pepper, giving the soup a fiery kick. Pepper Soup is commonly enjoyed as a main course or as a starter during festive occasions and gatherings.

Ingredients: Meat (goat, chicken, or fish), spices (such as uziza seeds, crayfish, ataiko, and scent leaves), onions, garlic, ginger, and pepper.

Preparation: The meat is usually seasoned with a mix of spices, then simmered in a pot of water or broth. The spices and herbs are added, including the key ingredient - pepper. The soup is cooked slowly to allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in a tantalizing and aromatic broth.

Spiciness Level: Pepper Soup is famous for its spiciness. The amount of pepper used can vary, but it is generally quite hot. It is not recommended for those with a low tolerance for spice.

Variations: Pepper Soup comes in different variations across Nigeria. Some popular variations include Goat Pepper Soup, Chicken Pepper Soup, Fish Pepper Soup, and Assorted Meat Pepper Soup.

Serving Style: Pepper Soup is often served piping hot in a bowl or deep plate. It is sometimes accompanied by a side of boiled yam, plantains, or rice.
Pepper Soup in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular dish in Sierra Leone
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular soup in Nigeria
10

7
votes
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0

Fried Rice

Fried Rice is a dish made by stir-frying rice with vegetables, eggs, and a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, or shrimp. It is a popular meal in Nigeria and is often served at social gatherings or as a side dish.
Fried rice is a popular Chinese dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with a variety of ingredients. It is typically seasoned with soy sauce, and can include vegetables, meat, or seafood for added flavor and texture.

Main Ingredients: Cooked rice, soy sauce, vegetables, meat or seafood

Cooking Method: Stir-frying

Preparation Time: Varies, generally around 15-20 minutes

Flavor: Savory and aromatic

Texture: Tender rice with a slightly crispy exterior
Fried Rice in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Asian dish
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Chinese food in America
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular dish at PF Chang's
- Position 8 of 10 in Most delicious Chinese food

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Discussion

Ranking factors for delicious food

Flavor

The taste and balance of spices and ingredients in the dish should be considered. Nigerian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and use of spices, so a delicious dish should have a great combination of tastes that highlights the diverse flavors in Nigerian cuisine.
Texture

The texture of the food is essential as it can enhance overall enjoyment of the dish. A combination of well-cooked tender meats, crunchy elements, and smooth sauces, for example, can create a satisfying eating experience.
Aroma

The smell of a dish is a significant factor in its overall appeal. Delicious Nigerian food should have a pleasant and inviting aroma that stimulates one's appetite.
Presentation

The visual appeal of a dish can enhance the overall eating experience. A delicious Nigerian dish should have an attractive presentation that showcases the vibrant colors and various ingredients used in the dish.
Cultural significance

Some Nigerian dishes have deep cultural roots or special significance in Nigerian traditions. These dishes may be considered more delicious due to their importance in the culture.
Ingredients

The quality, freshness, and variety of ingredients used in a dish contribute to its overall taste. Using high-quality ingredients and local produce can enhance a dish's flavor profile.
Popularity

Dishes that are widely loved and enjoyed by many Nigerians could be ranked higher due to their broad appeal.
Nutritional value

A balance of healthy ingredients and consideration for nutritional benefits can contribute to the overall deliciousness of a Nigerian dish.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most delicious food in Nigeria. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1712 views
209 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most delicious food in nigeria

Nigeria is a country with a diverse culinary culture that has been influenced by various ethnic groups and their traditional dishes. With over 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria has a wide range of delicious foods that are unique to each region. Nigerian cuisine is known for its use of spices, herbs, and flavorful ingredients, making it a favorite among food enthusiasts. One of the most popular dishes in Nigeria is jollof rice, a flavorful and aromatic rice dish that can be made with various meats, vegetables, and spices. Another popular dish is egusi soup, a hearty soup made with ground melon seeds, vegetables, and meat or fish. Suya, a spicy grilled meat skewer, is a popular street food that can be found in many cities across Nigeria. In addition to these popular dishes, Nigeria is also known for its rich desserts such as puff puff, a deep-fried doughnut-like snack, and chin chin, a crunchy snack made with flour, sugar, and spices. With such a wide variety of delicious foods, it's no wonder that Nigerian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular around the world.