For those who are of the light of pocket(like I currently am) or not!
If you asked me what the 3 most popular street foods in Abuja were, my immediate response would be Akara, Fried Yam and Suya. I’d probably be 75% right. Why 75%? I don’t know, just made that up…lol. However, I’m willing to admit that I can only speak about the things I know about. So, while I do know that fura de nunu (sp) is readily available street food, I can’t very well discuss something I know nothing about can I?
*Note to self* - Try Fura de nunu someday soon – write a report!
Back to what I do know about:
Akara, when made right is a golden brown fritter with hints of pepper, onions and seasoning. Made from ground beans, it's soft when you bite into it yet crispy on the outside. My favorite place to get akara is this spot across from the Dollar pharmacy in Asokoro. I've tried many different places in my area but this one beats them all. Usually available early in the morning or in the evening, it’s an easy breakfast or dinner. It is quick and very affordable at 5 naira each and you can get it with Stew or Yaaji.
In Abuja, anywhere you find Akara you will most certainly find Fried Yam. They are sold together like bread and butter. I don’t typically like yam. At home when it comes to yam, I sound like that character in Dr Seuss's Green Ham and Eggs. I do not like it boiled, I do not like it grilled, I do not like it fried and I most certainly don’t like it in porridge. For some reason though, Fried yam from the street is the only exception to my otherwise all encompassing dislike of yam. Don’t ask me why, ‘cos I really don’t know. I suspect it might be the choice of yam or maybe the temperature of the oil. I like it with just a quick dip in good yaji. I’ve tried to duplicate it at home to no avail.
When I was younger, Beef suya(Roasted meat with a spicy rub) was one of the best treats that my mum could bring home on her way back from work. To me, better than all the candy my snack money could buy. Lol! Imagine my surprise when I moved to abj and discovered that there was actually something better; Ram suya. What's the big deal? You ask. Ram typically has more body fat which translates to mmmmh very flavorful meat on the grill. Meat that is softer and achieves a depth of flavor that some how beef suya never does. It's lil pricier than beef but so worth it.
Maybe someday I'll do a post about some other street foods like Okpa, Masa and Fura de Nunu. I'd add Bole but I have seen it any place in abj yet. Know of a good place? Recommend it to me.
Useful to know
Yaji -Suya Spice blend, normally includes cloves, ginger, cayenne pepper amongst others.
If you asked me what the 3 most popular street foods in Abuja were, my immediate response would be Akara, Fried Yam and Suya. I’d probably be 75% right. Why 75%? I don’t know, just made that up…lol. However, I’m willing to admit that I can only speak about the things I know about. So, while I do know that fura de nunu (sp) is readily available street food, I can’t very well discuss something I know nothing about can I?
*Note to self* - Try Fura de nunu someday soon – write a report!
Back to what I do know about:
Akara, when made right is a golden brown fritter with hints of pepper, onions and seasoning. Made from ground beans, it's soft when you bite into it yet crispy on the outside. My favorite place to get akara is this spot across from the Dollar pharmacy in Asokoro. I've tried many different places in my area but this one beats them all. Usually available early in the morning or in the evening, it’s an easy breakfast or dinner. It is quick and very affordable at 5 naira each and you can get it with Stew or Yaaji.
In Abuja, anywhere you find Akara you will most certainly find Fried Yam. They are sold together like bread and butter. I don’t typically like yam. At home when it comes to yam, I sound like that character in Dr Seuss's Green Ham and Eggs. I do not like it boiled, I do not like it grilled, I do not like it fried and I most certainly don’t like it in porridge. For some reason though, Fried yam from the street is the only exception to my otherwise all encompassing dislike of yam. Don’t ask me why, ‘cos I really don’t know. I suspect it might be the choice of yam or maybe the temperature of the oil. I like it with just a quick dip in good yaji. I’ve tried to duplicate it at home to no avail.
150 Naira worth of Akara and Fried Yam
When I was younger, Beef suya(Roasted meat with a spicy rub) was one of the best treats that my mum could bring home on her way back from work. To me, better than all the candy my snack money could buy. Lol! Imagine my surprise when I moved to abj and discovered that there was actually something better; Ram suya. What's the big deal? You ask. Ram typically has more body fat which translates to mmmmh very flavorful meat on the grill. Meat that is softer and achieves a depth of flavor that some how beef suya never does. It's lil pricier than beef but so worth it.
Maybe someday I'll do a post about some other street foods like Okpa, Masa and Fura de Nunu. I'd add Bole but I have seen it any place in abj yet. Know of a good place? Recommend it to me.
Useful to know
Yaji -Suya Spice blend, normally includes cloves, ginger, cayenne pepper amongst others.
If there's one thing I know for a fact that I absolutely love, it's FOOD!! I love learning about how it is grown, the very many ways it can be prepared. The myriad of flavors cooked up by differing cultures and tweaked in the minds of some brave souls all made available to my adventurous palate. I’m never afraid to try something new and it helps that I have a cast iron stomach too. You know, to weather the duds and the horribly bad.
What am I going to try to do with this blog? I’m going to try my best to visit the many restaurants available in Abuja and find out where the best eats and best values are. In addition to traditional Nigerian cuisines, there are also options ranging from Thai to French cuisine available. Along the way, I hope to showcase some of the best, throw in some traditional and not so traditional recipes and whatever comes to mind that is remotely food n naija related.
Did I mention I am a Corper? A Corper is someone who is currently performing the 1 year of National Service required of all Nigerian University and Polytechnic graduate under the age of 30. Typically characterized by limited disposable income, lol! This means that pricing automatically becomes a major factor in this venture.
Aiight! Lets see how this goes….
What am I going to try to do with this blog? I’m going to try my best to visit the many restaurants available in Abuja and find out where the best eats and best values are. In addition to traditional Nigerian cuisines, there are also options ranging from Thai to French cuisine available. Along the way, I hope to showcase some of the best, throw in some traditional and not so traditional recipes and whatever comes to mind that is remotely food n naija related.
Did I mention I am a Corper? A Corper is someone who is currently performing the 1 year of National Service required of all Nigerian University and Polytechnic graduate under the age of 30. Typically characterized by limited disposable income, lol! This means that pricing automatically becomes a major factor in this venture.
Aiight! Lets see how this goes….
