Food

Yoruba cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that is heavily influenced by the local agricultural products, as well as the historical and cultural background of the Yoruba people.

Examples

Some of the most popular traditional Yoruba dishes include:

Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup

This is a staple dish in Yoruba cuisine, made with pounded yam (a starchy, mashed yam) and a thick, hearty soup made from ground melon seeds (egusi) and a variety of vegetables and meats.

Amala and Gbegiri Soup

This is another staple dish in Yoruba cuisine, made with amala (a type of starchy, dough-like food made from yam flour) and gbegiri soup (a thick, hearty soup made from ground beans and a variety of vegetables and meats)

Ewedu Soup

This is a leafy green soup that is made from the Ewedu plant, which is a climbing vine that is found in Nigeria. The soup is usually served with amala, semo, or eba.

Akara

This is a type of deep-fried bean cake that is made from black-eyed peas, onions, peppers, and spices. It is a popular snack food in Yorubaland and is often served with pap, a type of porridge made from ground corn.

Pottage

This is a type of stew that is made from a variety of vegetables and meats. It is a popular dish in Yorubaland and is often served with rice, yam or plantain.

Asaro

This is a type of pudding that is made from yam, which is grated, soaked in water and then mashed. It is then mixed with milk, sugar and nutmeg, and then boiled to make a thick pudding.

Yoruba cuisine

Yoruba cuisine is characterized by the use of a variety of spices, herbs, and flavorful ingredients, such as palm oil, ground crayfish, and pepper. Cooking methods are also varied and include boiling, stewing, frying, roasting, and grilling.