Best local and ethnic foods in Enugu

Like Nigeria, Enugu cuisine is diverse, reflecting the city’s cultural and metropolitan outlook. Although you would find most national dishes from other ethnic groups in Enugu, we feature here only the local and ethnic foods that are indigenous to the Igbo ethnic group, where Enugu serves as the political capital.

Soups & fufu in Enugu

The cities of southeast Nigeria are famous for the variety and unmatched taste of the soups and stews served alongside fufu varieties. Some soups go well with different swallow. The waiter will advise on the best combination if you ask. Here is a sampling of the soups and stews that are available in Enugu restaurants.

Egusi

Egusi soup is a thick soup made from melon seeds, leafy vegetables, and various spices. It usually goes well with pounded yam fufu. Some people prefer to eat boiled rice with egusi stew.

Oha

A traditional Igbo soup so called because its major ingredient is the local Oha leaves. Oha is prepared with an assorted meat, offal and spices. For the adventurous, Oha goes well with cassava fufu.

Bitterlead

Bitterleaf soup is also popular among the Igbo. Its major ingredient is the bitterleaf vegetable. and it contains a dash of very pungent local seeds. It is also prepared with assorted meats and spices.

Fufu

Fufu is a staple food in the Nigerian cuisine and each ethnic group has varieties. You will often hear people ask for swallow – a variety of paste from cassava (garri and akpu), wheat, and corn. Most popular meals in Enugu include pounded yam fufu, cassava fufu, corn fufu, and fufu from starch. They are served with varieties of soups and stews.

Ofee Owere

Ofe Owere is fast becoming a national dish, popularized by Owerri people of Imo State. In most Igbo communities, it is called ofe nsala. The Owerri variety is an expensive dish, prepared with assorted meat, snails, dried fish and offal. It is also prepared with pumpkin (ugu) and okazie leaves while some chefs will add uziza or oha to make it an extraordinarily rich and nutritious dish. The major thickener is cocoyam (ede) or achi. Ofe Nsala is not as expensive, the reason Ofe Owere is regarded as food for the rich.

Other Varieties

There are tens of soups prepared exclusively by the Igbo people, all of which appeal to the Nigerian palate. Most are served in ethnic restaurants overseas. Among the ones indigenous to Enugu people are varieties of soups prepared from achi, akpalata, and efeleke nuts used to prepare soups called ukpor because of their unmatched tastes and richness. Of the three varieties, only achi in served in a few restaurants. You can enjoy the others as home made meals when invited to the homes of Indigenous Enugu people.

Ethnic dishes in Enugu

Here are the most famous local dishes you are likely to enjoy in the Coal City, whether you are just visiting or resident.

Abacha

Abacha is by far the most popular dish in Enugu. It is made from dried and shredded cassava, often served with vegetables, ugba (ukpaka), utazi leaves, and a spicy palm oil-based dressing.

Okpa

The Okpa pudding is the second most popular local dish in the Coal city. It is prepared from Bambara seeds and can be refrigerated for prolonged periods for the enjoyment of the family.

Ugba

Ugba is a standalone dish that looks very much like abacha. The difference is that it has no shredded cassava and is made exclusively from seeds extracted from ugba (bean seed). It goes well with local palm, foreign palm wine, and beer.

Isi Ewu

Isiewu (goat head pudding) is another popular delicacy found in restaurants in Enugu. It is made with goat head, spices, and raw palm fruit oil. It’s a flavorful dish often enjoyed at special occasions. It is often served in small bowls and is a popular choice for Indigenous Igbo in Enugu bars and restaurants

Nkwobi

Nkwobi is prepared the same way as Isiewu. The difference is that rather than use goat meat, nkwobi is  prepared as spicy cow foot or cow tripe, with rich pepper, utazi vegetable, and rich pepper sauce. Like Isiewu, it is also served in small bowls and has become a more popular choice in bars and restaurants.

Achicha

Achicha (also echicha in some dialects) is a tasty Igbo meal, rich in protein. Although basically a street food, the visitor can find this delicacy in some restaurants in Enugu. Achicha is made from dried cocoyam and is mixed with akidi and spices for a mouth-watering taste.

National Menu in Enugu

The cities of southeast Nigeria are famous for the variety and unmatched taste of the soups and stews served alongside fufu varieties. Some soups go well with different swallow. The waiter will advise on the best combination if you ask. Here is a sampling of the soups and stews that are available in Enugu restaurants.

Jollof Rice

Jollof Rice has become a popular West African dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices. There is a great debate over which of three countries – Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria – makes the best jollof. This debate is not ending soon. Jollof rice is often served with grilled or fried chicken, beef, or fish.

Akara & Moin-Moin

Both akara and moin-moin have one thing in common – they are Nigerian fritters made from black-eyed peas, ground into paste in their initial preparation. But this is where their similarity ends. Akara is deep-fried, while moin-moin is steamed, and both are commonly eaten as snacks or breakfast items. Also, a lot more ingredients are added into moin-moin unlike akara that can be prepared with only oil and onions.

Suya

Suya has become a national dish. It is however not indigenous to the southeast region, as it is a popular snack in the northern region of the country where it originated. Suya is grilled meat, usually beef or chicken, coated in a spicy peanut mixture. It is a popular street food in Nigeria, often served with sliced onions, tomatoes, and pepper.

Choosing best local and ethnic foods in Enugu

When exploring local and ethnic foods in Enugu, check out outlets that serve the individual dishes, especially in our Enugu City Directory. The most authentic tastes of these local and ethnic culinary delights can be found in local markets, street food stalls, and traditional restaurants. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask local taxi driver, the hotel bellman, or city guides for recommendations, as they can guide you to some hidden gems.