Igbo culture is one of the three primary cultures in Nigeria. Igbo foods are effortless and straightforward to cook and eat. Moreover, this type of food is welcomed not only by this tribe but also by all Nigerians. Here is a list of the top 10 tasty Igbo foods you can try.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Igbo is considered one of the three major tribes in Nigeria. It has unique customs, traditions, and music, but it’s necessary to concentrate on the food presented in Igbo culture.
- The key traditional foods for the Igbo people are vegetables, legumes, maize, cocoyam, cassava, and yams.
- In addition, cereals are also found to be one of the essential nutrients for the Igbo.
Top 10 tasty Igbo foods in Nigeria
Many dishes are connected with the major foods of Igbo people, like Nni Oka, Nni Akpu, Nni Ji, Onugbu, Okazi, Achi, and Oha. Many types of food served in Nigeria can be considered Igbo traditional foods.
It includes different soups, salads, and other types of dishes. Look at the top 10 Igbo foods in Nigeria when visiting Igbo land.
10. Yam with goat meat pepper soup
Source: UGC
In Nigeria, pepper soup, or Ukodo, is a typical family dish. Many people enjoy eating native soup in the evenings and at dinner. The primary ingredients in this meal are pepper and goat meat.
This is one of the most calorie-dense foods. It is high in carbohydrate complexes, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins B6 and B1. Here are the basic ingredients needed for this famous Igbo food.
- Goat meat
- two large onion bulbs
- Dry pepper
- Large tuber yams
- Salt
- Stock cubes
- Basil
- Dry Ashanti pepper leaves
9. Jollof rice with chicken
Source: UGC
What is the favourite food in Igbo? Jollof rice is a favourite and popular source of nutrition for the Igbo people and the rest of West Africa. The rice is cooked in a tomato-flavoured liquid. Jollof rice is made using beef, poultry, or fish.
It is a versatile dish that works well for both dinner and parties. The ingredients for Jollof rice with chicken are listed below.
- Sliced medium tomatoes
- Red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and quartered
- Small red onions diced
- Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero
- Vegetable oil
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (450g)
- Teaspoons of curry powder
- Teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups parboiled long grain rice (400g)
8. Ugu vegetable soup
Source: UGC
The Igbo soup has seafood, veggies, various portions of meat, and fluted pumpkin leaves. The soup is delicious and healthful, owing to the inclusion of Ugu leaves in its preparation.
The fluted pumpkin leaf, Ugu, grows in Nigeria and other tropical African countries. Pumpkin leaves are high in vitamins and minerals.
You can make this soup either with or without meat. If you want to add meat, you can use cow feet, beef, goat meat, dried cowhide, or chicken. The following ingredients are required for the preparation of Ugu soup.
- Ugu (pumpkin) leaves
- Palm oil
- Dried Fish
- Waterleaf
- Okporoko (stockfish)
- Crayfish
- Pepper
- Okpeyin
- Soup seasonings
7. Nkwobi
Source: UGC
This is one of Nigeria’s most popular meals. It is usually considered an evening meal, simply a cooked cow’s foot mixed in spicy palm oil paste. To make this delicious Igbo food recipe, you need to have the following ingredients.
- 2kg cow foot (cut into sizeable pieces)
- Palm oil
- 1 tablespoon powdered edible potash
- 1 teaspoon ground Ehu seeds
- Utazi leaves
- Ugba
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- 2 habanero peppers (or to your taste)
- 1 medium onion
- 2 big stock cubes
- Salt
6. Yam porridge
Source: UGC
Another delectable meal you may prepare is yam porridge, known as Asaro. It is cooked in a well-seasoned pepper combination with yams until soft and fluffy.
There are numerous methods to prepare yams. It could be fried, boiled, or even roasted. Of course, you can always add vegetables to the meal to offer green colour. All of the ingredients you will need are listed below.
- Pieces of diced yams
- 2 cups of chopped and mixed vegetables
- 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (chopped)
- Large-sized dry fish
- Medium-sized onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. ginger, minced
- A cup of dried prawns (optional)
- A handful of scent leaves chopped (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp. of vegetable oil for frying
- Salt, curry, black pepper, and extra seasoning cubes to taste
5. Ofe Onugbu
Source: UGC
Also known as Bitterleaf soup, this is one of Nigeria’s top five Igbo foods. It is indigenous to the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria. This soup can be made from Achi, Ogbono, Ofor, cocoa yam, or melon seeds. The following ingredients are used to make this traditional Igbo dish:
- Meat of your choice (beef, turkey, pork, or chicken)
- Pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- Ground crayfish
- Achi (pounded)
- Palm oil
- Knorr or Maggi
- Bitter leaf
- Assorted stockfish and dry fish
- Ogiri Igbo (one teaspoon)
4. Ogbono soup
Source: UGC
Ogbono soup is produced from ground-dried Ogbono seeds. The ground seeds thicken the soup and give it a dark appearance. It often comprises meat or fish seasonings such as chile pepper, leaf vegetables, and others. The soup has a similar mucilaginous texture to Okra soup. Here are the necessary ingredients:
- 2 handfuls of Ogbono seeds or ground Ogbono powder
- Assorted meat and fish
- Cooking spoonful of palm oil
- Vegetables (spinach, pumpkin leaves, or bitter leaf)
- Crayfish
- Bulb onion
- Stick cubes
- Chilli pepper or scotch bonnet
- Salt
3. Ukwa
Source: UGC
Ukwa, known as breadfruit porridge, is a traditional Nigerian dish that many love. It is prepared from the Treculia Africana tree’s fruit, also known as African breadfruit.
Ukwa is an excellent source of many nutrients, such as vitamin C, folic acid, and beta-carotene. It is an excellent dinner option for people who have diabetes. Here are the ingredients you will need to make Ukwa.
- Fresh breadfruit seeds
- 3/4 teaspoons of potash Akaun
- 100 grams of dry prawns or fish
- 3 diced scotch bonnet peppers
- Palm oil
- Ground crayfish
- Flavour cubes of salt and pepper to taste
- Diced red onion
- Vegetable (optional)
- Sweet corn or boiled maize (optional)
2. Okro soup
Source: UGC
Okro soup is a popular and delicious stew that is enjoyed by the majority of people in Nigeria. The soup is made with Okro veggies simmered in a delectable mixture of palm oil, shrimp, goat meat, fish, and African spices. The following are the primary ingredients needed to make this soup.
- Bowl of finely chopped Okro
- Fresh pumpkin leaves
- A cup of fish stock
- Beef or goat meat
- A kilogram of shaki
- Frozen mackerels of medium size
- Smoked or dried fish
- Salt and pepper
- Palm oil
- Ground crayfish
1. Akwu and Oha soup
Source: UGC
Oha soup, also known as Ofe, is a traditional Nigerian delicacy native to the eastern section of the country. Cocoyam is traditionally used to thicken the soup; however, Achi or Ofor can also be utilised. The ingredients used to make these Igbo snacks include:
- Fresh vegetables (Ora leaves)
- Assorted meat
- A small bunch of Uziza leaves
- Medium-sized dry fish
- Seasoning cubes
- Slat to taste
- Yellow or red scotch bonnet pepper
- A tablespoon of Ogiri
- Crayfish
- Medium-sized stockfish
- Cooking oil
What is the most popular Igbo food?
The most popular Igbo food is fufu, which is served with soups like egusi, ofe onugbu (bitterleaf soup), or oha soup, which are staples in Igbo culture. These meals are loved for their rich flavours, nutritional value, and cultural significance during gatherings and festivals.
Is agidi an Igbo food?
Yes, agidi is an Igbo food made from corn flour, often served as a light meal or accompaniment to soups and stews. It is popular in many Igbo communities and also enjoyed by other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
What is the most expensive food in Igbo land?
Jollof rice or ofe nsala (white soup) made with fresh catfish or goat meat is considered the most expensive food. The cost rises with premium ingredients and preparation. During big occasions like weddings and festivals, these dishes are highly valued and can be costly to prepare in large quantities.
Who is the father of the Igbo people?
The father of the Igbo people is traditionally believed to be Eri, a legendary ancestor said to have been sent by God to establish and lead the Igbo race. He is regarded as the progenitor of many Igbo communities, especially in Anambra State.
The top 10 tasty Igbo foods mentioned above are famous for Igbo cuisine. Igbo are masters in preparing their food. Therefore, I need to visit Igboland.
Legit.n to try new, colourful ts te, recently published an article with a recipe for making chicken curry at home. Chicken curry sauce is a favourite treat for many Nigerians. There are many different ways to make it.
Nigerians enjoy experimenting with varied flavours; therefore, they have many distinct recipes for the chicken curry sauce. Once you have mastered the curry sauce, you can devise a special recipe for your family.
Source: Legit.ng
