My obsession with Nigerian food is unreal. I had to learn how to make it. Thanks to my ex-boyfriend and Nigerian friends for introducing me to Nigerian food. Now I have to make it at least once every week. I wish I had the words to describe what that pounded yam and egusi does to my soul! 😭😭😭 it’s just woooooow. Y’all should try!
My university department used to have international lunches where everyone would be invited to bring a dish from their home country. Most people were a bit lazy and just brought cake or other sweet things, but our Nigerian colleagues were the ones who would bring savoury food so we'd all end up eating these delicious stews and swallows then our mouths would be on fire for the rest of the day 🤣 I have zero spice tolerance but it all tasted gooooood....
Hey Beryl it’s Amaka thanks for having me on. I really appreciate it. So happy to finally be apart of your episode. Yay! Anyone that hasn’t tried nigerian food please try it, it’s good and spicy!
It’s been many years since I had Nigerian food. My aunt lived there (as part of a UN group) in the 1960s, during the Civil War. She fell in love with the people, the variety of food, the culture…and she learned to cook many of the dishes. She brought back a half kilo of the pepper. I twas so hot that it made my macho high school chemistry teacher - who was Mexican by heritage - cry. Heh. (Of course, it also made me cry!) Loved the flavors. Loved the hibiscus tea! (Forgot it was Nigerian…just ordered some from Amazon. Heh.)
I also get irritated with people who talk down on cultures where food is typically eaten with your hands. For some reason many of them conveniently forget they eat food with their hands.too! Pizza, hot dogs, tacos, sandwiches, etc. Yes, most of those foods are wrapped or held in bread but there’s also chicken wings, BBQ ribs, nachos, ice cream cones and more that are “messy”. Embrace all the good food and culture and be happy!
The downside of the growing popularity of South East Asian food has been people who are not SEA telling people how to eat and just being wrong. A lot of dishes served with sticky rice can be eaten with your hands.
Basically swallow is an umbrella term for eba, fufu, amala, pounded yam, starch, farina etc basically every mashed looking accompaniment used to eat soup
I'm from Brazil and my family is from the Northeast region, known for the african heritage, and of course, DELICIOUS FOOD! It's so interesting to realize that those Nigerian dishes were brought to Brazil centuries ago and we can still appreciate the food and ingredients nowadays (and some of those dishes keep almost the same name, like akara = acara jé in Brazil)
I love that the three Nigerians that were suggesting foods were from different regions! I’m Nigerian as well and I love our food! ❤ There was no need to put tomatoes and onions on the amala and okra soup. I don’t think that’d taste good but who knows 😂😂
The hand thing is crazy. My best friends are African and Indian and my wife is Filipino. They all appreciate it when I try as they do. Most nights, we eat only hands at home. The keyboard warriors will always be. They are usually culturally insensitive and lost about the norms of the world. Love your videos always.
I mean, as long as your hands are clean, it shouldn't matter. I've eaten mashed potatoes dipped in corn and gravy with my hands. I'm from northeastern America. A lot of bone-in meats, barbecue, pickles, filled pocket doughs, they're are all eaten by hand here, and you get might get a weird look if you're eating them with a knife and fork, but generally, it's just whatever you're comfortable with. There's something very enjoyably tactile about seeing, feeling, and then tasting your food.
@@bobsrx792 In Brazil we mostly eat pizza with a fork and knife because it have sooooo much filling and the crust is so thin you couldn't eat a slice with your hands and not make a big mess 😂
@@bobsrx792 where I'm from, these days they give you rubber gloves to eat burgers, wings, etc. I'm an old fart, so I think this trend is stupid, and if you don't want to get your hands dirty, would rather people just use utensils. But young people value the black (rubber) glove treatment, apparently.
I love seeing food from the many countries in Africa. We don't often recognize or celebrate African culinary traditions and that really needs to change.
i always tell ppl hibiscus tastes like cranberries, if you add sugar to it, cranberry juice is what it tastes like. the hibiscus flower powder is brilliant in cakes!
Thank you so much for that! I have had unsweetened hibiscus tea, but never had unsweetened cranberries (can't get them through Customs here in Australia). I've always wondered what unsweetened cranberries taste like - and now you've answered my question! (-:
You are right Beryl, the red hibiscus flower is naturally sour. In a part of Nigeria, there is also the white hibiscus variety which is sautéed and made into a savory and sour dish called isapa
My Nigerian hubby talked over this so much I barely heard lol but he seemed to approve. He just yelled at the onion and tomato on the okra stew (something like No!!! They spoiled the food now!), diff strokes for diff folks, right. But then he laughed at maybe being a keyboard warrior indeed, so all good. 😊 I just want that hibiscus tea tbh.
I went to a boarding school for girls with behavioral problems in Massachusetts that is no longer running and the Majority of the staff were from west Africa and Nigeria. They were Amazing with us, and LOVED to share their cuisine and culture with those of us who were interested. They understood that most of us were acting out because of trauma and/or being unwanted by our families. To this day I surprise West African's with THICK Accents when I understand what they are saying with ease, it is the same with Nigerian's as well 😂. I also have to credit my toxic Narcissistic parents for ingraining " Eat first ask questions later," into my brain from birth till 15 when they didn't want me anymore ( Yeah they are a special kind of wonderful). Now I have to ask some questions about the food so I don't DIE. Like are there Apples, pineapple, peanuts, nuts, or coconut in it, I mean apples I can tell IMMEDIATELY Because someone can cook apples on another floor of the building and be on the opposite end and I will start itching and having trouble breathing 🙄. VERY ANNOYING Because in America they sneak apple EVERYWHERE, Seriously look at the ingredients even apple cider vinegar sets me off. FYI If you live in the Upper East Coast USA and have a Birch Tree Allergy BEWARE of Apples, Quinces, and pears Especially during your peak allergy season, you can have an allergic reaction out of Nowhere, and each reaction will be worse and worse.
What you called Buka ( I e Yoruba word for tent- street food sold under tent/ Mama put which is a slag for local food seller) is actually called 'Obe ata' or 'Ayamashe ' soup. It is a very spicy stew but fried with variety of meat cooked with it.. I love it with cooked rice, it also goes well with cooked Yam, or plantain. Thanks
My favorite Nigerian food is akara. Black eyed pea fritters 🤤 I've had them served with spicy tomato sauce, jallof rice, more black eyed peas but stewed in a spicy sauce, greens, and fried plantains. One of the best meals I've ever had.
Guess why babies and most toddlers refuse to eat with utensils? Because it is so damn convenient AND they obviously know the flavours are much better when they eat with their own hands! Kids are smart, we should learn a thing or two from them!
Asaro's cousin (Ikokore) made from what we call Water yam is equally delightful. It requires more effort than the regular, but it's sooo worth it. The newspaper thar sugar comes in is an ingredient, as well. Lol The Ila alasepo could be better, though. This doesn't look like it has any of the stew component of the 'asepo'
The timing of this is so cool. My intern who is from Nigeria(I am from Mauritius) was actually making and selling nigerian food as a side hustle while she is studying. She recommended I tried the Jollof rice and I bought some bowls from her. Thoroughly enjoyed it! The spice and the flavours were amazing! I grew up with Indian cuisine- being from Indian descent- and I have to say, it really felt like a comfort food. ♥
@@Mentu_footwear The main ingredient in all Suya spice is peanut powder. it's such a simple thing to look up, why you on here calling me a liar when you could be educating yourself.
So glad you tried Nigerian food. My husband and children are Nigerian and I’m from the southern U.S. so we have a lot of fusion meals. So glad you enjoyed all the meals.
One of the more interesting ingredients of Suya is spiced peanut powder made from a cookie. There's a place called Voila Afrique in Midtown East which makes a good version as well.
Funny thing about fufu 'swallow', it reminded me of the Indian dish Raagi mudde (dumpling made with ragi/ finger millet) which is also meant to be swallowed. It's generally paired with stew or spicy dal and eaten with hands. Can't wait to try fufu!
I am from Bangalore Karnataka and we have ragi mudde (finger millet dough ball) that we eat with curry which looks very similar to Foufou. It amazes me how someone in Nigeria or Ghana eat something so similar to ragi mudde. Thanks for bringing the world close with your beautiful content Beryl, you're a visionary ❤ . The fried fish yam dish looks very exciting, hope I get to try that :) Ps I don't know about yam swallow but ragi mudde is supposed to be swallowed directly, like you take very small bite scoop some curry and swallow directly and eat your veggies, lentils or meat on the side with it
Oh my god everything looks so super delish! Love from India. I'm sure Indians will love Nigerian food because most of us love spice and layers of flavour too, which Indian food is known for as well.
I LOVE the spice of Nigerian food.🔥 My brother-in-law makes this dish with goat and a sause with dried baby shrimp and habeneros. It blews your scalp off with heat, but it's so good you just keep going back for more punishment! 🌶haha And I always eat with my hands at Indian restaurants... And I use chopsticks at East Asian restaurants. Same thing.
Humanity should be like food. All sorts of different ingredients coming together to make something harmonious and wonderful. Loved discovering your channel, and seeing your passion for food and for your subscribers. Thanks for all your effort and that contagious smile 😃
This comment will probably get buried but this has motivated me to go to my local Nigerian restaurant and local market and get ALL these foods. So excited to explore all the great meals from Nigeria.
I think you should try food from Nepal! I love a good momo, and there are so many delicious curries. I selfishly would love to hear more recommendations from your expert audience 😊
Many fail to realise how GREAT African foods taste. I'm Indian but I would certainly choose African or Carribbean foods over Indian foods because they have similar depth in flavours
These all look fabulous! For me hibiscus tea is a year round drink. Hot in the winter, iced in the summer. It has tons of antioxidants, vitamin C, anthocyanins, and fights inflammation. Can’t ask for much more.
Thank you for this video, Beryl! I was so honoured to see my country's cuisine being represented. Just to answer some of your questions, zobo (hibiscus drink) is very diverse and sweetened according to taste. You can add ingredients like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, pineapple and lemon to sweeten (that may explain the sour taste you were getting). Fufu, amala and other foods you eat with the soups are all called `'swallow" because you usually just swallow it without having to chew I would love to see you try other soups like gbegiri, ewedu and egusi.
I once had a Nigerian bf & he cooked something for me. Made 2 versions: 1 for me (which was major spicy) & 1 even spicier for him! I feel for you Beryl. I know how spicy Nigerian food is!
I don't see why people would be angry at eating with hands. I am a Westerner and I know I eat plenty of finger foods, so a slightly different finger food that is basically a bread to scoop stew does not bother me. I'd love to try these, but I don't think there is much Nigerian food around my area.
These all looked so good. That I know of, I've never had Nigerian food. (I lived in L. A. for decades and I've enjoyed sooooo many different cuisines from around the world, but I don't remember having had Nigerian food.) Thanks for awakening my curiosity, Beryl; if I ever have the opportunity to have Nigerian food, I shall certainly avail myself of it.
I love how you stood up for the cultural way of eating 😄🖐🏻👌🏼🫳🏾🫴🏿🫶🏼 I really like seeing and learning about what is for me, "strange" dishes. I mean it in a good way, ingredients and spices I never knew about, it's super inspiring for me. Thank you for the upload! 💜💜💜
Hey Beryl, great vid! Well done for trying our food! The okro needed a stew/red soup on it, thats what would bring the spice. Amala is a yoruba fav, and we love spice. If its not spicy, it's not right lol
Zobo or sorrel is chuke here in Bengali and I love it! We actually turn it into a chutney made with sugar and some cinnamon. The leaves are edible too! Chuke is a rare treat and so many people don't know what it is. Even I was surprised to learn it's enjoyed in Africa and the Caribbean. My best bet is some colonialist brought it over to India once upon a time and some of us really liked it lol.
Alllll of those look amazing !! Hibiscus tea has always been my favorite I love the tang and it's just so refreshing apparently it's also good for women to use during their menstrual cycle
Oh my God! I love that you sat and are an entire row of Nigerian food! Mad respect! I'm Nigerian living in Nigeria by the way, and I can tell you, I was scared for you during a couple of dishes, like the amala, but that was mostly because I didn't know if the restaurant left out the stew you were supposed to eat with it. All in all, I'm so glad for this video, and that you enjoyed the food.
5:48 I know it as sorrel. Haven't made it in years. Sooo good! Easy to go through the half gallon I used to make. I can get close to it by steeping Republic of Tea's hibiscus offering. Even as-is it's pretty good. If you make yer own be careful with the dried sorrel when you steep it. It will dye white cloth.
Hibiscus is quite tart tasting, it makes me think of cranberries. I don't usually have it sweetened but most people would add sugar. I love it hot in winter and cold in summer ☺
I used to teach Burmese ethnic students and they will always eat with their hands. They would mix the curries with rice to make it denser. I agree with you, it's culture and also the best away of eating!
Beryl, you're doing such a good job sharing different cultural meals and your authenticity always radiates through your video. You thought me how to appreciate all foods no matter the taste or texture. Keep going cos you're doing an amazing job
Hi Beryl, thanks for featuring Nigerian 🇳🇬 food in this episode! Just wanted to point out that 🇳🇪 is the flag for Niger, not Nigeria... it was my first time visiting a Nigerian restaurant in norhern Germany today. The food is amazing! The restaurant is officially advertised as Western African cuisine (as most non-European restaurants in Germany who choose to offer a 'variety' of regional cuisines), but I noticed the 🇳🇬 flag on the wall, and the menu does feature the dishes mentioned in the video.
Yumm I have to try my local Nigerian restaurant next and try suya! Also please do Chinese food next! There's so many unique dishes people don't usually order
Idk maybe some people have an aversion to eating with there hands. I have had this problem since I was a kid I can't touch a lot textures with my hand but still that's my problem. I would never get upset at someone for how they eat, this kind of thing can be culturally significant as much as the food itself.
Your channel is for sure the most treasured to me! Food unites us all and it makes us understand and appreciate different cultures even more! Thank you so much beryl for educating us with each video!💞 How about a delivery episode about a country you haven't tried dishes from yet?
The food looks so yummy. Being an Indian, every time you said "spicy" my mouth starts to water. We love spices and hot food. But I am vegetarian hence won't be able to try most of the recipes.
My step dad's family is from India and they eat with their hands. My mother would always get on my case for joining them in on eating Indian foods with our hands but when she was not around, she could not stop me LOL She would definitely be one of the keyboard warriors if she could figure out the internet
Your mom married a guy from India but was mad that you used your hands to eat Indian food when you were with his side of the family? Wow. She should have been proud that you learned to eat your stepdad's food in a respectful manner.
White folks eat solids with their hands but not even tiny bit fluidy with hands which is weird because in both cases you gotta wash your hands properly before and after
I love your channel, reminds me of places I have been. My late husband traveled the world for work and I went with him. Meals are always better then you use all your sense’s including touch when you eat with your hands
Lol it the way you decorated the Okro for me , fancy you. Glad you love the foods but you need to try amala with gbegiri ( bean soup ) or akara and pap for breakfast next time
Dear TH-cam algorithm keep pushing this channel through because we need a regular dose of Beryl in our lives. Please and thank you. Ps: love this series 🥰
@@21972012145525 I'm wishing good numbers on her channel, I think you didn't understand the comment in reference to the video. I am subscribed, actually since the very beginning.
I apologize if someone else already mentioned this, but you asked if the hibiscus drink had something sour in it. Hibiscus is loaded with vitamin C which has a naturally sour flavor, so yes, the hibiscus tea is going to be a bit sour. That's why so many cultures that have a hibiscus drink sweeten them. I did see that someone mentioned Jamaican sorrel (a personal summer-time favorite), but there are a few others from various cultures.
Hibiscus tea is also a Mexican agua fresca, jamaica. The flower petals are actually tangy sour tasting. It is good for the urinary track, similar to cranberry juice.
I really wish u would do an ordering pakistani food video.... i know you've done various indian cuisine episodes, and so many people think that pakistani and indian cuisines are same but no, they aren't. Can u please do one? I really feel like people don't know much (if not anything) about pakistani cuisine. Really really waiting and hoping for such a video 🥹 AND great video as always! I always look forward to them 🤍✨️
Eating with only your hands is a great joy. Reminds me of vacation days by the pool or beach and having a Filipino boodle fight - swathes of banana leaves on the table with a plethora of Filipino food on it; barbecued pork, rice, some tomato and salted egg salad, green mango with a side of sauteed bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste, but not like belacan or the Thai version),chicken and/or pork adobo cooked to be almost dry, grilled fish, or probably anything~ Great having a bottle or two of local pale pilsen with it too!
I think the thing I love most about your channel is seeing how many completely BEAUTIFUL people there are all over the world. The food is stupendous, too. Love your videos. Have you done Ghanan or South African food? Or Chilean? I would to see Mongolian, but that may be slim pickings!
Thank you for the honour Beryl! I loved every part of it! And I love you!❤️❤️❤️ I also have more African recipes on my channel!🥰🥰
Yeah. I was surprised you didn’t include akara, or moi moi etc
You folks were *great*, and I’m enjoying your channel, too!
@@IffeMalli oh okay. Great video
@@debgeisler4568 thank you!❤️
@@fa6534 I think she couldn't get that
My obsession with Nigerian food is unreal. I had to learn how to make it. Thanks to my ex-boyfriend and Nigerian friends for introducing me to Nigerian food. Now I have to make it at least once every week.
I wish I had the words to describe what that pounded yam and egusi does to my soul! 😭😭😭 it’s just woooooow. Y’all should try!
My favourite food right it’s indescribable as you stated ❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
😀😀"the soul part got me" ❤️
My university department used to have international lunches where everyone would be invited to bring a dish from their home country. Most people were a bit lazy and just brought cake or other sweet things, but our Nigerian colleagues were the ones who would bring savoury food so we'd all end up eating these delicious stews and swallows then our mouths would be on fire for the rest of the day 🤣 I have zero spice tolerance but it all tasted gooooood....
african food and zero spice tolerance-dont go together🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's an honor to be one of the 3 people here introducing you to Nigerian food, glad you loved it
You ladies were all *delightful*! Thank you for sharing your food culture with all of us!
Hey Beryl it’s Amaka thanks for having me on. I really appreciate it. So happy to finally be apart of your episode. Yay! Anyone that hasn’t tried nigerian food please try it, it’s good and spicy!
It’s been many years since I had Nigerian food. My aunt lived there (as part of a UN group) in the 1960s, during the Civil War. She fell in love with the people, the variety of food, the culture…and she learned to cook many of the dishes. She brought back a half kilo of the pepper. I twas so hot that it made my macho high school chemistry teacher - who was Mexican by heritage - cry. Heh. (Of course, it also made me cry!) Loved the flavors. Loved the hibiscus tea! (Forgot it was Nigerian…just ordered some from Amazon. Heh.)
@@debgeisler4568 lol tell me why I just went on Amazon looking for hibiscus tea as well! Lol
You're beautiful
I love Suya, Fufu, Àkàrà, Gari, Adalu and Jollof! Loooove Nigerian food especially pepper soup!
We share the same name 😅😊
I also get irritated with people who talk down on cultures where food is typically eaten with your hands. For some reason many of them conveniently forget they eat food with their hands.too! Pizza, hot dogs, tacos, sandwiches, etc. Yes, most of those foods are wrapped or held in bread but there’s also chicken wings, BBQ ribs, nachos, ice cream cones and more that are “messy”. Embrace all the good food and culture and be happy!
French fries, asparagus, hamburgers, etc.
And many more 😊
The downside of the growing popularity of South East Asian food has been people who are not SEA telling people how to eat and just being wrong. A lot of dishes served with sticky rice can be eaten with your hands.
Basically swallow is an umbrella term for eba, fufu, amala, pounded yam, starch, farina etc basically every mashed looking accompaniment used to eat soup
I'm from Brazil and my family is from the Northeast region, known for the african heritage, and of course, DELICIOUS FOOD!
It's so interesting to realize that those Nigerian dishes were brought to Brazil centuries ago and we can still appreciate the food and ingredients nowadays (and some of those dishes keep almost the same name, like akara = acara jé in Brazil)
The Yoruba influence is strong in Brazil.
I have just moved to Salvador. Acarajé and abará are my favorites! Adoro vatapá também.
Yeah that's the real name akaraje
In the Caribbean, Zobo is called Sorrel. We spice it with cinnamon, clove, and ginger, some people add bitters. We drink it on special occasions
In Mexico, hibiscus tea is called agua de Jamaica. we don't spice it just sweeten it with sugar. So good!
In Senegal it’s called “Jus de Bissap” or just Bissap, and made with mint :)
Lol just said the same thing 😅 I should have read the comments first 😆 🤣
It makes sense because the roselle hibiscus is native to west africa and the drink probably travelled with enslaved people to the Caribbean.
And it’s naturally quite tart before being sweetened.
I love that the three Nigerians that were suggesting foods were from different regions! I’m Nigerian as well and I love our food! ❤
There was no need to put tomatoes and onions on the amala and okra soup. I don’t think that’d taste good but who knows 😂😂
Exactly. A Yoruba lady, an Igbo lady and a Northern lady.
Exactly 💯 it was so funny when she added sliced onion and tomatos 🤣
The sour is from the hibiscus itself! It has a naturally sour flavor that’s balanced out by the sugar. It’s similar to agua de jamaica
I think it is jamaica, isn't it? I thought they were the same thing?
@@aaronsirkman8375 Yes, they are the same flower. 🌺
I was gonna say the same thing! Hibiscus is naturally quite sour especially if little/no sweetener added.
It is exactly the same thing as agua de jamaica.
The hand thing is crazy. My best friends are African and Indian and my wife is Filipino. They all appreciate it when I try as they do. Most nights, we eat only hands at home. The keyboard warriors will always be. They are usually culturally insensitive and lost about the norms of the world. Love your videos always.
I guess those people who complain, eat pizza, tacos, burgers, wings, etc, with a knife and fork?? 🤣
I mean, as long as your hands are clean, it shouldn't matter. I've eaten mashed potatoes dipped in corn and gravy with my hands. I'm from northeastern America.
A lot of bone-in meats, barbecue, pickles, filled pocket doughs, they're are all eaten by hand here, and you get might get a weird look if you're eating them with a knife and fork, but generally, it's just whatever you're comfortable with.
There's something very enjoyably tactile about seeing, feeling, and then tasting your food.
@MrVovansim oh no who eats pizza with anything but hands. Let alone a cheeseburger and fries haha
@@bobsrx792 In Brazil we mostly eat pizza with a fork and knife because it have sooooo much filling and the crust is so thin you couldn't eat a slice with your hands and not make a big mess 😂
@@bobsrx792 where I'm from, these days they give you rubber gloves to eat burgers, wings, etc. I'm an old fart, so I think this trend is stupid, and if you don't want to get your hands dirty, would rather people just use utensils. But young people value the black (rubber) glove treatment, apparently.
I love seeing food from the many countries in Africa. We don't often recognize or celebrate African culinary traditions and that really needs to change.
I agree, thank you. Africa is such a diverse continent and cuisine is a part of the diversity.
Nigerian Zobo= Mexican Agua de Jamaica 🥰 I love when different countries have the same dishes/drinks ♥️
In Egypt we call it karkadeh
Sorrel in Jamaica.
i always tell ppl hibiscus tastes like cranberries, if you add sugar to it, cranberry juice is what it tastes like. the hibiscus flower powder is brilliant in cakes!
Thank you so much for that! I have had unsweetened hibiscus tea, but never had unsweetened cranberries (can't get them through Customs here in Australia). I've always wondered what unsweetened cranberries taste like - and now you've answered my question! (-:
You are right Beryl, the red hibiscus flower is naturally sour. In a part of Nigeria, there is also the white hibiscus variety which is sautéed and made into a savory and sour dish called isapa
Wow, I've never heard of a white hibiscus. It's so cool that you can make it into a savory dish.
Never heard of it.... Where do I get thisssssss??????
I'll like to taste it. Never seen a white hibiscus.
Isapa it is called..added in egusi soup in place of other proteins.
You are very rooted for you to know isapa.
My Nigerian hubby talked over this so much I barely heard lol but he seemed to approve. He just yelled at the onion and tomato on the okra stew (something like No!!! They spoiled the food now!), diff strokes for diff folks, right. But then he laughed at maybe being a keyboard warrior indeed, so all good. 😊 I just want that hibiscus tea tbh.
😂 is he Igbo or something
Nevermind... I just witnessed that clip 🤭
Oh yes, 100% Igbo. And he was so bored during Covid, he started to cook, so now he has opinions about everything. ;)
I was surprised at the raw onions and the tomatoes too.
@@ikwuamaesigirl, when I saw the clip I understood the shout. Why did she do that😂
I saw the title and I was like dammmnn, what a day to be a Nigeriannnnn!! , The Buka Sauce and the Zobo are definitely my favorites ❤️😂
I went to a boarding school for girls with behavioral problems in Massachusetts that is no longer running and the Majority of the staff were from west Africa and Nigeria. They were Amazing with us, and LOVED to share their cuisine and culture with those of us who were interested. They understood that most of us were acting out because of trauma and/or being unwanted by our families. To this day I surprise West African's with THICK Accents when I understand what they are saying with ease, it is the same with Nigerian's as well 😂. I also have to credit my toxic Narcissistic parents for ingraining " Eat first ask questions later," into my brain from birth till 15 when they didn't want me anymore ( Yeah they are a special kind of wonderful). Now I have to ask some questions about the food so I don't DIE. Like are there Apples, pineapple, peanuts, nuts, or coconut in it, I mean apples I can tell IMMEDIATELY Because someone can cook apples on another floor of the building and be on the opposite end and I will start itching and having trouble breathing 🙄. VERY ANNOYING Because in America they sneak apple EVERYWHERE, Seriously look at the ingredients even apple cider vinegar sets me off. FYI If you live in the Upper East Coast USA and have a Birch Tree Allergy BEWARE of Apples, Quinces, and pears Especially during your peak allergy season, you can have an allergic reaction out of Nowhere, and each reaction will be worse and worse.
Thanks
What you called Buka ( I e Yoruba word for tent- street food sold under tent/ Mama put which is a slag for local food seller) is actually called 'Obe ata' or 'Ayamashe ' soup. It is a very spicy stew but fried with variety of meat cooked with it..
I love it with cooked rice, it also goes well with cooked Yam, or plantain.
Thanks
Suya is a must try for all new to nigerian cuisine! I’d also recommend Kilishi, which is a bit different from suya, but great too!
I might just be weird but I think dabunama is better than kilishi
Suya is one of my favorites
Why didn’t she try moimoi
Wow, "darkness is one of the ingredients in suya" I love that. So poetic and beautiful 💖
My favorite Nigerian food is akara. Black eyed pea fritters 🤤 I've had them served with spicy tomato sauce, jallof rice, more black eyed peas but stewed in a spicy sauce, greens, and fried plantains. One of the best meals I've ever had.
in Brazil we have similar, acarajé
Yes!
Sounds delicious. I’ll have to locate a Nigerian restaurant where I live.
Akara is LIFE! 🇳🇬 ❤
Acarajé is my favorite food in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Guess why babies and most toddlers refuse to eat with utensils? Because it is so damn convenient AND they obviously know the flavours are much better when they eat with their own hands! Kids are smart, we should learn a thing or two from them!
Asaro's cousin (Ikokore) made from what we call Water yam is equally delightful. It requires more effort than the regular, but it's sooo worth it.
The newspaper thar sugar comes in is an ingredient, as well. Lol
The Ila alasepo could be better, though. This doesn't look like it has any of the stew component of the 'asepo'
Yeah it looked as though they forgot to deliver the stew for the okra
As a Ghanaian, then makes me very happy😊
Nigerian food looks and tastes great altogether. Seems like Beryl's friends have fairly unique preferecess.
The timing of this is so cool. My intern who is from Nigeria(I am from Mauritius) was actually making and selling nigerian food as a side hustle while she is studying. She recommended I tried the Jollof rice and I bought some bowls from her. Thoroughly enjoyed it! The spice and the flavours were amazing! I grew up with Indian cuisine- being from Indian descent- and I have to say, it really felt like a comfort food. ♥
You should add a disclaimer because Suya is peanut based- the main ingredient in Suya spice is peanut powder.
That's actually for tsire.
Suya comes with regular yaji
Peanut in suya? That one is a lie o
@@Mentu_footwear The main ingredient in all Suya spice is peanut powder. it's such a simple thing to look up, why you on here calling me a liar when you could be educating yourself.
@@dellytancyl524 I’m Nigerian based in Nigeria, eat suya so well and never seen peanut in suya spice. Neverrrr!
So glad you tried Nigerian food. My husband and children are Nigerian and I’m from the southern U.S. so we have a lot of fusion meals. So glad you enjoyed all the meals.
One of the more interesting ingredients of Suya is spiced peanut powder made from a cookie. There's a place called Voila Afrique in Midtown East which makes a good version as well.
We eat pizza, wings, chips and dip, etc. with our hands. What's the difference? People can be so ignorant. Great video!
A side note on eating with your hands…it is a really important way for little kids to experience & get to know new foods
Funny thing about fufu 'swallow', it reminded me of the Indian dish Raagi mudde (dumpling made with ragi/ finger millet) which is also meant to be swallowed. It's generally paired with stew or spicy dal and eaten with hands. Can't wait to try fufu!
Would love to see more African cuisines!
Beryl, you should do an episode where you order Cajun and Creole food.
Yes !! 👍
I am from Bangalore Karnataka and we have ragi mudde (finger millet dough ball) that we eat with curry which looks very similar to Foufou. It amazes me how someone in Nigeria or Ghana eat something so similar to ragi mudde. Thanks for bringing the world close with your beautiful content Beryl, you're a visionary ❤ . The fried fish yam dish looks very exciting, hope I get to try that :)
Ps I don't know about yam swallow but ragi mudde is supposed to be swallowed directly, like you take very small bite scoop some curry and swallow directly and eat your veggies, lentils or meat on the side with it
We need a good ol’ fashioned Southern comfort food episode. I’d love to see others around the world try our food
Oh my god everything looks so super delish! Love from India. I'm sure Indians will love Nigerian food because most of us love spice and layers of flavour too, which Indian food is known for as well.
I LOVE the spice of Nigerian food.🔥 My brother-in-law makes this dish with goat and a sause with dried baby shrimp and habeneros. It blews your scalp off with heat, but it's so good you just keep going back for more punishment! 🌶haha
And I always eat with my hands at Indian restaurants... And I use chopsticks at East Asian restaurants. Same thing.
Hibiscus is sour! Lots of vitamin C in it. I buy dried hibiscus and make my own syrup out of it to add to drinks. it's SO GOOD.
If there is a part 2 ....possibly Moi Moi , Banga stew ( red palm stew) , Egusi with pounded yam. It's true love ❤️
Humanity should be like food. All sorts of different ingredients coming together to make something harmonious and wonderful. Loved discovering your channel, and seeing your passion for food and for your subscribers. Thanks for all your effort and that contagious smile 😃
This comment will probably get buried but this has motivated me to go to my local Nigerian restaurant and local market and get ALL these foods. So excited to explore all the great meals from Nigeria.
I think you should try food from Nepal! I love a good momo, and there are so many delicious curries. I selfishly would love to hear more recommendations from your expert audience 😊
Momo is spicier south Asian dumplings from Nepal,bhutan etc
Many fail to realise how GREAT African foods taste. I'm Indian but I would certainly choose African or Carribbean foods over Indian foods because they have similar depth in flavours
What’s amazing is Caribbean food is heavily influenced by Indian, West African and Indigenous food.
Why would you choose those foods over Indian foods if you’re Indian and they’re similar?
I’m glad you mentioned injera because I was gonna comment asking if you could do an Eritrean/Ethiopian food segment like this too! 😂❤️
I love eating with my hands. it really makes you aware of what you're eating and is so much fun!
These all look fabulous! For me hibiscus tea is a year round drink. Hot in the winter, iced in the summer. It has tons of antioxidants, vitamin C, anthocyanins, and fights inflammation. Can’t ask for much more.
Thank you for this video, Beryl! I was so honoured to see my country's cuisine being represented.
Just to answer some of your questions, zobo (hibiscus drink) is very diverse and sweetened according to taste. You can add ingredients like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, pineapple and lemon to sweeten (that may explain the sour taste you were getting).
Fufu, amala and other foods you eat with the soups are all called `'swallow" because you usually just swallow it without having to chew
I would love to see you try other soups like gbegiri, ewedu and egusi.
I once had a Nigerian bf & he cooked something for me. Made 2 versions: 1 for me (which was major spicy) & 1 even spicier for him! I feel for you Beryl. I know how spicy Nigerian food is!
I don't see why people would be angry at eating with hands. I am a Westerner and I know I eat plenty of finger foods, so a slightly different finger food that is basically a bread to scoop stew does not bother me. I'd love to try these, but I don't think there is much Nigerian food around my area.
These all looked so good. That I know of, I've never had Nigerian food. (I lived in L. A. for decades and I've enjoyed sooooo many different cuisines from around the world, but I don't remember having had Nigerian food.) Thanks for awakening my curiosity, Beryl; if I ever have the opportunity to have Nigerian food, I shall certainly avail myself of it.
I LOVE the delivery series!
I love how you stood up for the cultural way of eating 😄🖐🏻👌🏼🫳🏾🫴🏿🫶🏼 I really like seeing and learning about what is for me, "strange" dishes. I mean it in a good way, ingredients and spices I never knew about, it's super inspiring for me. Thank you for the upload! 💜💜💜
Hey Beryl, great vid!
Well done for trying our food!
The okro needed a stew/red soup on it, thats what would bring the spice.
Amala is a yoruba fav, and we love spice. If its not spicy, it's not right lol
Zobo or sorrel is chuke here in Bengali and I love it! We actually turn it into a chutney made with sugar and some cinnamon. The leaves are edible too!
Chuke is a rare treat and so many people don't know what it is. Even I was surprised to learn it's enjoyed in Africa and the Caribbean. My best bet is some colonialist brought it over to India once upon a time and some of us really liked it lol.
The flower is native to west Africa so it has a long history in that part of the world as well.
Alllll of those look amazing !! Hibiscus tea has always been my favorite I love the tang and it's just so refreshing apparently it's also good for women to use during their menstrual cycle
I was today years old when I learned that Beryl can eat food with a metal spoon.
9:35
I find it annoying as well... never hear that about pizza, sandwiches/burgers, tacos, etc. though.
🤔🙄
Oh my God! I love that you sat and are an entire row of Nigerian food! Mad respect! I'm Nigerian living in Nigeria by the way, and I can tell you, I was scared for you during a couple of dishes, like the amala, but that was mostly because I didn't know if the restaurant left out the stew you were supposed to eat with it. All in all, I'm so glad for this video, and that you enjoyed the food.
beryl, you should do an apartment tour! I love how vibrant all the art around you is.
5:48 I know it as sorrel. Haven't made it in years. Sooo good! Easy to go through the half gallon I used to make. I can get close to it by steeping Republic of Tea's hibiscus offering. Even as-is it's pretty good. If you make yer own be careful with the dried sorrel when you steep it. It will dye white cloth.
I loved this video! there's a Nigerian restaurant near my place and I always order the same things lol.. now I have an idea of new things to try 🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for sharing this! I actually found a highly rated restaurant near me that serves various kinds of Suya. Can't wait to try!
Hibiscus is quite tart tasting, it makes me think of cranberries. I don't usually have it sweetened but most people would add sugar. I love it hot in winter and cold in summer ☺
I love how the top and hairdo changed enroute to collecting the food at the door ;)
I Love watching this series, I really want to try different foods and watching this series helps guide me in the direction of what to try. Thank you
Loved this, so educational and the Nigerian ladies were lovely!!! Please do Peruvian food!
I used to teach Burmese ethnic students and they will always eat with their hands. They would mix the curries with rice to make it denser. I agree with you, it's culture and also the best away of eating!
Beryl, you're doing such a good job sharing different cultural meals and your authenticity always radiates through your video.
You thought me how to appreciate all foods no matter the taste or texture.
Keep going cos you're doing an amazing job
Hi Beryl, thanks for featuring Nigerian 🇳🇬 food in this episode! Just wanted to point out that 🇳🇪 is the flag for Niger, not Nigeria... it was my first time visiting a Nigerian restaurant in norhern Germany today. The food is amazing! The restaurant is officially advertised as Western African cuisine (as most non-European restaurants in Germany who choose to offer a 'variety' of regional cuisines), but I noticed the 🇳🇬 flag on the wall, and the menu does feature the dishes mentioned in the video.
👏 👏
That's Nigeria flag 🇳🇬
Yumm I have to try my local Nigerian restaurant next and try suya! Also please do Chinese food next! There's so many unique dishes people don't usually order
Idk maybe some people have an aversion to eating with there hands. I have had this problem since I was a kid I can't touch a lot textures with my hand but still that's my problem. I would never get upset at someone for how they eat, this kind of thing can be culturally significant as much as the food itself.
We have that hibiscus 🌺 tea - cold and sweet in Mexico. Agua de jamaica. I’ve tried Nigerian food and it’s so hearty and flavorful and spicy!
Your channel is for sure the most treasured to me! Food unites us all and it makes us understand and appreciate different cultures even more! Thank you so much beryl for educating us with each video!💞
How about a delivery episode about a country you haven't tried dishes from yet?
The food looks so yummy. Being an Indian, every time you said "spicy" my mouth starts to water. We love spices and hot food. But I am vegetarian hence won't be able to try most of the recipes.
Same! The only thing I would be able to try is the drink!
Ghanaian and Nigerian cuisine is so similar
My step dad's family is from India and they eat with their hands. My mother would always get on my case for joining them in on eating Indian foods with our hands but when she was not around, she could not stop me LOL
She would definitely be one of the keyboard warriors if she could figure out the internet
Your mom married a guy from India but was mad that you used your hands to eat Indian food when you were with his side of the family? Wow. She should have been proud that you learned to eat your stepdad's food in a respectful manner.
Why did your mom think that?
White folks eat solids with their hands but not even tiny bit fluidy with hands which is weird because in both cases you gotta wash your hands properly before and after
I love your channel, reminds me of places I have been. My late husband traveled the world for work and I went with him. Meals are always better then you use all your sense’s including touch when you eat with your hands
Lol it the way you decorated the Okro for me , fancy you. Glad you love the foods but you need to try amala with gbegiri ( bean soup ) or akara and pap for breakfast next time
3:29 props Folake. Represent🇳🇬!!
Absolutely love this series! It’s a lot of fun and you always learn something new about other countries‘ cuisines!
I loved this episode! Thank you to Beryl and the 3 lovely presentors! Its all making me hungry and longing for travel and friendships. ♥️
Dear TH-cam algorithm keep pushing this channel through because we need a regular dose of Beryl in our lives.
Please and thank you.
Ps: love this series 🥰
You don’t need to rely on the algorithm if you subscribe
@@21972012145525 I'm wishing good numbers on her channel, I think you didn't understand the comment in reference to the video.
I am subscribed, actually since the very beginning.
I apologize if someone else already mentioned this, but you asked if the hibiscus drink had something sour in it. Hibiscus is loaded with vitamin C which has a naturally sour flavor, so yes, the hibiscus tea is going to be a bit sour. That's why so many cultures that have a hibiscus drink sweeten them. I did see that someone mentioned Jamaican sorrel (a personal summer-time favorite), but there are a few others from various cultures.
Hibiscus tea is also a Mexican agua fresca, jamaica. The flower petals are actually tangy sour tasting. It is good for the urinary track, similar to cranberry juice.
4:44 Well said the meat is like a middle ground of texture
I really wish u would do an ordering pakistani food video.... i know you've done various indian cuisine episodes, and so many people think that pakistani and indian cuisines are same but no, they aren't. Can u please do one? I really feel like people don't know much (if not anything) about pakistani cuisine. Really really waiting and hoping for such a video 🥹
AND great video as always! I always look forward to them 🤍✨️
Okay, I've never seen tomatoes added to okra soup before. I love seeing how others interpret our foods
That hibiscus beverage looks like it would be great over shaved ice.
As a Nigerian, I can confirm that we order FOOD. Like what else did you expect? 💀
Unless you’re talking about our cousine then YES, we are the best! 😅
Eating with only your hands is a great joy. Reminds me of vacation days by the pool or beach and having a Filipino boodle fight - swathes of banana leaves on the table with a plethora of Filipino food on it; barbecued pork, rice, some tomato and salted egg salad, green mango with a side of sauteed bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste, but not like belacan or the Thai version),chicken and/or pork adobo cooked to be almost dry, grilled fish, or probably anything~ Great having a bottle or two of local pale pilsen with it too!
Thanks beryl!! I was always curious about Nigerian food! This is very good for me to put on my bucket list!
So excited to see an African cuisine on the menu!
I find it funny that Beryl's hair covers letters on his shirt, leaving only "DEATH" written on it
I came to the comments for this
hahahhaha omg
The way you pronounce zulaikha is awesome
Ok Beryl...what about Samoan food? Haven't seen that yet.😊 My kids are part Samoan...they'd love to see it 💕
I think the thing I love most about your channel is seeing how many completely BEAUTIFUL people there are all over the world. The food is stupendous, too. Love your videos. Have you done Ghanan or South African food? Or Chilean? I would to see Mongolian, but that may be slim pickings!
Nigerian here that follows your channel. Exciting episode!