Top 10 Nigerian Soups You Must Try

Nigerian cuisine is packed with bold flavors and hearty dishes, and at the center of it all are our beloved soups.

From the north to the south, every region has its own special soups that holds a place in our hearts and on our tables.

Whether you’re looking to explore more of Nigeria’s culinary delights or are simply craving something familiar, here are the top 10 Nigerian soups you have to try.

1. Egusi Soup

Egusi soup is a true classic, loved across Nigeria. Made from ground melon seeds, this rich and filling soup is often prepared with a mix of vegetables like spinach or bitter leaf, alongside assorted meats and fish. Its nutty flavor makes it a favorite to pair with pounded yam, eba, or fufu.

Whether you’re Yoruba, Igbo, or Edo, Egusi remains a staple in many households.

2. Bitterleaf Soup (Ofe Onugbu)

This soup is a favorite among the Igbo people and is known for its distinctive bitter taste, which is mellowed after washing the leaves thoroughly.

Bitterleaf soup is packed with flavor, often cooked with stockfish, dry fish, and meat, and thickened with cocoyam. It’s a perfect match for pounded yam or fufu, giving you a rich and satisfying meal.

3. Efo Riro

Yoruba cuisine wouldn’t be complete without Efo Riro, a spinach-based soup that’s a must-try.

Made with blended tomatoes, peppers, and onions, it’s cooked with a variety of meats, including beef, offals, and dried fish.

This flavorful soup is commonly enjoyed with amala, pounded yam, or eba, and the taste will leave you coming back for more.

4. Afang Soup

Afang soup is a favorite from the Efik and Ibibio people. It’s made from a combination of afang leaves and waterleaf, cooked with palm oil, meat, and seafood.

Known for its slightly earthy flavor, this soup is highly nutritious and best enjoyed with garri, pounded yam, or fufu. It’s a true taste of the southeast.

5. Ogbono Soup

Ogbono soup, also known as draw soup, is loved for its sticky consistency, thanks to the ground wild mango seeds used to make it.

Whether you like your Ogbono thick or light, it’s delicious with a variety of meats, fish, and vegetables. Pair it with fufu, pounded yam, or eba, and enjoy its smooth, flavorful goodness.

6. Okra Soup

Okra soup is another popular draw soup in Nigeria. Known for its slimy texture, okra soup is cooked with assorted meats, fish, and even seafood.

Some people combine it with ogbono for an extra-thick texture. It’s light, flavorful, and best served with garri, semovita, or pounded yam.

7. Edikang Ikong Soup

This rich vegetable soup comes from the Efik and Ibibio people and is made with fluted pumpkin leaves (ugu) and waterleaf.

Packed with proteins like beef, fish, and even snails, Edikang Ikong is both healthy and hearty. It’s usually served with garri or pounded yam and is a nutritious choice that’s perfect for any occasion.

8. Banga Soup

Banga soup is a staple in the Niger Delta region, made from palm nut extract. It has a rich, flavorful broth seasoned with local spices like beletete and oburunbebe stick.

Banga soup is commonly served with starch, but it also pairs well with eba or pounded yam. It’s a must-try for those who love rich, traditional flavors.

9. Groundnut Soup

Groundnut soup, or peanut soup, is popular in Northern and Eastern Nigeria. It’s made from ground roasted peanuts, which give the soup its creamy, nutty flavor.

Cooked with meat, fish, and vegetables, groundnut soup is perfect with tuwo shinkafa (rice), pounded yam, or garri. It’s a comforting dish that will leave you satisfied.

10. Gbegiri and Ewedu Soup

Gbegiri is a Yoruba delicacy made from peeled and blended beans. Its smooth, creamy texture sets it apart from other soups.

Gbegiri is often served alongside Ewedu and a rich tomato-based stew, usually with amala. This classic combination—Amala and Gbegiri—is a must for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Yoruba flavors.

Grab some pounded yam, garri, or semovita and dive into these Nigerian favorites.