Top 10 Nigerian Soups Every Visitor Should Try

If you’re planning a visit to Nigeria or just curious about its food culture, one thing is for sure – Nigerian soups will blow your mind! 

They’re a big part of the local food experience, with each region offering something unique. Whether you enjoy rich, hearty dishes or prefer something light and savoury, there’s a Nigerian soup waiting for you to try.

Let’s explore the top 10 Nigerian soups you must try when you can!

1. Egusi Soup

Ah, Egusi. This is probably the most popular soup in Nigeria, and for a good reason—it’s downright delicious! Egusi is made from ground melon seeds, which give the soup a thick, creamy texture. 

Egusi soup is beloved across many parts of Nigeria, especially among the Yoruba in the southwest and the Igbo in the southeast.

It’s typically cooked with leafy greens like spinach or bitter leaves and filled with assorted meats, fish, and sometimes crayfish for added flavour.

You’ll often see it paired with pounded yam or eba (made from cassava). One thing we can say for sure is that egusi is one of those soups that warms your heart and fills your belly.

2. Ogbono Soup

Ogbono soup is popular among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. The soup is unique because of its “slippery” texture. 

Made from wild mango seeds, the soup has a thick, almost stretchy consistency, which can be a surprise if you’re trying it for the first time. But don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with flavour!

Ogbono soup is often cooked with assorted meats, fish, and leafy vegetables like spinach or bitter leaf. It’s traditionally enjoyed with fufu or pounded yam. After a few bites, you’ll see why people keep returning for more.

3. Efo Riro

Efo Riro is a delightful dish, especially if you love spinach-based meals. It’s a Yoruba speciality made from leafy greens (usually spinach) mixed with peppers, tomatoes, and palm oil. The soup often features meats, fish, and even snails, giving it an excellent depth of flavour.

It’s often served with rice, eba, or amala (a yam flour-based dish), making it a healthy yet flavourful choice. If you love your veggies but still want some bold flavours, Efo Riro is the way to go.

4. Afang Soup

Afang soup is a gem from southeastern Nigeria, particularly the Efik and Ibibio people. It combines Afang leaves (also called Okazi) and water leaves, which create a balanced mix of textures. 

The slight bitterness of the Afang leaves contrasts perfectly with the soft water leaves.

The soup is traditionally cooked with palm oil, crayfish, and sometimes periwinkles. If you’re looking for a green, nutrient-packed dish with a unique flavour profile, Afang soup is a must-try. It pairs well with eba or pounded yam.

Here is a guide that can help you prepare Afang Soup yourself, just in case you feel adventurous.

5. Banga Soup [Ofe Akwu]

If you’re someone who enjoys palm-based soups, you’ll love Banga. Banga soup originates from the Delta region and is made from palm fruit extract, giving it that rich, reddish colour and deep flavour. 

What makes Banga stand out is the use of traditional spices like Oburunbebe Stick, which gives it an earthy, aromatic taste.

Banga soup is best enjoyed with starch (a sticky yellow swallow) or eba. It often includes fresh fish or meat, and the flavours combine to create a delicious, memorable experience.

Furthermore, if you are excited enough or want to be adventurous, here is a recipe and guide for making Ofe Akwu yourself! 

6. Oha (Ora) Soup

Oha soup is a special dish from the Igbo culture in southeastern Nigeria. The key ingredient is the delicate and tender Oha leaves. The soup is thickened with cocoyam, giving it a creamy, hearty texture perfect for pairing with fufu, pounded yam, or Garri.

This soup is typically cooked with assorted meats, fish, and sometimes snails. Its mild but deeply satisfying flavour makes it perfect for anyone trying Nigerian cuisine for the first time.

7. Nsala (White Soup)

Another yummy soup on our list of top Nigerian soups is Nsala, also called White Soup, a classic from southeastern Nigeria. 

It’s unique because it doesn’t contain palm oil, unlike many other Nigerian soups. Instead, it’s light and creamy, often made with fresh fish, yam, and local spices that give it a tangy kick.

The soup is thickened with pounded yam, which adds richness to the broth. If you enjoy fish-based soups, Nsala will quickly become a favourite. It’s perfect with fufu or pounded yam and is often considered a “comfort soup.”

8. Gbegiri Soup

Gbegiri is a traditional Yoruba soup made from peeled beans. Yes, beans! The beans are cooked and mashed into a smooth, velvety puree that gives the soup its creamy texture. Gbegiri is often paired with Ewedu (a jute leaf soup) and amala, creating a trio that’s hard to beat.

Its mild, slightly sweet flavour makes it a light, enjoyable soup for any occasion. Don’t let the simplicity fool you—Gbegiri is packed with protein and incredibly satisfying.

9. Edikang Ikong

Edikang Ikong is another powerhouse Nigerian soup from southeastern Nigeria, especially among the Efik and Ibibio people. Made from a mix of fluted pumpkin leaves (Ugu) and waterleaf, it’s a nutrient-rich soup that’s hearty and healthy.

Cooked with meats, fish, and snails and flavoured with crayfish and palm oil, Edikang Ikong is considered a “luxury soup” due to its high nutritional value and variety of ingredients. It’s best enjoyed with pounded yam or Garri.

READ ALSO: Authentic Nigerian Okro Soup Recipe – Simple & Delicious

10. Atama Soup

Atama soup is another delicious dish from southeastern Nigeria’s Efik and Ibibio people. It is similar to Banga soup, but what sets it apart is the use of Tama leaves. This gives the soup a distinct, aromatic flavour with a slight bitterness. 

It’s commonly prepared with palm fruit extract, meat, and fish, making it a bold and flavourful dish.

Atama soup pairs well with starch or Garri and is perfect for adventurous eaters looking to try something new.