Forget forks and knives, Yoruba meals are best enjoyed with your hands to scoop up starchy foods like pounded yam (iyàn), amala (made from yam flour), and even fufu (made from cassava). Here are a few of the most popular foods that represent the Yoruba cuisine. 

A discussion about Yoruba cuisine wouldn’t be complete without Amala, a dish made with yam flour, it is usually served with Ewedu soup, a perfectly smooth mixture of jute leaves and Gbegiri, a tasty soup made from bean pudding. To make it more mouthwatering, add a topping of Obe ata (palm oil sauce) and you’ll find yourself licking your fingers! 

Iyan (Pounded Yam) is another popular cuisine in Yoruba culture. It is made from yam that has been boiled and mashed into a smooth, elastic texture. It is best enjoyed with Egusi (melon seed stew) or Efo riro (spinach stew). 

We can’t talk about about Yoruba cuisine without mentioning Jollof rice and Ofada rice which are staple dishes.