The Northern region of Nigeria offers numerous attractions for visitors across the world. They are excellent for its traditions, tourist centers, food, and culture. So if you ever find yourself in any of the Northern states in Nigeria, make sure you try out some of their local dishes. Although, the food of the region is not considered as the primary reason for its popularity, but one cannot ignore the fact that the Northerners have contributed richly to Nigeria’s national food identity.
So we have decided to help you with these special five dishes found in the Northern parts of Nigeria. Ready to get to know their food?
1. TUWO SHINKAFA
This is the first dish on this list because you cannot make a list of foods found in the Northern parts of Nigeria without Tuwo Shinkafa. This is arguably one of the most popular staples in the Northern parts of Nigeria, amongst other dishes, it can also be referred to as “Rice Tuwo”.
A good reason why this would be the most popular can be due to the fact that it is very easy and fast to prepare. Who wouldn’t like a dish that is delicious, healthy, simple to make, and fast to make? Everyone would love that, without a doubt.
Tuwo Shinkafa is a rice dish, that involves the boiling of white rice till it’s soft and sticky, then rolling the boiled rice into balls. You can enjoy it wih any soup of your choice, isn’t this just great? So you are free to enjoy this delicious and nutrient filled dish with your favorite soup or whatever floats your boat.
Also See: 5 most popular street food in Enugu State
2. MIYAN KUKA
You have read about Tuwo Shinkafa, and you should know that there are a few soups you can enjoy Tuwo Shinkafa with. Miyan Kuka is one of the soups you can enjoy Tuwo shinkafa with.
Miyan Kuka is a popular Hausa soup that is made from kuka (Baobab leaves) and some other special spices that add a local and special flavor to the dish, an example of the spice that is usually added to Miyan Kuka is “Yaji”. This is definitely one of those soups you are going to love once you try it. I promise you will still enjoy it.
Also See: 5 most popular street food in Enugu State
3. BURABISCO
Burabisco, also known as Brabisco is a traditionally made couscous delicacy from Northern Nigeria. This meal is quick and easy to prepare. The primary ingredient for making this food is couscous. Couscous is also known as burabisco in Northern Nigeria and is made from corn or wheat grits.
Nevertheless, in preparing this meal, couscous is sometimes substituted with garri. When garri is used in preparing this food, lukewarm water is added to it. The garri is then stirred with a fork so that it doesn’t form a solid mold; the small disjointed lumps of garri are what is required in preparing burabisco.
Other ingredients used in making this food are shredded chicken, carrot, green pepper, spring onions, vegetable oil, seasoning cubes, onions, garlic, ginger, chili pepper, and salt. These ingredients make this food nutritious and delightful. It also makes it one of the luxurious dishes of northern Nigeria.
Burabisco can be served at any time of the day. This delicacy can be best enjoyed with chilled soft drink. So, if you’ve not tasted this food before and you are thinking of something different to make with garri, try making burabisco. Assuredly, you’d be pleasantly surprised.
Also See: List of Popular Yoruba Foods
4. DANWAKE
Danwake is a delicious and easy to prepare meal in Northern Nigeria. It has on its own pretty tasteless just like fufu meals and it relies on a sauce or side dish for its taste just like our fufu meals rely on Nigerian Soups for their tastes.
The meal is prepared with beans flour, baobab powder (kuka) and potash. Other ingredients include dry pepper, groundnut oil, tomatoes, egg, cucumber, carrots and cabbages (the vegetables are optional).
Usually Dan Wake is served with ground cayenne pepper (yaji), you can also use Suya Pepper, hardboiled eggs, sautéed vegetables: onions, cabbage, tomatoes etc.
Also See: Igbo Food: 25 Most Commonly Consumed Igbo Food
5. PATE
Pate is a soup that’s commonly eaten in the Northern regions of Nigeria. This dish is very popular in places like Nassarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, and other Northern states.
Pate is often made of pig meat and parts, but wild game like snipe, partridge, venison or wild boar can be cooked into a pate, as can farm-raised duck, rabbit or pheasant. Even vegetables can be made into pate. Lean meats might require the addition of some pork fat to keep the pate from drying out in the oven.
Major ingredients for the preparation of this soup are grounded corn or rice and it can be considered to be porridge.
Pate is a soup that has great health benefits, so if you are looking for healthy dishes to add to your menu, don’t forget to put Pate at the top of the list.
Also See: Top 5 Foods Of The Ijaw People
CONCLUSION
There are a lot of delicious foods in the Northern parts of Nigeria, I just made mention of a few above. You are fully aware of the fact that it is always an amazing experience when you can try a few new recipes when touring, this is always emphasized because what’s life without a few experiences? What’s the experience without food? So, when you find yourself in the North, you know exactly what to order in terms of food.