- Yoruba soups are as diverse as the people themselves, each soup has its own distinct taste and health benefits
- These soups are made from fresh, local ingredients and are usually served with pounded yam, amala, eba or fufu
- Here are 12 traditional soups of the Yoruba people in Nigeria
The Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria are known for their rich culture and diverse cuisine, with soups that carry the cultural identity passed down through generations. Yoruba soups are not only delicious but they are also packed with various health benefits, thanks to the assortment of vegetables and spices used.
These soups are typically paired with staples like pounded yam, amala, eba, or fufu. Below are some of the soups native to Yoruba people.
1. Isapa soup
Credit: Top Nigeria Food Blog
Isapa is made from the roselle plant, a type of hibiscus. The leaves are usually cooked dry or fresh. It is often cooked with assorted meats or fish and is traditionally paired with pounded yam.
2. Ilasa soup
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Originating from Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Ilasa is a lesser-known soup made from Okra leaves and Okra. It has a smooth texture and is often cooked with simple ingredients like fish or meat. Ilasa is light and easy to digest, making it a favourite for those who want something less heavy.
3. Ewedu and Gbegiri soup
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Ewedu is a beloved Yoruba soup made from jute leaves. The leaves are beaten into a slimy, slightly smooth consistency and seasoned with salt and locust beans. Gbegiri, on the other hand, is a popular soup made from peeled beans. It has a smooth, thick consistency and is usually yellow in colour. Gbegiri is often paired with Ewedu and served alongside amala, forming a classic Yoruba meal that is enjoyed by many.
4. Ebolo soup
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Ebolo is a vegetable soup made from a type of wild spinach known as "Ebolo." This soup is rich in iron and nutrients, often combined with a variety of meats or fish. It has a distinct earthy flavour that pairs well with any swallow.
5. Gbure soup
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Gbure, also known as waterleaf soup, is light and refreshing. This leafy vegetable soup is rich in vitamins and minerals. Gbure soup is typically cooked with proteins like meat, fish, and crayfish. Other ingredients include palm oil, Locust beans, salt and pepper.
6. Ila soup
Credit: Sisi Jemimah
Ila, or okra soup, is a popular dish among the Yoruba. The slimy nature of okra makes this soup unique. Okra soup can be made plain and enjoyed with stew, providing a hearty meal when served with fufu or eba.
7. Orunla soup
Orunla is a traditional Yoruba soup made from dried Okra. this soup has the same slimy and delicious taste as okra soup but with a smoother texture. It can also be enjoyed with stews and served with swallows. It can also be cooked together with meat, fish, and spices.
8. Elegede soup
Credit: Sisi Jemimah
Elegede soup is made from pumpkin or squash, known as "Elegede" in Yoruba. This soup is usually combined with meats, fish, and palm oil, sometimes with leafy greens. It is a delicious soup that can be paired with various types of swallows.
9. Obe Efo Gbagba
Credit: The Online Cook
Obe Gbagba is a vegetable soup made from the leaves of African Eggplant, called "Gbagba." This nutritious soup is often prepared with meat, dried fish, palm oil, and spices. It is light but satisfying, ideal for pairing with pounded yam.
10. Egusi soup
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Egusi, made from ground melon seeds, is one of the most popular soups across Nigeria. The Yoruba version often includes leafy vegetables like spinach or bitterleaf, and it's cooked with assorted meats, fish, and palm oil. The thick, rich nature of Egusi makes it a favourite with pounded yam.
11. Ila Alasepo
Credit: Wikipedia
Ila Alasepo is a variation of okra soup, where all the ingredients, okra, meats, fish, and sometimes leafy vegetables, are cooked together in one pot. It has a thicker consistency compared to plain okra soup and is often more filling.
12. Bitterleaf soup
Credit: Top Nigerian Food Blog
While Bitterleaf soup is more common among the Igbo people, the Yoruba also enjoy their version of this soup. Made from bitter leaves, this soup has a distinctive bitter taste that is often balanced with meats, fish, and spices. It is a wholesome meal usually paired with pounded yam.
5 traditional soups of the Ibibio people in Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier compiled five flavourful and nutritious traditional soups of the Ibibio people in Nigeria.
Among them are Edikang Ikong soup, Afia Efere, Atama soup, which are mostly made with leafy greens and proteins.