West Africa · Soup
Miyan Busheshen Kifi (Smoked River Fish and Dried Okra Broth)
A rich Niger River broth perfumed with charred smoked fish, fermented locust beans, and silky sun-dried okra powder.
The story
Revering the lifeblood of the nation, riverine fishing communities along the Niger River valley—such as the Zarma and Hausa—prepare Miyan Busheshen Kifi as an essential midday meal. The soup is traditionally ladled over fluffy Tuwo Shinkafa (rice swallow) after intense morning fishing expeditions. Its distinct savory depth relies on the synergy of open-fire smoked river catfish and traditional dawadawa, which provides an intense umami baseline balanced by mucilaginous dried okra.
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