
West Africa · Main
Ukodo (Yam and Plantain Pepper Soup Pottage)
A fragrant Urhobo and Itsekiri pepper soup pottage simmered with tender yam chunks, semi-ripe plantains, goat meat, and traditional Delta aromatics.
The story
Ukodo is the quintessential breakfast and celebration food of the Urhobo and Itsekiri peoples of Nigeria's western Niger Delta. Commonly prepared outdoors in large cast-iron pots during wedding mornings and communal assemblies, it provides invigorating heat and rich sustenance. Technically, it diverges from standard clear pepper soups by cooking raw yams and plantains directly in the spiced broth, using their released starches to naturally body the liquid into a hearty pottage.
Cook this next
Nigerian Asun (Spicy Smoked Goat Meat)
A fiery, aromatic Nigerian street food specialty made of tender roasted goat meat cut into bite-sized pieces and tossed in a coarse, fragrant blend of scotch bonnet peppers, onions, and spices.

Abacha (African Salad of Shredded Dried Cassava)
A vibrant Igbo delicacy of rehydrated shredded cassava emulsified in spiced palm oil paste with dried fish, garden eggs, and utazi.

Afang Soup (Wild Spinach and Waterleaf Soup)
A rich, velvety Efik-Ibibio delicacy packed with shredded wild okazi leaves, tender braised meats, periwinkles, and fragrant red palm oil.

Akara (Crispy Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
Golden, cloud-light fritters with a shatteringly crisp exterior and airy, savory interior laced with fiery scotch bonnet and sweet onions.