Nigerian Restaurants & Take-away Places:

The following article is taken The Observer (Food Monthly, Sunday June 10, 2001):

Spicy West African food plus lashings of traditional palm wine makes for a long and laid-back night

The whole culture in Nigeria revolves around the consumption of food, but there is no great ceremony about eating; families eat together from one big plate. It's easy not to be a good cook in Nigeria because there is so much good food on the street. Suya is barbecued street food, it's quite cheap and it is mainly night food. Nobody ever makes suya at home - there isn't much point when the best people to do it are the Suya people, from the Hausa tribe, who have been cooking it all their lives. At home you eat normal home-made food like rice, plantain and yam, but suya is social food. …..

To read the full article and get the recipes (beef suya, goat suya, boli/barbecued plantain etc.) go to:
http://www.observer.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,9950,502663,00.html

The following article is taken from City Zine (http://www.jour.city.ac.uk/cityzine/Art_DayNig.html

Nigerian Day & Night (by Edetaen Ojo)

Fancy a boisterous, fun-filled day in London after a week of work and stress? Then hitch up with a Nigerian and give yourself in fully to the day ahead. With an estimated one million Nigerians in Britain, London has quite a sizeable number of them. Bumping into one is an every street corner eventuality. But if you really want to go looking, then you will find Nigerian expatriates in droves in areas of London like Peckham, Hackney, Kilburn, Shepherd’s Bush, Wembley and Elephant and Castle.

Before you set out, remember a few tips for a successful outing. Since you are going to do some eating, you should better like hot and spicy food because you won’t find cold sandwiches in a Nigerian place. You should also have no aversion for heated arguments and never be in a hurry. Cancel any other appointments you might have for the day, because you won’t make it. Nigerians demand total commitment when socializing and are notorious for their total disregard for time. So leave your watch at home. Nigerians simply cannot let their lives be driven by such a tiny piece of equipment.

Ready to go? If you want to do some shopping first, try Shepherd’s Bush, Dalston or Peckham, where you can find almost anything Nigerian to buy.

Do you feel your life is a disaster? Then go and see a babalawo (native doctor) to tell you the forces that have been inhibiting your progress in life or to deal with any other problem you might have.

For food and drink, it is a generally a good idea not to set out before noon. Most Nigerian ‘joints open for business around 11.30am. They are too knocked out from the previous night to start any earlier.

You can work your way through a selection of Nigerian establishments, depending on what takes your fancy. The same establishments usually serve as bars and restaurants, so you might decide to spend some time at the same spot, both eating and drinking.

The Buka African Kitchen on Kilburn High Road serves a range of Nigerian drinks and dishes, while live performers provide mellow tunes. Mama Calabar in Hendon is famous for its popular traditional Nigerian dishes and local beers. Other locations include the Afri-Carrib in Peckham, Oasis in Kilburn and Frendz in Hendon. Yum Yum in Hackney offers take away only.

As you move into the night, you should head towards Obalende Suya Spot on Kingsland Road in Dalston. Suya is a popular Nigerian meat delicacy, roasted over an open fire with fat or oil, pepper and spices. It comes in a variety of meat products, including chicken, beef, goat meat, ram or pork. Named after Obalende, a popular area of Nigeria’s former capital city, Lagos, reputed for its ‘suya’, London’s Obalende Suya Spot will rekindle your memories of this delicious snack. If you have no memories to rekindle, it can set you off in search of the real thing, but you will require a return ticket to Lagos for that search. A plate of ‘suya’ at Obalende Suya Spot taken with Guinness is a quick trip to heaven.

You want to party? Nigerians love to party. It is their favourite pastime. Just find a Nigerian and he or she will be sure to know on any weekend where a party is happening. The reason might be a baby naming ceremony, a birthday, a remembrance for a late father or mother, or just a group of friends who decide to organize a disco party to spice up the weekend. Everybody is welcomed to come along, whether invited or not. And feel free to bring a friend. If the discussions sound like bitter quarrels, pay no attention. It is just the Nigerian way of letting everyone know that they are having fun.

Content culled from http://www.jjc2uk.com/Nigerians%20in%20london.htm