Lagos: Art of Street Food
Decades ago, while people travelled to Lagos for work, their relatives often told them repeatedly to buy them Agege bread on their way back. Agege bread is remarkable in Nigeria and is often attributed to Lagos.
One of the most captivating aspects of Lagosian culture is its street foods that tempt locals and visitors alike.
Agege bread can mostly be found in Lagos, history has it that a Cameroonian was the first to start a bakery in Lagos in a town called Agege, hence the name Agege bread. Then a business man from Southern Nigeria started another bakery much later, still in Agege town. The business man brought girls from his place to hawk the bread in Lagos. That is why till today, you will find girls still hawking the soft, fluffy, sweet Agege bread in Lagos.
Occupants of Lagos are very busy and restless people so street food is their one sure way to go.
1. Akara is enjoyed with Agege bread. Akara is round fried beans pudding with a reddish golden colour, it is normally inserted into a divided Agege bread, the bread is closed back with the balls of Akara in the middle, the bites of this combination is like fulfilment to Lagosians, very enjoyable. Akara can also be taken with Akamu(pap) , a traditional starchy porridge.
2. Suya is the number one open charcoal-grilled delight. This street food is cow meat roasted by the road side usually at nights. No exploration of Lagos street food is complete without encountering Suya. It is usually served in newspapers with chili pepper and sliced onions. It is mostly sold by northerners popularly called Aboki. Suya easily gladdens people’s hearts.
3. Maimai is now called moimoi due to anglicization. Unlike Akara, it is a steamed beans pudding. It contains fish, meat or egg inside. It is a nutritious and satisfying option often enjoyed anytime as long as it is available.
4. Gala and La casera are the best friends of Lagosians. This is the ultimate snack combination that has saved lives for decades. Gala, a sausage roll filled with spiced sausage meat pairs perfectly with La casera carbonated drink. As Lagosians navigate the vibrant streets of Lagos, they navigate with Gala and La casera. They can easily purchase it while on transit from hawkers shouting by.
5. Boli is the name for charcoal roasted plantains. Boli is a popular street snack that dignifies plantains aside the normal plantain chips. The dried plantains are often served with groundnuts creating a harmonious blend of smokiness and nuttiness.
6. Puff-Puff and Buns are like sister snacks. They look alike but they are different just like fraternal twins. They are deep-fried flour balls, golden in colour. Buns is crispy while Puff-Puff is soft and stretchy. They can be eaten with spicy pepper or with soft drinks.
7. Ewa Agoyin of Lagos is all we hear nowadays. This is another strong lifesaver kind of food that can stay in the stomach for long hours preventing the consumer from being hungry. Ewa Agoyin is spicy fried beans, very delicious and tasty. It is usually eaten with Agege bread too. The Agege bread is parted again in two and Ewa Agoyin goes in between to balance the diet. This is what makes it solid in the stomach. It is a potent source of strength for the people.
Ewa Agoyin’s praises is sang all the time by visitors and locals. Some persons even travel to Lagos to behold how this popular in-demand street food is prepared by women by the roadside.
Lagos street foods are not just nourishment for the body, they are a celebration of cultures and victories of survivals. As the sun sets over Lagos, the loudness of frying, the aroma of spices and the sizzles of grilling take over the atmosphere of the day hitting noses around. The laughter of those indulging in these street foods creates unforgettable melodies and echoes through the sands of time.
