20 Traditional Hausa Foods That Define Northern Nigerian Cuisine

20 Traditional Hausa Foods That Define Northern Nigerian Cuisine. Please watch the video for a better explanation >>>>

The Hausa people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, and their cuisine reflects the rich and diverse cultural heritage and traditions of the people and neighboring West African countries.

Hausa cuisine is known for using fresh, locally grown ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

Whether you are looking for protein, fiber, vitamins, or other essential nutrients, there are plenty of healthy Hausa foods in Nigeria. Be it soups, stews, grains, or leafy greens, there is something for everyone in the diverse and flavorful world of Hausa cuisine.

20 Best Delicious and Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria You Should Try Today

If you’ve been to the north and you failed to taste any of the following delicacies am about to mention now, then you’re missing!

Here are some signature dishes from the Arewa kingdom that you really should try:

Please note that to compile the list of the top 20 most popular Hausa foods, we conducted extensive research, taking into account factors such as historical significance, cultural relevance, and popularity among Hausa communities both locally and internationally.

But, if at the end of the video, you did see your favorite food or snacks, do let me know in the comment section and I will update accordingly.

Now, here are 20 tasty and nutritious delicious Hausa delicacies you should try today.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Koko and kosai

This food is majority taken by at least 70% of Hausa people as breakfast, kosai is a dish that is made from peeled beans formed into a ball and then deep-fried in palm oil, while koko is a porridge and a traditional Hausa food made from millet, maize, guinea corn, and tiger nut with a small number of additives that are added to nourish it.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Masa

Nigerian Masa, also known as rice cakes or waina, is a popular traditional Northern Nigerian delicacy, particularly among the Hausa ethnic group. It is made from rice and is often enjoyed as a snack or breakfast meal.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Tuwo Shinkafa

Tuwo shinkafa is a rice dish originating from the Hausas, which is popular in Northern Nigeria and Ghana. Ghanaians call it omo tuo .

This rice, cooked until very soft, followed by mashing and rolling into balls is eaten with stew as a “swallow”.

It is one of the easier swallows to prepare as there is little effort required to make cooked rice into a sticky dough and there is no chance for lumps to develop like they would when making a swallow with powder like amala, etc.

In Hausa cuisine, it is often served as a side dish alongside soups and stews, such as Miyan Kuka (Baobab Leaf Soup) or Miyan Taushe (Pumpkin Soup).

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Dambu Nama (Fried Meat Floss)

The recipe for Dambu Nama was once one of the best-kept secret recipes from Northern Nigeria.

This should top the chart of ultimate street foods from the north of Nigeria.

Dambu Nama, also known as Beef Floss, is a savory shredded beef delicacy that is popular in Hausa cuisine.

The beef is cooked until tender, shredded, and then fried with onions, garlic, and spices until crispy and flavorful.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Miyan Kuka

Miyan Kuka is a delicacy of Hausa origin. If you have ever been to the north, you must have noticed some dark green powder sold in northern markets by the traders; that is what northerners call Kuka.

It is made from Baobab leaves. The leaves are usually dried in the sun and ground into fine powder. Miyan kuka is also called Luru soup.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Zogale (Moringa )

Zogale, also known as Moringa Soup, is a nutritious and delicious soup made from fresh moringa leaves. The leaves are simmered with meat or fish, onions, tomatoes, and spices to create a flavorful and aromatic dish.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Fura da Nono

Fura da Nono is a traditional Hausa drink made from millet flour balls (fura) served in fermented cow milk (nono). This refreshing and nutritious drink is often enjoyed as a snack or light meal.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Dan Wake

Dan Wake, or Hausa Masa, is a sweet and savory snack made from rice flour and sugar. These small, fluffy pancakes are fried until golden brown and served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or honey.

Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria: Kunun Zaki

Kunun Zaki is a refreshing and nutritious beverage made from millet, ginger, and sugar. It is popular throughout Nigeria and is often served cold on hot days.

Miyan Kubewa

Miyan Kubewa, or Okra Soup, is a flavorful and slimy soup made from fresh okra, meat, fish, and spices. It is often served with tuwo shinkafa or other traditional Nigerian starches.

Fried Yam

Fried yam is a simple yet delicious Hausa delicacy made from sliced yams that are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. It is often enjoyed as a snack or side dish.

Miyan Yakuwa

A Northern Nigerian soup prepared with chopped yakuwa (sorrel) leaves will become one of your favorite soups once you try it with tuwondawa, mascara, shinkafa, or pounded yam.

Miyan Taushe

Miyan Taushe, or Pumpkin Soup, is a rich and creamy soup made from ripe pumpkins, tomatoes, onions, and spices. It is often served with tuwo shinkafa or other traditional Nigerian staples.

Gurasa

Gurasa is a type of flatbread made from wheat flour and yeast. It is similar to Indian naan bread and is often enjoyed with soups, stews, or grilled meats.

Snacks

Kilishi

Kilishi is a spicy dried meat snack that is similar to beef jerky but with a distinct Hausa twist. Thinly sliced beef or goat meat is marinated in a blend of spices, including chili powder, garlic, and ginger, before being air-dried to perfection.

Suya

Suya is perhaps one of the most famous Nigerian street foods, and the Hausa version is exceptionally flavorful.

It consists of skewered and grilled meat, typically beef or chicken, seasoned with a blend of spices, including ground peanuts, cayenne pepper, and ginger.

Kuli Kuli

Kuli Kuli is a popular Hausa snack made from groundnuts (peanuts) that are roasted, ground, and mixed with spices to form a crunchy snack. It is often enjoyed on its own or as a topping for salads and soups.

Kilishi Burger

This is a modern twist on the traditional Hausa snack, kilishi. It consists of a grilled beef patty topped with sliced kilishi, lettuce, tomato, and spicy sauce, all sandwiched between two buns.

Awara

Awara is one of the most eaten foods in the Northern part of Nigeria but mostly as snacks.

Though the food is seen as snacks in the Northern part of Nigeria, it is one of the most popular foods consumed there.

It has a fantastic meaty texture and flavor and is often offered in a block format.

Tuwon Sakwara/Pounded Yam

Tuwon Sakwara is a classic Nigerian dish that is smooth and stretchy dough made from boiled yams. It holds an esteemed place in Hausa cuisine.

Tuwon Sakwara is prepared by boiling yam chunks until soft and then pounding them to a stretchy, dough-like consistency.

That’s it lovelies, we’ve come to the end of this article which is 20 Traditional Hausa Foods in Nigeria That Define Northern Nigerian Cuisine.