Leaf Soup: How to Prepare Delicious Garden Egg Leaves Soup

August 16, 2025 Odiraa

Garden Egg Leaves Soup (Ofe Mbuba): How to Prepare Delicious Nigerian Leaf Soup

When it comes to Nigerian soups, some may not be as popular as Egusi soup, Ogbono soup, or Bitterleaf soup, yet they hold a special place in many homes.

One of such treasures is the Garden Egg Leaf Soup, also called Ofe Mbuba or Ofe Akwukwo Anara in Igbo.

This soup is unique, packed with nutrients, and loved by many who discover its unforgettable taste.

My First Encounter with Garden Egg Leaf Soup

The very first time I tasted Garden Egg Leaf Soup (Ofe Mbuba) was in a popular local restaurant where customers constantly requested it.

The demand was always so high that if you didn’t arrive early, the soup would be sold out before you got a chance to order. That alone made me curious to know what made this soup so special.

Before then, I only knew garden egg leaves as something eaten raw—washed and paired with fresh cayenne pepper and salt.

My grandmother often encouraged me to eat it that way for its rich nutritional benefits, though I never really enjoyed the slightly bitter taste.

But the day I finally tried the soup, everything changed. The bitterness I once associated with the leaves was gone, replaced with a delightful, savory flavor I had never experienced before.

It was at that moment that I realized why Garden Egg Leaf Soup is considered one of the most cherished Igbo traditional soups.

What Makes Garden Egg Leaf Soup Special?

Garden egg leaves soup is an Igbo traditional soup similar in preparation to Uha soup, though not as widely known. Despite being underrated, it is very tasty and surprisingly easy to prepare. Once you try it, you’ll likely add it to your list of favorite Nigerian soups.

Beyond its taste, the health benefits of garden egg leaves make this soup even more valuable. Garden egg leaves are:

Rich in vitamins and minerals
Known to reduce cholesterol
Help regulate blood sugar levels
High in potassium
Beneficial for weight management
Excellent for boosting blood levels in people who are anaemic

No wonder this leaf soup is often regarded as both food and medicine.

Ingredients for Garden Egg Leaf Soup

To prepare this delicious Nigerian soup, you’ll need:

10 medium-sized pieces of cow meat
1 stock fish head
7 medium-sized stock fish fillets (preferably the soft type)
2 medium-sized dry fish
1 medium onion
3 seasoning cubes
Salt to taste
Water for cooking
5 tablespoons ground crayfish
1 wrap of ogiri (local seasoning)
4 medium fresh peppers
3 cooking spoons of palm oil
4 tablespoons achi (or cocoyam as a thickener)
Fresh garden egg leaves (as desired)

Step-by-Step Preparation of Garden Egg Leaf Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Proteins

Wash the cow meat thoroughly with salt water and set aside.
Clean and cut open the stock fish head, wash the fillets, and set aside.
Scrub the dry fish with salt and an iron sponge to remove sand and oil, soak briefly in hot water, transfer into cold water, and carefully debone.

2: Prepare Other Ingredients

Chop the onion.
Coarsely blend fresh pepper.
Grind crayfish and achi separately.
If using cocoyam as a thickener, boil until soft, peel, and pound into a smooth paste.
Wash and cut the garden egg leaves into sizeable pieces.

3: Cooking Procedure

Place the washed meat, stock fish head, and fillets into a clean pot.
Add chopped onion, two seasoning cubes, and salt. Steam for 5 minutes.
Pour in two cups of water and boil for 20 minutes to soften the stock fish.
Add dry fish, pepper, ground crayfish, ogiri, and the remaining seasoning cube. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Add palm oil and allow the raw taste to reduce. Stir in achi (or cocoyam paste) to thicken.
Adjust the water based on your preferred thickness. Season with salt to taste.
Finally, add the washed garden egg leaves, stir, and allow to simmer for 2 minutes before removing from the heat.

Your delicious Garden Egg Leaves Soup (Ofe Mbuba) is ready to serve! Enjoy it hot with pounded yams, fufu, semovita, or eba.

Why You Should Try Garden Egg Leaves Soup

Unlike the popular Egusi soup or Bitterleaf soup, garden egg leaf soup remains one of Nigeria’s underrated traditional dishes.

However, its unique flavor, cultural significance, and amazing health benefits make it worth trying. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why many Igbo families hold it close to their hearts.

Final Thoughts

So, if you’re looking for something different from the usual Nigerian soups, why not try this garden egg leaf soup recipe? It’s simple, healthy, and full of authentic Nigerian flavor.

Have you ever tasted Ofe Mbuba before? Share your experience in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts!