Edo traditional food

Edo traditional food consists of dishes or food items common among the people of Edo State. The State is home to various ethnic groups including the Binis (or Edos), Ishan (Esan), Afemai, Etsako, Uzebba Iuleha people [Owan] and others. The Traditional food found among these people usually involves soup and swallow. 'swallow' is a term for Nigerian meals that are taken with soup and ingested without chewing (Although there are few people who are actually chew before swallowing).[1][2]

Swallow

While the 'swallows' are common among most ethnic groups in Nigeria. The soups are unique to different ethnic group. the following are some of the native cuisines popular among Edo people.

Bini owo soup[3][4]

This is one simple soup eaten by the Edos. The soup is quite different in content from the owo (or Owho) of Urhobo people in southern Nigeria. It is prepare with palm oil, smoked fish and potash (Okawu or kan). The Potash is meant to give it a thick texture. It is usually served with yam, cocoyam or unripe plantain.

Groundnut soup[5]

This is another popular cousine among the Etsakor and owan people of Edo State. The groundnut soup is locally called Omisagwe in Estakor. it involves a blend of ground nut (peanuts), tomatoes, onions and a variety of meats such as chicken, beef or chevron. The soup is usually served with fufu, pounded yam, garri (Eba) or starch.

Corn soup[6][7]

Corn meal

Corn soup is a native soup of Afemai people in Edo State. This cuisine is locally called omi ukpoka. It is a blend of corn with smoked fish and green leaf. It is usually served with swallow such as; fufu, eba or pounded yam.

Black soup[8]

This is particularly common among the Ishan (Esan) and owan people. In Esan, the name for this nutritious soup is 'Omoebe soup'. The soup is a blend of bitter leaf and other vegetable including scent leaf (Effirin). The mixture of these vegetables gives the soup a dark colour. it usually served with semo, pounded yam, eba and fufu.