West African classics · Yado Market Blog
Fufu and Egusi: What It Is, How to Eat It & Where to Find It
It's the plate that brings families to the table across Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and the diaspora: a soft, stretchy ball of fufu with a rich, nutty egusi soup. Here's everything you need to know, from what's in it to how to eat it with your hands.
The short answer
Fufu and egusi is a classic West African meal. Fufu is a soft, smooth dough made from starchy foods like cassava, plantain or yam. Egusi is a thick, savory soup made with ground melon seeds, palm oil, leafy greens, peppers and meat or fish. You pinch off a piece of fufu with your fingers, dip it in the egusi and swallow it.
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Part 1
What Is Fufu?
Fufu is a soft, smooth, slightly stretchy dough eaten across West and Central Africa. It's what Nigerians call a "swallow": a starchy side that's used to scoop up soup instead of a spoon.
Traditionally, fufu was made by boiling starchy foods like cassava, plantain or yam and pounding them in a large wooden mortar until smooth. Today most home cooks use fufu flour: you stir the flour into hot water on the stove until it forms a thick, smooth dough in about 10 minutes.
On its own, fufu tastes mild and neutral. That's the point: it soaks up and balances the bold flavors of the soup it's served with.
Plantain fufu
Made from plantain (often blended with cassava). Smooth, soft and one of the easiest to make from flour.
Cassava fufu
Made from cassava root. Firmer and slightly tangy, especially when the cassava is fermented.
Pounded yam (iyan)
Made from yam. Fluffy, stretchy and a favorite with egusi in Nigeria. Instant pounded yam flour makes it quick.
Other swallows
Eba (from garri), amala (from yam flour) and oat fufu are also popular with egusi. Try a few and pick your favorite.
Part 2
What Is Egusi? What's in Egusi Soup?
Egusi is the name for the protein-rich seeds of certain melons and gourds grown in West Africa. The seeds are dried, shelled and ground into a coarse meal. Cooked into a soup, ground egusi thickens it and gives it a rich, nutty flavor and a slightly grainy, almost scrambled-egg texture.
Every family has its own version, but most egusi soup is built from the same six things:
01
Ground egusi
The star of the soup. Ground melon seeds that thicken the stew and add body and nutty flavor.
02
Red palm oil
Gives egusi its deep orange color and earthy flavor. Some cooks use vegetable oil instead.
03
Leafy greens
Spinach, bitter leaf or ugu (pumpkin leaves) stirred in at the end for color and freshness.
04
Meat & fish
Beef, goat, chicken or tripe, often with stockfish or dried fish. Many people mix several proteins.
05
Peppers & onions
Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers and onion, blended or chopped, for heat and sweetness.
06
Crayfish & seasoning
Ground crayfish, bouillon cubes like Maggi or Knorr, and sometimes iru (locust beans) for deep savory flavor.
Part 3
How to Eat Fufu and Egusi
Fufu is traditionally eaten with your hands, and it's easier than it looks. Here's how to do it the way it's eaten at home.
1
Wash your hands
Many homes and restaurants bring a bowl of warm water to the table. Wash before and after.
2
Use your right hand
In many West African cultures, eating with the right hand is the polite custom.
3
Pinch and shape
Pull off a bite-size piece of fufu, roll it into a small ball, and press a dent into it with your thumb.
4
Scoop and swallow
Use the dent to scoop up egusi, then pop it in your mouth. Traditionally fufu is swallowed with little chewing.
New to it? Nobody will mind if you ask for a spoon, and chewing is perfectly fine too. Start with small pieces while you get the feel for it.
Part 4
Make Fufu and Egusi at Home
You can find everything for fufu and egusi at Yado African & Caribbean Market in Chicago, or order online and have it shipped anywhere in the U.S. Start with these four essentials, then add your favorite meat, fish, greens and seasoning.
Fufu and egusi near me
Where to Eat Fufu and Egusi in Chicago
Not ready to cook? These Chicago restaurants serve egusi with fufu, pounded yam or another swallow. Tap a name to visit the restaurant. Hours at small family-run spots change often, so call ahead.
For addresses, phone numbers, what to order and what customers say, see our full guide to 29 African restaurants in Chicago.
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