It’s weather for two. Yes, people and food!
When it rains in Lagos, it pours: flooded streets, very little traffic, and a craving for something warm and spicy. Those who are lucky not to be out and about get to enjoy the coziness of staying indoors. And then comes the food cravings.
Now, whether you’re indecisive or have a go-to meal, here’s your essential rainy day menu in Lagos:
Hot Amala & Ewedu with Gbegiri + Assorted
Top of the list, and for good reason. Soft amala, ewedu, gbegiri, and a variety of meat. This meal feels like a warm hug. Typically, eating swallow (amala, garri, fufu) is going to send you to sleep, no questions asked— yeah, it’s that kind of meal. Amala is a staple Yoruba dish made from unripe yam, plantain, and cassava flour, mixed and beaten into submission on fire and served with Ewedu (jute leaves) and Gbegiri (beans soup), of course, with the exciting servings of different meat to choose from. “Amala = a rainy nap”
Places to try: Amala Sky, Yellow Chilli.
Budget: from N5000
Pepper Soup (Catfish or Goat Meat)
It’s not just food, it’s therapeutic. Soup is a global dish, but this is the Nigerian version, with spices and flavours that will have you slurping and sniffling greedily. Whether you like it fishy or rich with goat meat and spice, this is how to fight cold and heartbreak.
Optional: White rice.
Noodles + Egg + Pepper Overload
In rainy weather, noodles are never basic. Now there are noodles and then Lagos noodles, what’s the difference? The difference is the spice and local flair, which makes it perfect for the weather. We’re talking colorful sliced peppers, spring onions, spinach, celery, tomatoes, eja kika (smoked whiting fish), strips of chicken, shrimps— if you’re feeling bougie, and a fried egg that sits on top— “overload”. Lagosians personalize it anyway they want. With noodles in Lagos—anyway, na way! It’s quick, it’s hot, easy to make, and it tastes like a good idea—even if it’s 11:00 pm and you want “a quick snack”.
Places to try: Indomie Cafe, Chow Noodle
Budget: N2500
Hot Beverages: Tea, Coffee, or Hot Chocolate
This is for the Tea lovers and hot chocolate girlies. Nothing beats a hot cup of something when rain is beating against your window. Lagosians like hot chocolate; most of us grew up drinking it every morning to school, and now it’s a thing we do, especially on rainy days. Or you started from sips of your Grandparents’ cup of coffee, now you’re grown-up and following in their footsteps. Well, we can all agree, a hot cup of tea or whatever you fancy, on a rainy day, is nostalgia overload. So, slip into something comfy, and relax— Lagos can wait, for now, just enjoy the peace and fond memories.
Bonus: you can pair with cookies. A blanket is not optional.
Bole + Fish
No need to overthink. It’s just roasted plantain and grilled fish— Well, yes and NO. Bole and Fish, which is usually smoked with heavy spicy sauce. This is definitely top 3 best Lagos street foods, and on a rainy day? Now that’s a piece of heaven you didn’t know was so close to you. Smoky, saucy, spicy, and messy in all the best ways.
Pro tip: Best served with ice cold Beer.
Akara + Pap
Soft and simple. Akara is a peak Nigerian snack, especially when fresh off the stove. Pair it with creamy pap (or Ogi, if you’re old school) and rainy day heaven. Add milk, sugar, or honey and enjoy the nostalgia of an old-school Lagos Breakfast.
Puff Puff
An OG Lagos snack. Sweet, soft, golden brown, and dangerously easy to finish. Puff puff with rain is comfort. Puff puff with zobo or tea? Pure joy. Best served hot.
