Best food in Lagos isn’t always in restaurants—it often lives in our homes, in the smells and stories that travel from the kitchen to the table.
Surprising My Mum in Lagos: A Feast of Family, Food & Reconnection
“Did you sleep well?”
“Best sleep I’ve had in a while,” I responded, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
In just a few hours, I’d be surrounded by the people who loved me the most on this Earth. Tomorrow was my mother’s birthday, and the house would be bursting with life. My brother, his wife and children, along with my cousins and their families, were all coming. But today, Utibe and I had our own little plan — we were going to surprise my mother, who had no idea I was even in town.
The last time I saw Utibe was nine years ago, before I left for my master’s in New Zealand. In that time, our lives have taken different turns. Utibe was now married with twin girls, and I was now the Editor-in-Chief at a successful fashion magazine in New Zealand.
It took me a while to reach my dream career, but even then, a void remained. I missed my family. I missed my sister’s loud laughter, my brother’s cheeky jokes, my father’s warm hugs, and my mother’s wise words and witty comebacks. Most of all, I missed her cooking — that warm, homely taste that no Michelin chef or even the best restaurants in Lagos could replicate.
Finding the Best Food in Lagos at Home
Because while I love exploring the best food in Nigeria and tasting the best food in Lagos, nothing compares to the meals cooked with love in a mother’s kitchen.
A Friendship Built Around Food and Family
It was my mother’s food that drew Utibe into my life and kept her there. I was 14 when Utibe’s family moved into the flat opposite ours. Our families exchanged polite greetings, and later, Utibe joined my school and became my classmate. She was shy and reserved, while I was outgoing with many friends.
One morning, as I prepared to leave for school, Utibe’s mother offered me a ride. During the drive, her mother chatted casually, but Utibe remained quiet. At school, I thanked them and went about my day.
By the next day, Utibe’s mother offered another ride. I asked if Utibe could start walking home with me and my friends afterward, and she agreed. From that moment, a lifelong friendship began — one seasoned with laughter, trust, and above all, food.
The Magic of Afang Soup
Utibe loved food, and my mother loved feeding her. Of all the dishes my mother made, Utibe’s favorite was her garri and afang soup. Whenever that was on the menu, she’d dance with excitement. She never ate with cutlery or at the dining table — she preferred to sit on the floor, legs spread, with bowls of garri and afang soup before her.
She’d roll up the garri, make a small dent with her thumb, fill it with vegetables, fish, pomo, or periwinkles, and savor each bite. After every meal, she’d always ask for seconds — and then lick her plate clean. My mother adored her enthusiasm.
Before we all left for university, Utibe begged my mother to teach us how to make the dish. One afternoon, she guided us through every step. She explained that the flavor came from fresh ingredients — water leaves, ukazi leaves, crayfish, stockfish, fresh fish, pomo, periwinkles, meat, pepper, and palm oil. Above all, she said the real secret was cooking with love.
Homecoming in Lagos
“Start getting ready, and come have breakfast, so you can dress up after,” Utibe said as she got up from my bed. After my bath, I headed downstairs to greetings from Utibe’s husband and her twin girls. Just then, nostalgia embraced me — from the kitchen came an aroma I hadn’t smelled in years.
I rushed in to find bowls of afang soup stacked neatly in plastic containers. Tears filled my eyes. “This is our favourite meal in this house. My love letter to my family,” Utibe beamed. I pulled her into a hug, realizing that the food legacy my mother began had taken root in her home too.
The True Taste of Lagos
Tomorrow, my mother turns 65. Just as she once prepared this meal for us with love, Utibe has now done the same for her own family. And who knows? Perhaps Utibe’s children — and mine someday — will carry this legacy forward, passing on not just the recipe, but the love behind it, to generations yet to come.
So while I’ll always enjoy dining at the best restaurants in Lagos and sampling the best food in Nigeria, I know that no meal can ever beat the one made at home with heart. For me, Lagos will always be a city where love is served hot — one bowl of afang soup at a time.
Call to Action
If you’re looking for the best food in Lagos or want to experience authentic Nigerian cuisine, remember: the greatest flavors might already be simmering in your own kitchen. Still, if you’re visiting and want to try local favorites that rival home-cooked meals, then book a tour at Naija Food Tour and thank us later.