Ogbono Soup: The Slippery Legend of Nigerian Kitchens
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If Egusi soup is the king, then Ogbono soup is the clever chief—slippery, rich, and full of flavor. Known for its thick, drawy texture and earthy taste, Ogbono is one of Nigeria’s most iconic soups. It’s the soup you cook when you want to impress your elders or win someone’s heart through their stomach.
Whether you like it plain or with everything inside, today you're going to learn how to make it like someone who grew up eating it every Sunday after church.
🍲 What is Ogbono Soup?
Ogbono soup is made from ground ogbono seeds (wild mango or bush mango). The seeds release a natural mucilage that thickens the soup into a signature stretchy, gooey consistency. It’s perfect with swallows like pounded yam, amala, fufu, or eba.
This soup is especially popular among the Igbo people, but it’s cooked and loved in various forms across Nigeria.
🫕 Ingredients
1.5 cups ground ogbono seeds
1/2 cup palm oil
1–2 lbs assorted meats (beef, goat, shaki, cow leg, etc.)
Stockfish or dried fish (optional but adds depth)
1/2 cup ground crayfish
1 tbsp ground pepper or Cameroon pepper
1–2 bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
1 chopped onion
2 cups meat stock or water
A handful of bitterleaf, ugu, or spinach (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
Boil your meats with salt, onions, and seasoning until soft. Keep the stock.
In a separate bowl, mix the ground ogbono with a bit of warm palm oil until smooth.
Heat the remaining palm oil in a pot. Add the ogbono paste and stir gently on low heat until it begins to draw.
Slowly pour in your meat stock, stirring as you go to maintain the stretchy consistency.
Add your crayfish, pepper, and seasoning. Let it simmer gently.
Add the meats and fish. Cook together for about 10 minutes.
Stir in your vegetables if using, and simmer for another 3–5 minutes.
Serve hot with your favorite swallow!
🌍 Learn the Language of Ogbono
Let’s learn some related words in three Nigerian languages:
❀ Igbo
Ogbono = Ogbono
Soup = Ofe
Meat = Anu
Leaf = Akwọ
Water = Mmiri
❀ Yoruba
Ogbono = Apon
Soup = Obe
Meat = Eran
Leaf = Ewé
Water = Omi
❀ Hausa
Ogbono = Ogbono (or Miyar taushe, depending on style)
Soup = Miyar
Meat = Nama
Leaf = Ganye
Water = Ruwa
Want to learn full sentences? Want to pronounce them right? Download NKENNE and speak these languages with ease.
📸 Made Ogbono soup?
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