Table of Contents

Ondo Cuisine

Pupuru (Fermented Cassava Meal)

A signature Ondo staple made from fermented cassava rolled into smooth balls; known for its smoky aroma and eaten with rich vegetable stews. 1)

Ila Alasepo (Mixed Okra Soup)

A hearty okra soup cooked with assorted meats, fish, and vegetables, giving it a chunky, flavorful texture loved across Ondo households. 2)

Ojojo (Water Yam Fritters)

Crispy fritters made from grated water yam and spices; often served as a breakfast snack or side dish. 3)

Obokun Inu Epo (Palm-Oil Poached Fish)

A traditional Ondo fish delicacy where fresh fish is simmered in hot palm oil with peppers and local spices for a tender, flavorful result. 4)

Ikale Pottage (Yam with Palm Oil & Vegetables)

A rustic dish from the Ikale people: yam chunks cooked with leafy greens, palm oil, pepper, and smoked fish. 5)

Ondo Jollof (Pepper-Rich Smoky Jollof)

A local take on jollof rice with a high pepper content and a distinctive smoky taste from wood-fired cooking. 6)

Gbegiri Alata (Spicy Bean Purée Soup)

A spicy Ondo version of gbegiri, made from peeled beans blended into a smooth, slightly peppery soup. 7)

Sese Plantain (Plantain Pottage)

Soft, ripe or unripe plantains cooked into a thick stew with palm oil, vegetables, and smoked fish—a comfort classic in coastal Ondo. 8)

Igbagba Oka (Corn Meal Pottage)

A porridge-like dish made from fresh corn kernels and vegetables, simmered into a mildly sweet, savory blend. 9)

Epiti (Cassava & Palm Oil Cake)

A baked or steamed cassava dish enriched with palm oil and sometimes dried fish; firm, colorful, and rich. 10)

Ilaje Seafood Pepper Soup

A coastal specialty from Ilaje communities, using fresh crab, prawns, periwinkle, and fish in a peppery, aromatic broth. 11)

Adi Agbon & Eja (Coconut Oil with Fish)

A dish prepared with home-rendered coconut oil, fried fish, and peppers—popular among coastal families. 12)

Ondo Hot Stew (Obe Ata Ondo)

A fiery pepper-tomato stew known for its bold flavor and generous use of locally grown chilies. 13)

Ekuru Elepo (White Bean Cake with Pepper Sauce)

Ekuru is a steamed unsalted bean cake served with a bright red pepper sauce mixed with palm oil and onions. 14)

Igba Gbinmi (Roasted Yam with Palm Oil Dip)

A simple but beloved Ondo snack: whole yams roasted in hot coals and dipped in fresh palm oil mixed with pepper and salt. 15)