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| Owo Ofibo served with boiled yam and plantain |
Owo is a traditional soup/sauce, native to the south – southern region of Nigerian(Benin-Bini, Urhobo, Delta, Itsekhiri, Ijaw, Isoko). It is a popular soup with a few variations, from different tribes.
To get this recipe, I contacted a few of our readers, who were very helpful.
According to Itsoken(from the Isoko tribe) Owo soup is prepared by adding some kind of carb/starch, which could be either sifted garri, edible starch or yam; and no tomato is added.
While Ofure(from Bini), will not add any kind of starch to hers’, but affirmed that blended tomato is a must when preparing owo in her home.
In honor of our south-southern people, today I bring to you the Benin(bini) version of Owo soup; and in upcoming posts, I’ll will be including other variations(without tomatoes?)(trust you’ll stay tuned).
So if you’ve been longing for Owo Ofibo or want to go outside you comfort zone, here’s a detailed recipe and of course, a video to guide you through. Trust you’ll enjoy!
++I’ll include other variations in upcoming posts +++
Ingredients
– 400 grams (about 10 pieces)Goat meat/ Bush meat or assorted meat
– Dried or smoked fish(as desired)
– 1 handful dried prawns
– 100 ml Palm oil
– Half teaspoon Potash(akaun)
– 1 cup tomato puree or 5 fresh tomatoes
– Fresh or dried pepper(to taste)
– 1 teaspoon ground Crayfish
– A small Onion bulb(chopped)(optional))
– 1 Seasoning cube
– Salt to taste
Note: fresh fish and shrimps can also be added, depending on your preference.
– Goat meat adds gives a distinct welcoming taste to this soup.
Directions
Before you cook the soup, start by prepping all the ingredients
a. Clean the dried fish and prawns with hot water and set aside.
b. Blend the tomatoes(optional) and pepper tip: most natives don’t add tomatoes at all, so omit it if you want to
c. Pound the potash to powder and also set aside for later use.
1. Wash the meat thoroughly in clean water, place in a pot, add chopped onions(optional), seasoning cube and salt to taste. Leave to boil in its juice for like 2 to 3 minutes, then add a little water and let the meat cook until done.
2. Add the cleaned fish and prawns into the pot of boiled meat; add the ground tomatoes and pepper.
Also add the ground crayfish and a little salt if necessary
Add about a cup of water, mix thoroughly and leave to boil for 10 minutes, stirring continously to prevent burning.
3. Dissolve the potash powder in 3 tablespoon of hot water, strain the mixture and carefully add the liquid into the pot. Mix thoroughly, put of the heat and let the soup cool for 8 minutes.
4. Finally, add the palm oil gradually and stir continoulsy until well combined.
Tip: you will notice that the soup is thicker and a little lighter in color when the palm oil is added.
Now you can serve this delicious Owo soup with boiled or roasted plantains, yams , Starch(usi), Eguoo(plantain usi) or any swallow of choice.
NOTE:
– Owo soup is usually cooked to be eaten on the same day.
– Urhobos and Isokos dont add tomatoes, but add starch, garri, or mashed yam
– Owo soup is also known as oghwo Ofigbo or ogwofibo.
Do let me know if you try out our recipes, I love to hear from you.
Don’t mind her. The binis prepare owo with tomatoes. There are many instances where my grandmother will convert leftover stew to work soup to be eaten with yam.
Author
Thank you Izegbe
Author
Ok thanks Tina, I will edit it 🙂
But you didnt say which of the regions you are from ?
That’s wrong. No tomato in owho soup please.
Author
Hi Angy, as I stated in the recipe intro, I was told that most Isoko people don’t add tomato but a lot of Beni people do.
so feel free to omit it and enjoy the recipe.
And if you have another version, please don’t hesitate to share, we’ll love to learn your method too.
Please im from esan in edo state with a delta mother. i know how to prepare Owo soup the delta way and the edo way ie the way i was taught, tomato was actual absent in all the recipe. To be precise most native dishes like Owo soup and other ones from other parts of the country if you make your investigations, they don’t use tomatoes in their preparations. I love your site and i have also learnt a lot from here.
Author
Hi Janet, thanks for your comment.
Like I said in the recipe.I am not from the south south
I got it from a reader, just like you
and was also told by some friends that there are other variations too.
I guess this is her own way of making Owo soup.
I will truly appreciate it if you can share yours too, so that we can learn from you too.
Expecting your recipe soon 🙂
My mum is from Edo state and this is exactly how they cook theirs. Well done..
Author
Thank you so much Doctor Chandus 😘👍
Hi , Im South African married to a Nigerian. He loves his food . I already know how to cook Stew, ogbolo, egusi. So now Im looking to spice things up with a few new soups . He 's from Benin
Author
Good to hear that Essie, you are surely in the right place 🙂
Hi, Thanks for the recipes . Im South African and learning more and more .
Author
You are very welcome Essie Paul, good to have you around hun 🙂
thanks for recipe. Pls can this be cooked with chicken in place of beef?
Author
The south south people might get angry over this, but ”whispering”….YES you CAN 😀
Thanks for this but it not a south eastern dish, it is a south south dish.
Author
You are right Patrick, that was a slight mistake and corrected already 🙂
Have been trying to comment for a while now since i fell in love with your site. Keep up the good job!!!! Simply love everything!!
I'm so glad you decided to comment today, good to have you here Adebecky and thanks for your lovely feedback 🙂
Looks yummy, want to try this 🙂
You'll be glad you did 🙂
I've always liked this soup, but to shy to ask my friend how she makes it.Thanks for putting it up here.I will try it at home
Hi Ann, good to see you. I'm glad to be of help and feel free to ask for any other recipe you like :)I'll be expecting your feedback.
hi Nky thanks for this.iv missed your emails. I will try this. I hope mine tastes as yummy as this looks.
I can assure you that it will tastes as yummy as mine 🙂 And So sorry for the long absence , good to hear from you again. I'll try to be as consistent as time allows me.Do lt me know how it turns out .
Looks yummy
thanks 🙂
Always on board ma we missed you, always checking ma mail for your update
Bukky luv, sorry for the long absence… I had so many things that needed my attention. Good to hear from you hun xoxo
Can I have some of your recipes please and thank for your good teachings I'm south African and love cooking Nigerian style as my man is from Naija I'm learning from your recipes day by day
Hi Kanye, good to hear from you.There are so many recipes on this website that you can try.You can also subscribe(at the top of the page)to our emailing list, so that you'ld get recipes in your email box.Keep me posted 🙂
am form nigrian too i live in Germany i love nigrian Food so sweet thank you so moun for all this food
KanyeSend us another recipes please I'm South African with a Nigerian man he likes his food I'm learning to cook Nigerian food n my man is very happy about me trying well done to your teachibgs
Wow, I enjoy cooking it with goat meat. great work, nice pix
Thanks Happiness, goat meat does give it a very nice taste 🙂
Nky, if u see the speed i used to run to comment, you will award me for it.lol. That aside, big thumbs up, u scored on this one as usual. Keep up the good work.
You're so funny and thanks again for helping out 🙂
Im Just seeing this post. Sorry Niky, there is no tomatoes in owo soup. Just an observation. I am isoko. Thanks
There are so many versións, in my place we add garri to the soup. All versions are OK depending on what part you come from.. Good job Nky