Dorcas Dauda (R) and her son Marvin out the front of Mama Africa Kitchen and Cakes, which opened recently in Braddon. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Canberra’s first Nigerian restaurant has opened in Braddon and crowds have been flocking for a taste of West Africa.
The owner of Mama Africa Kitchen and Cakes, Dorcas Dauda, has been cooking for friends and family for many years but finally took the next step and opened her own business this year.
“Wherever I go, food is always my ‘thing’,” Dorcas told Region.
“Over the years, there has been a lot of push from my family to get my own place, so I decided it’s time. And we saw there was a gap in Canberra: there’s not much African food.”
Videos featuring dishes like egusi with swallow, jollof rice, and fried plantain have been gaining popularity on social media, so many customers are eager to taste the dishes they’ve only seen online. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The result is Mama Africa Kitchen and Cakes. All four of Dorcas’ adult children have been helping out since its opening in early August, and the community’s response has been overwhelming.
Dorcas’s son Marvin said they’ve been much busier than anticipated.
“We’ve been selling out of everything. We never could have predicted it, but the community has been so great.”
One of the biggest surprises was that their customers were already well versed in Nigerian dishes. Dorcas said that people from all cultures were already coming in, excited to try egusi, jollof and puff puff – dishes they’d seen on social media but never had the opportunity to taste.
Jollof rice is a staple dish in West Africa, with each country following a slightly different recipe, resulting in a friendly competitive spirit.
“The aroma from the smoky flavour draws people in. It’s a food that brings us together: and there is no party without jollof!” Dorcas said.
It is absolutely delicious: each grain is distinct and coated with tomato and capsicum flavours. It’s so easy to keep going back for another mouthful, and another mouthful!
In addition to takeaway dishes, you can order catering portions for large gatherings. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Egusi is a thick soup made from melon seed, with kale, chicken and dried crayfish. The strong flavours are married with palm oil, which carries the spices. The dish is traditionally paired with a swallow, a steamed dough made from cassava or yam. Dorcas demonstrates by pinching off a piece of swallow and using it to scoop up some of the egusi.
I also tasted a few snacks: fried plantain, puff puff doughnuts and chin chin (small biscuit-like crisps). Fried plantain is like the child of a banana and a hot chip, and I could eat it all day.
Dorcas also suggested I try some zobo to wash it all down. This hibiscus cordial is made with ginger and clove, creating a refreshing, zingy, spicy drink which was very good indeed.
In their opening days, the team saw queues down the street before they opened the doors! They’re working hard to improve their flow and get more staff trained up to cope with the demand. But although they are busy, the warm hospitality of Dorcas and her staff shines through.
In addition to the regular menu, you can also pre-order other Nigerian soups, stews and trays of rice in large sizes to cater for your next family gathering.
Just don’t forget the jollof … it’s not a party without it!
Mama Africa Kitchen and Cakes is located at G02/2 Batman St, Braddon. They are open from 10.30 am to 8.30 from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 3 to 9 pm on Sunday. Follow Mama Africa Kitchen and Cakes on Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
