![fufu and okra soup fufu and okra soup](https://www.jolloffetcetera.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Okra-Soup.png)
Some TikTok users believe it's necessary to slap it. Think of it as a tool – don't dip, scoop.įufu is typically covered in plastic wrap. Fufu is literally unseasoned dough that has no taste on its own. One mistake people sometimes make is not getting enough soup on each bite. OkayAfrica has an in-depth look at the different types of fufu, but beginners should stick to yam fufu. (In Nigeria, for example, "fufu" refers specifically to the dough made from fermented cassava, while dough made from yams is called pounded yam.)Īn entree of goat egusi with a side of fufu served at Bukom Cafe in Washington, DC. It's popular across West Africa, though various regions have different names for it depending on how it's made. Here's a guide to trying fufu and other West African dishes: What is fufu?īroadly speaking, fufu is a spongey dough that's made by mixing yam, cassava or other flours in hot water. "And then once you taste it, it tastes absolutely nothing like that." "I think like most people, by looking at it, you come up with your own idea of what it will taste like," Hull said of fufu. Two weeks after her trip to Veronica's Kitchen, Hull tried a second Nigerian restaurant in Inglewood, Aduke Nigerian Cuisine. It's not clear how long the trend will last, but so far it has created at least one repeat customer. (She ordered fufu and egusi soup with chicken.) "I think it's so cool how we are sharing each other's cultural foods and we're able to experience that and see actual reviews of people eating it and sharing their opinions," Kim said. She said the fufu challenge reminded her of the birria taco trend that swept the app over the summer. Hanna Kim, a 23-year-old community health worker from Los Angeles, made the trip after thumbing through TikTok videos. Many new customers had never tried Nigerian food before. A regular who visited Wednesday afternoon warmly called her "Madame TikTok" by way of greeting.
#Fufu and okra soup free#
TikTok users like Hull generally mention where they ordered from, which has led to free publicity for small, minority-owned businesses across the country.Īt Veronica's Kitchen, business quadrupled the week after Hull highlighted the restaurant, said owner Veronica Shoyinka, who has been selling Nigerian food in Los Angeles since the '90s. but people are going to be more intrigued to travel to Africa." At a minimum, it generates business locally. "It's not only going to create a business outlet for many African restaurants we have.
![fufu and okra soup fufu and okra soup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_K06s-rLCAs/maxresdefault.jpg)
It's a good thing that people are wanting to try," Atowo said. "It's a good thing that people are learning about our cultural food. He said his goal wasn't to start a trend, but he sees the popularity of fufu as a chance to direct money to businesses in the US and boost interest in travel to African countries. The rest of the clip consists of the sound of him quickly tearing through his plate and enjoying the dish.Ītowo said some West Africans – upset by videos of people spitting out fufu – have criticised videos like his online for turning the meal into a viral challenge. When he's hungry, he sits in front of his camera with dishes from Cameroon – he moved to the US when he was 12 – and starts each video by describing what's on his plate in his soothing voice. He has more than 260,000 followers and a no-frills approach to content creation – no soundtracks, special effects. One of the most prominent fufu advocates on TikTok is Keith Atowo, a 24-year-old pharmacy student from Ypsilanti, Michigan who goes by He is most known for sharing videos of himself eating – and sometimes cooking – traditional West African dishes and has helped introduce fufu to scores of people, including Hull. The #fufu or #fufuchallenge tags are a mixed bag of new fufu lovers like Hull people who, respectfully, said it wasn't for them people who, disrespectfully, spit it out and members of the African diaspora gently mocking or scolding those who tried it. The videos have been shared and debated publicly on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and privately on WhatsApp and in group chats. Across the app, #fufu videos have been watched more than 250 million times. To the surprise and amusement of the African diaspora, fufu is having a moment. "I just wanted to get some good food and record it, so that other people could see that it's good food," she said. "Oh my goodness, it's hitting." Hull's fufu videos quickly spread on TikTok, amassing more than 6 million views, but her intention was never to go viral. "I don't know what they put it in, I couldn't even start to guess," Hull said. "Bomb – it is so worth it," she said to her phone camera. * Wellington cookie artist becomes surprise social media sensationįrom her car, still parked outside the restaurant, she filmed herself as she dipped a mouthful of dough into the okro soup.
![fufu and okra soup fufu and okra soup](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/54/9f/71549fda0933a78827aea7c19d381dde.jpg)
* Hate the word 'moist'? Get over it - the alternatives are worse * Hospitality industry booming thanks to the return of our talented chefs