In the busy streets of Lagos, a state that never sleeps; one culinary maestro has maintained its line of customers through Nigeria’s economic huddles, turning everyday ingredients into mouthwatering delights. Welcome to the world of Mama Put, Nigeria’s most beloved street chef, whose flavourful and affordable meals have become a cultural phenomenon for every class of citizen in Nigeria.
“In my area, Okota, a food joint that sells a portion of rice for N500, a portion that will go nowhere in satisfying me. So I buy two portions, which is N1000 spent already before I have even ordered meat or Kpomo,” Happiness Thomas said.
“But with N500 naira, I can buy two portions of rice from Mama Put and one meat. So it is very affordable,” Thomas said.
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Nestled in almost every corner of Lagos, Mama Put’s modest open-air kitchen always grabs one’s appetite with the lustful scents wafting from her sizzling pots; creating an oasis of culinary bliss. From sunrise to sunset, the rich blend of spices invites locals and visitors to her humble abode of local delicacies.
For some who visit the bustling corner of her kitchen, it inspires a sense of nostalgia. Tolulope, who is far from home, told Businessday “It reminds me of home.”
“My profession allows me little time to visit home and see my parents in Ibadan. But when I eat from Mama Put, I get a taste of home. It is the Amala and ewedu with gbegiri that I enjoy eating,” Tolulope said. “Or fufu and a well-furnished plate of egusi soup,” he said.
“It also saves time, instead of preparing something from the house,” Tolulope added.
Mama Put, with hands that move with practised precision, orchestrates a symphony of flavours, transforming simple ingredients into mouth-watering masterpieces. Her kitchen is a stage, and every dish is a performance, leaving taste buds applauding in delight.
The menu, a vibrant tapestry of Nigeria’s diverse culinary heritage, features iconic dishes like (Jollof rice. Rice with stew and beans or moi moi. Amala with stew and ewedu or Amala with ewedu and gbegiri. Pounded yam with a variety of soups such as egusi, efo riro, vegetable soup etc).
Each dish is a testament to Mama Put’s dedication to preserving tradition while infusing her own creative twists.
The heart of Mama Put’s kitchen is the bubbling pots of stew that hold the secret to her irresistible flavours; commonly referred to as Buka stew or Obe ata. The aroma of tomatoes, peppers, onions, iru and a rich blend of spices fills the air in an open invitation to waiting patrons and passersby. Each scoop tells a story of culinary expertise passed down through generations.
But it is not just the food that makes Mama Put’s kitchen a cultural hub; it is also its affordable nature that appeals to most patrons.
“It is affordable and it tastes good. It is also readily available. There is even one in our street, so I buy food on my way to work because I leave early each day,” Taiwo said.
Gola Writes, a content creator, was also of the same opinion, “When I desire to eat something that is not cooked by me and I want it at a cheaper price, I visit Mama Put. I can get much more than going to a restaurant that costs more but is not satisfying in quantity.,” Gola Writes said.
Mama Put has become a culinary ambassador for Nigeria. Through her food, she invites everyone to experience the nation’s culinary heritage.
Mama Put’s legacy is more than just a street-side eatery; it is a celebration of Nigeria’s flavours, a testament to the culinary magic that can be found in the most unassuming corners of the world.
