Gen Z has unconsciously modelled itself after the 1900s with the rise of media Puritanism, its use of “shade” and “tea” as slang, and most importantly, its obsession with books and reading.
Books have become quite essential, and a classic purchased at 6000 naira in 2023 is now selling for 22,000 naira at the same store.
With no difference from my peers, I spend the average month reading a book or two. My poison for the first week of April was The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue.
From 1714 to 1789, in LaRue’s words, she details how she travelled the world, discovered oceans, poetry, Voltaire and participated in the French Revolution. However, LaRue’s world travel notes are put to shame when she accidentally finds herself in Italy in 1789. LaRue realised that she had travelled the world but had never left France.
Abuja, or The Buj as the kids say, is the capital city of Nigeria. As a Lagosian, I typically feign intolerance of the town, it being geographically in the middle of Nigeria adds another level of pretentiousness. The Buj might be the centre of Nigeria but Lagos is the centre of excellence.
On a more serious note, I do love the city and it seems to have everything– excluding a personal ocean. Several nationalities have social hubs here, in other words, one can travel the world, interact with natives, and never leave Abuja.
So I took on the project of exploring as many foreign meals and cultures as I could. A global trip from Asia to South America, here is my experience in various countries and other bonuses.
Tip: Nothing opens in Abuja before 10, try 11 for surety’s sake.
EUROPE:- ITALY:
The Buj boasts an array of Italian eateries; Pomodoro Pasta Truck, Cantina Restaurant, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, and Ciao Italia are a few names. I explored Pomodoro and Ciao Italia; Pomodoro which translates to tomato from Italian to English. It is described as a pasta-themed food truck as its menu solely serves pasta– penne and spaghetti are a fan favourite. The menu is equally on-the-run friendly.
Address: MI Ahmad Plaza, Wuse 2.
Ciao Italia, now that was little Italy with Italians, basil plants, hammock chairs, and red and white chequered tablecloths at the scene. Strategically located at Central Park, the restaurant is the perfect place to explore Italian dishes made by Italians. “Ciao Bella, won’t you try my pizza.” Yes, I would have, if the price tag for the pasta was not above 10,000.
-NETHERLANDS:
With an exterior adopting the Dutch brick architectural style and upon opening the door, there is a jingle reminiscent of the one made by ice cream trucks. The Dutch style theme extends to behind the counter within, however, like the Barbie summer of 2023, everything on the inside is pink. There are a few brown chairs and tables but they are drowned out by the pink wallpaper. Welcome to Stroop Pops, a Dutch dessert shop, just as the name suggests, it is the home of the Dutch snack– Stroopwafel. The Stroopwafels are priced at 3800 naira. If you’re feeling Dutch enough, take on the challenge and stack your Stroopwafels, then eat it like a burger.
Address: 1 Konoko Crescent, Wuse 2 (It is a 2-minute walk from Pomodoro).
-TURKEY:
Hidden among the trees of the BMT Gardens is the zenith of Turkish cuisine– Anatolia. Right next to the BMT Zoo, Anatolia has two separate buildings; the main restaurant and the VIP one. If a snacker, the main hall offers an array of Turkish snacks excluding the world-famous Turkish delight. The chefs are Turkish and the meat is imported. Rumour has it that Anatolia will be adding a family section where people can grill their meat themselves.
Address: BMT African Garden, Wuse 2.
SOUTH AMERICA:- MEXICO:
If you are looking to partake and explore yourself in a foreign culture, Casa Mexicana is the perfect place for you. It offers authentic Mexican dishes and allows guests to try on local Mexican attires for free. There is also a gift shop that sells jewellery and garments. At Casa Mexicana, there is the option of eating outside and on a balcony, however, I’d suggest going inside. The indoor ambience sets the stage for a thorough experience with decorative red shelves that add a religious edge– think, the living room of a religious grandmother (abuela) in a Mexican soap opera. The tacos are a must-try, they range from 8000 to 10000 naira.
It is a dining and shopping destination where you can enjoy and explore exquisite Mexican meals, handcrafted silver jewellery, arts, and crafts created by the talented descendants of ancient Mexican civilisations. I am not picking favourites, nevertheless, put Casa Mexicana at the top of your list.
Address: Ceddi Plaza.
-AMAZON JUNGLE:
“Are there gorillas in the Amazon Jungle?” Theoretically, the answer is negative because Gorillas are native to Africa. However, if the Amazon Jungle is in Africa, it would have a couple of gorillas and if you want to party with one, then the Amazonia restaurant might interest you as it did me.
It is borderline impossible to find the door into Amazonia, it is hidden to the naked eye, a trick of the light, but once you tell the security what you are looking for, you will step into a rainforest-themed
restaurant with water constantly running down the glass-encased plants on the wall. The gorillas only come out to dance once your meal is served. The menu is a blend of South American and Asian flavours.
Address: 7 Hambori Street, Wuse 2.
ASIA:- KOREA:
There is a building for every state in Nigeria, but the second floor of the Rivers State building is equivalent to a trip to the Far East Asian nation, Korea. There is something for everyone at the Korea Cultural Centre (KCC). A mini museum that explains all aspects of Korean culture, a wall dedicated to its traditional masks, a globe connected to a screen which shows you the various Korean centres in any country your hands land on, a wall explaining the writing systems, and a Taekwondo dojo.
The Taekwondo dojo offers classes for kids and adults, it costs 12000 naira for an adult and the uniform is 5000 naira. The KCC organises multiple Korean-themed events and fortunately for me, the day I arrived was a K-Pop dance training and two days later, I attended a K-Beauty event. The centre is open from 8 am – 4 pm (they are very strict with the time) and entrance is free.
Address: 2nd floor, Rivers State Building; 83 Ralph Shodeinde St, Central Business District.
-JAPAN:
Every global food train in Nigeria can be found on Aminu Kano Crescent, excluding Johnny Rockets at Konoko Crescent, but the rest can be found there. Abuja’s very own Admiralty Way… I can not help myself. However, the best seafood meals you will get can not be found on Aminu Kano Cr, but on a street off it, where the magic happens. Field & Ocean is a Japanese restaurant which doubles as the first Teppanyaki Restaurant at the heart of Abuja.
Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that involves cooking food, including steak, seafood, and vegetables, on a flat iron grill. The chef often performs a show as they cook the food, displaying impressive knife skills and entertaining the diners. This interactive and theatrical dining experience is popular in many Japanese restaurants across the globe.
Address: HSE 4 Dar-Es-Salam Street, Wuse 2.
-CHINA:
Pasta is great but if you are down to switch it up and take an Eastern trip then Chow Mein is perfect for you and I– pasta lovers. Chow mein is a dish of Chinese stir-fried noodles with vegetables and sometimes meat or tofu. In my search for a Chinese restaurant, I stumbled on Woks and Koi. Luckily for me, Woks and Koi have separate halls for the fine dining and the takeaway eaters.
So I had the option to save the other guests from the envy of my chopstick skills, but I did not choose that option.
Fun Fact: The walls within Woks & Koi are decorated with motifs of the koi fish. A koi fish, also known as Nishikigoi, is a type of ornamental fish that has been selectively bred for its vibrant colours. Koi fish are often kept in outdoor ponds and water gardens for decorative purposes due to their striking and diverse colour patterns, symbolising friendship, good fortune and longevity.
Address: 18 Durban Street, Wuse 2.
-INDIA:
Masala Wahala is impossible to miss as its aroma is easily picked up by the nose from stalls across its location at Ceddi Plaza. The menu along with the ambience focuses on Southern Indian culture. For the sake of the plot, I decided to try something off their vegetarian menu, I won’t say what it was but it was amazing, and I recommend experimenting with meals when in India.
Address: Ceddi Plaza.
BONUS: -PRISON:
When it comes to creativity and uniqueness, Renao Restaurant takes the cake. At first glance, Renao could be mistaken for a regular restaurant targeted towards a young demographic. It is less fancy than most places on this list but you can play billiard. However, after a 5-minute walk into the establishment, it becomes hard to ignore the large latitudinal height marker– the background wall in mugshots.
But the jail references do not end there, Renao has actual cells with cuffs and orange jumpsuits.
The experience of eating while locked up is optional and costs 25000 naira. It is inclusive of a food platter and can only be made via reservation. It has a Nigerian menu and also serves pasta and chips.
Note: They do not open on Mondays and they close by midnight.
Address: Renao Street, Garki.
-50s:
The average young adult bears similar sentiments about the 50s. If you throw a 50s theme party, your guests will likely fall into three subgroups; the bikers, the rockstars, and the midwives. It is the only thing people loved about the 50s, they were quirky and loved jukeboxes. Johnny Rockets brings all these to the table. The retro diner looks straight out of an Elvis Presley biopic, the menu matches that too. Try a beef burger and grab a milkshake.
Address: Discovery Mall, 215 Konoko Crescent, Wuse.
By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
