· 2 min read
Jollof is rice cooked in a tomato and pepper base. Here’s how it’s made, where the name comes from and how we serve it.
Jollof rice is the dish most people know first when they try Nigerian food. It’s the most-liked dish on our Uber Eats menu.
What it is
Jollof is rice cooked in a sauce of blended tomatoes, red peppers, scotch bonnet and onions, with stock and seasoning. The rice soaks up the sauce as it cooks, so every grain is red-orange and full of flavour.
Where the name comes from
The name is usually traced to the Wolof people of Senegal and The Gambia, whose old Jolof kingdom gave its name to a rice dish cooked in tomato. Versions spread across West Africa. Nigeria and Ghana both cook their own, and people in each country will tell you theirs is best.
Party jollof
At Nigerian parties, jollof is cooked in huge pots, often over a wood fire. The rice at the bottom catches and gives the whole pot a smoky taste. People call this “party jollof”, and many say it’s the best kind.
How we serve it
On our menu, jollof rice comes with a choice of fried beef, assorted or fish, and plantain if you want it. Fried plantain (dodo) is the classic side. Our guide to dodo explains why.
Jollof or fried rice?
We also cook Nigerian fried rice. They’re very different dishes. Read our guide to Nigerian fried rice to see which suits you.
Try it
Hungry?
See what’s on our menu, book a table at 13 Pier Road, or order for collection or delivery.