If you've just moved to the UAE — or you're finally ready to cook the food you grew up with — a West African kitchen can feel hard to assemble far from home. It isn't. Three or four core ingredients unlock most of the classics. Here's the starter pantry and how to use each piece.

Egusi — the heart of the soup pot

Ground melon seeds, Egusi Powder (AED 16.99), thicken and enrich the iconic egusi soup. Fry it with palm oil, stock, leafy greens and your protein, and you've got a pot that feeds the whole family. It's the dish that makes a house smell like home.

Garri — your everyday workhorse

Yellow Garri (premium Nigerian cassava garri, 1kg) (AED 17.99) does it all: soak it cold with sugar and groundnuts for a quick garri drink, or stir it into hot water for eba to eat with soup. Every Nigerian pantry has a bag.

Cassava flour & swallows

For a smooth, stretchy fufu-style swallow, Cassava Flour (AED 13.99) is your base — stir into hot water and knead until smooth. Pair it with your egusi or any rich soup.

A starter shopping list

Egusi powder, a bag of yellow garri, cassava flour, palm oil and your favourite seasoning will get you through most West African staples. Browse the full range in our West Africa collection, with West Africa · Swallow & Flours and West Africa · Soup & Spices to round it out. For the wider Nigerian range, see the Nigeria collection.

Getting it delivered

Mekazon delivers West African groceries across Dubai and the UAE with cash on delivery. Order before 1 pm for same-day dispatch.

Frequently asked questions

What is egusi made of? Ground melon seeds — used to thicken and flavour West African soups.

What's the difference between garri and fufu? Garri is processed cassava granules (eaten as eba or a cold drink); fufu is a soft swallow, here made from cassava flour kneaded with hot water.

Where can I buy Nigerian food in Dubai? Mekazon stocks egusi, garri, cassava flour and more, delivered across the UAE with COD.

Do you ship West African food outside Dubai? Yes — across the UAE, and many items ship worldwide.