Nkechi African Cafe
| Related: | wingstop staten island |
| Related: | lollicup roseville |
| Address: | 2717 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, USA |
| Phone: | +1 323-541-1265 |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 12:30–8PM 12:30–8PM 12:30–8PM 12:30–8PM 12:30–10PM 12:30–8PM Closed |
Location
Photos 63
Reviews 28
FE
Felix Lee
Most African restaurants in LA serve Ethiopian cuisine. Food from the Western regions of Africa are more difficult to find. Veronicas Kitchen and Nkechi African Cafe, both family-owned restaurants in Inglewood, are the only restaurants in LA that offer a taste of Nigeria. Staples of Nigerian cuisine appear to be heavy flavored dry soups and very spicy meat stews, eaten with a starchy mound of yam dough called fufu. On a Friday evening, we ordered two very traditional Nigerian specialties: isi-ewu also known as a spicy goat casserole and an egusi soup which is a viscous soup prepared with ground melon seeds. Nkechis offering of isi-ewu was critical in my decision to try Nkechi instead Veronicas Kitchen, which only has nkwobi (cow leg) on the menu. I wanted to eat something exotic that night. Isi-ewu is a unique and impressive stew for adventurous eaters. The main component of this dish is the goat head and the stew includes the brain! The preparation process is extremely tedious, as all the goat hairs have to be removed and the head needs to be thoroughly washed. The head is steamed/boiled, cut into smaller pieces, and then the meat stock is simmered in a sauce that contains a blend of chili spices and seasoning. This Nigerian delicacy is extremely spicy, and the sauce was a bit overwhelming compared to the flavors of the meat, so be prepared to order some water or a palm wine if you need to relieve the overwhelming heat. On the other hand, egusi soup is more mellow. It is a viscous soup consisting of melon seeds, spinach, and a choice of meat (fish, chicken, mutton, cow leg). The preparation of this most popular Nigerian soup is also labor intensive, requiring melon seeds to be ground and made into a paste before the paste is mixed with spices stir-fried, and then the product is boiled with meat stock. We chose tilapia as the stock, which was dry and had bones. The taste was slightly bitter but also very rich, which was not expected for a soup with similar consistency of Chinese porridge. The soup is very nutritious and many Nigerians enjoy it with fufu, a firm white ball pounded from from yam flour. Fufu is generally flavorless so it is used to scoop up soup or stew (similar function to injera in Ethiopian cuisine, I think). Portions at Nkechi are generous and two hungry diners can easily share a soup and meat stew, then bring home leftovers. Service was prompt and the server was extremely patient. Everyone else at the restaurant were native-Africans, so this seems to be the place to find local African food. The damage for this dinner was $45 not including tip, which is expensive for only 2 dishes but understandable considering the native spices and fresh ingredients used, as well as the amount of labor required to prepare each dish.
EB
Eboa Jazz
Ok heres what happened..I like to eat african and luckily for me I live with females who love to cook but im flexible bcoz I eat and crave fast food too. So one day everybody in the house traveled and I was left at my own mercy whether or not to try to cook me some African food or eat fast food. I got so hungry at one point and began searching online to see what restaurant sounded good and booom!! I stumbled upon Nkechis..., read the online reviews and quickly felt confident goin there. Schemed thru the menu and reluctantly went for the ogbono soup and fufu with goat meat (Essie-wu), then laced it with some palm wine...O.M.G!!!! Thats all I will say.
OM
Omar A. Muhammad, Th.M
Dr. Diop and his crew put FAMILY in a family practice. I have been working with him and his staff for over 17 years now. He has known and cared for my children since they were infants. My children love him and so do we . I highly recommend Dr Diop for any of your medical concerns; hes sensitive and knowledgeable hes a great doctor all around. The upgrades to the waiting room is much appreciated its now a fresh, bright, and inviting place to be . Keep GOING!
NI
Nina Pennington
I just finished the food. And let me tell you it is so good! I had the Egusi soup and fufu and it was so yummy....they give you a gang of food! The service is excellent and the place is welcoming. I will NEVER EVER go near Veronicas again in life now that I found Nkechi.
AN
Anuli Okolo
Good experience and food. We had the stew with rice,plantains,suya,moi-moi and egosi soup with assorted meats. Kinda pricy but nigerian food can be expensive due to ingredients. We will come back if we are in LA again.
BU
Bukky Adio
Service was poor. Waitress was rude. Waited over an hour to get our food. When my food finally arrived, my egusi and fried fish was killed with salt. Service was terrible. I definately wont come back to this place.
AS
Ashley Simpson
Iam african american ...my husband is african and has introduced me to african food ....I mean to Say THE FOOD WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC I ATE IT YESTERDAY AND IN NEED OF MORE BUT THEY ARE CLOSED ITS SUNDAY
PR
Princeduke Innocentprosper
Its so slow.and its nit funny at all.comingin shd never be more than 6 to 9mins before the food stays on ones table.i think that they shd reinnovate their serving and other system.
OG
Ogueri Nwaosu
Its always wonderful to eat at Nkechi African cafe. It is a home meal far away from the mother land. The organization management is always amazing. Dr. Ogueri Nwaosu
JO
JOHN ORAFA
This is where U get the best of Nigerian food. U might want to call before U show up. They serve fresh and the soups are great. I was there for my Birthday.
ZA
Zacky Bagudu
Wow. This is good stuff right here. The customer service was awesome as well. They also gave me directions to my next stop here in town. Thank you guys.
BR
Brooke Robinson
I had a pleasant experience at Nkechis. The food is amazing!! Excellent customer service. The best food to eat while out. Thank you Nkechi!!!
AM
Amarachi Nlemigbo
The food took for ever to come. It didnt taste good at all. They got the order wrong. Bad customer service. Horrible experience.
IK
IKE AFUNUGO
The food is fantastic, the restaurant, very clean. Customer service is excellent. My favorite soup is Nsala. You should try it.
DI
Divine Marcel Okwara
This is the best Nigerian food I have had here in USA. I will come back and will recommend it to anyone. Great job!
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beverly roberts
I always love dining at Cafe Provence - a hidden jewel in Prairie Village. Very French but not intimidating at all.
PO
Porscha Jackson
Food is good but customer service could use an adjustment...I like the lunch special with either chicken or fish...
JO
John Asiegbu
Good place to go if you crave for a nice and delicious African food. Very clean and friendly customer service.
WA
wakesha rivers
The food is awesome and the service is great. If you like Nigeria food then this is the place to go.
UJ
Ujunwa Peace
Is a very nice place to go and have a great all kinds of African dishes. Yummiest place to eat.
KE
Kester Ezuma
You need to eat pounded yam with dried fish Nsala Soup. Its a place for your Igbo delicacies!
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gloria nduka
AWSOME TASE OF AFRICAN FOOD...GREATTTT SERVICE.... LUV THE ENVIRONMENT.. CLEAN BATHROOM...
EM
Emeka Okonkwo
This place is as authentic as Nigerian good can be and the customer service is impeccable
MI
Miss Queena
Real friendly service! Ordered the suya meat kabobs and cant wait to try more.
MA
MaryAnn Okoye
Awesome customer service and more variety in Nigerian recipes. Ill be back!
ME
Meshell Mybell
Pretty Good food I was unsure about some food she allowed me to sample and
SI
Sir Fred Chukwuelobe PSC Limited
Good customer service. Good food. Pleasant ladies. Better than Veronicas.
OK
okey okey
food is so good the riceand plantains so yummy customers service is great
