African International Market

When asked to name a food-related spot on the corner of Hampden & Tower, one might immediately think of Pearl of Siam, or Royal Hilltop, or Taqueria Jalisco. But the Nigerian grocery known as African International Market is an equally worthy contender.Since I'm feeling a bit hungry at the moment, I'll begin by rhapsodizing about a few of the snacks you can find within the walls of AIM. If I really had to choose, I'd say that one of my favorite foods from Nigeria is Kilishi. Created by Hausa people in the country's north, this protein-y powerhouse consists of very thin slices of beef rubbed with a chile-peanut paste, then sun-dried. Very nearby, you can also avail yourself of some suitably smoky fish jerky. On the sweeter side, Chin-Chin is a variation of a snack found all over Africa under multiple names (a remarkably similar item is known in Ethiopia as Biskut). Specifically, it consists of nuggets of lightly-spiced-and-sugared wheat dough which are deep-fried to a luscious golden brown. But you have to have something to moisten all this with, and what's more fitting than Vitamalt? Yes, this Danish-in-origin (nonalcoholic) malt beverage is wildly popular in West Africa and available here in multiple flavors, including the "Plus" version with açai, aloe, and guaraná.But as tasty as these treats are, you'll find that AIM is also a convenient source for your Nigerian grocery needs. Have you ever tried Ukwa? These kernels of the African breadfruit tree are often cooked by the Igbo people (residing primarily in the country's southeast) into a super-nutritious porridge with palm oil, Ogiri (fermented locust beans), and just a dash of Akanwu (potash). In a similar vein, the market also sells the core components for several soups from Africa's most populous nation, including earthy Egusi (gourd seeds) and tangy Ogbono (bush mango kernels). In the mood to make either Akara or Fufu? AIM's shelves are lined with gargantuan sacks of (respectively) black-eyed pea and yam flours to enable you to do just that, so don't be shy - grab a couple! And of course, it seems like every West (and for that matter, Central) African market features an array of sweet, spicy, and savory plantain chips to choose from - and this one is certainly no exception. So go forth and see what else you can find here.

Wow! Such a friendly place. I purchased some of the most authentic African Black Soap found in the city and my skin feels AMAAZING!!!! Jasper helped me and he was so kind and heartwarming. I will be purchasing all of my future African products from here going forward!