ACE Money Transfer - Blog

Send money to Nigeria online through ACE Money Transfer

Finding Nigerian Local Foods in Romania

28 Oct 2024


Keeping in touch with your country needs more than making a money transfer to Nigeria from Romania. Food is one of the best ways to stay connected to your roots. For Nigerians, Nigerian food does not just offer taste; it provides the comfort of home. If you live in Romania, finding the ingredients to make your lovely recipes might be complicated.
 

However, with the right help, you can find the ingredients in Romania. This blog will help you find some local African grocery stores in major Romanian cities and online sites, so continue reading.

Where can you Find Nigerian Ingredients in Romania?

Finding the ingredients to make traditional meals might be difficult in Romania, but it is not impossible. The African community has increased in Romania, and the demand for African ingredients has grown. Thus, several markets and grocery stores serving African communities have emerged.

African Grocery Stores in Major Romanian Cities

African grocery stores are in important Romanian cities, such as Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, and Bucharest. These stores provide a wide range of products to make Nigerian cuisine. The country's capital, Bucharest, has the most African shops with ingredients like yams, dried fish, fufu, and palm oil.
 

"Afronelly's" and "African Tropical Shop" are two famous African grocery stores in Romania. These shops mainly import goods from West Africa, guaranteeing the ingredients' authenticity and freshness.
 

While you enjoy the comfort of Nigerian cuisine, you can feel more connected to your country by making an online money transfer from Romania to Nigeria

Online Stores Having Nigerian Ingredients

Online shopping has been useful for people all over the globe. In Romania, if Nigerians do not have any close African grocery store then they can shop from online African grocery shops. You can find Nigerian products on online websites like “africanshopromania.com,” "niyis.co.uk" and "africandelightstore.com". 

Global Supermarkets Stocking Foods from Africa

African grocery and online stores are not the only places in Romania where you can find Nigerian food. Huge multinational supermarket chains have food items from Africa. In Romania, supermarkets such as Carrefour and Mega Image have a small department for foreign goods, which also includes African products.
 

In these supermarkets, you can find couscous, coconut milk, and other spices used in Nigerian cooking. Some essential items like rice, beans, and hot peppers are easily accessible in most international marketplaces.

Nigerian Dishes You Can Prepare in Romania

As a Nigerian expat, you do not have to give up your favorite traditional foods just because they live in Romania. Many common Nigerian dishes can be easily made with products available locally or online.
 

As you find ways to adapt to your cooking in Romania, you can keep on connecting to your roots in Nigeria. You can do so by using ACE Money Transfer to make Romania to Nigeria money transfer

Some Ingredients for Well-Known Nigerian Dishes

While many Nigerian recipes have some specific ingredients, many basic items can be easily purchased in Romanian shops or can be replaced with regional substitutes. 

 

  • You can use Romanian potatoes as a substitute in some recipes. They can be used in recipes like Pounded Yam, even if you can not find fresh Nigerian yams. 
  • You can easily cook Jallof Rice because of the widespread availability of important ingredients, including rice, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers in Romania.
  • Similarly, big supermarkets and international supermarkets may carry plantains, a staple of many Nigerian diets. 
  • You can also make other well-known delicacies like Egusi Soup with a little work. Although Egusi (melon seeds) can be hard to find, you can use pumpkin or spinach seeds. 

Specialty Nigerian Ingredients and Their Availability

You can replace most Nigerian dishes with Romanian ingredients. However, some delicacies that are made from ingredients like garri, ogbono seeds, crayfish, and suya spices can not be made. You can find these unique ingredients in African grocery stores and online stores having Nigerian ingredients in Romania. 

Finding Nigerian Restaurants in Romania

Nigerian restaurants are relatively small, but they provide a distinct and tasty sense of West Africa. Finding these restaurants can take some exploring, but the journey is worth it.

Some Famous Nigerian Restaurants 

The capital of Romania, Bucharest, has a few African food restaurants. These places provide Nigerian specialties like jollof rice, fried plantains, and pepper soup. Some of the restaurants are: 

  • Tribes by Nelz Pan-African Restaurant
  • Afronelly’s
  • Sena’s African Cuisine
  • Amoom Unirii

What are some of the Things You Should Expect on the Menu?

When visiting an African restaurant in Romania, you can expect some rich Nigerian legacies. One of Nigeria's most famous meals, Jollof rice, is usually on the menu. Other foods include Egusi Soup which is served with Mashed Yam or Eba (Cassava dough). Some snacks include Suya (spicy grilled pork) and Puff-Puff (fried dough balls). 

Connecting to Nigerian Culture Abroad Through ACE Money Transfer

Living abroad often leaves you with a feeling of homesickness, and it is the same for many Nigerian expats in Romania. They can have some source of comfort and identity by eating Nigerian food, but food is not the only thing that keeps this cultural tie alive.
 

If you are a Nigerian expat who wants to stay close to your country and support your family back home, ACE Money Transfer is there for you. You can use ACE Money transfer to send money to Nigeria from Romania. We offer quick and safe money transfer service and make sure your support reaches your loved ones. This makes life overseas more meaningful and connected.

FAQs

What are some difficulties in finding Nigerian food abroad?

Nigerian expats usually find it challenging to make their traditional food because of the unavailability of ingredients. Many Nigerian recipes have certain spices and veggies that are difficult to find in Romanian markets. Some ingredients like stockfish, crayfish, ugu, and bitter leaf are not always found in supermarkets outside West Africa. Even if you manage to find these ingredients, they are usually more costly and lack freshness.

What are some tips for Nigerian foodies traveling to Romania?

If you love cooking then cooking traditional foods can bring back fond memories. However, you can have some difficulties. Join expat groups as it is one of the best ways to learn about your culture in Romania. Also, follow groups for Nigerians on social media sites like Facebook.

What are some things you should expect when dining at a Nigerian restaurant?  

If you are not a native, then you should know some things before going to a Nigerian restaurant. Nigerian food is famous for its bold spices, hearty portions, and a variety of textures. The dining experience is warm and communal, with many dishes made for sharing.

Are there any Nigerian snacks available in Romania?

Yes. You can find some African grocery stores in Romania which have common Nigerian snacks like chin chin, plantain chips, and groundnuts (peanuts). You can also find some online stores which import food from Africa.

Which Romanian foods are most similar to those in Nigeria?

A few Romanian foods share similarities with Nigerian cuisine. Romanian soups, such as ciorbă, resemble classic Nigerian pepper soups when appropriately seasoned. Also, Romanian sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) resembles Nigerian moi moi.

How can you get fresh Nigerian produce in Romania?

Finding fresh Nigerian produce is difficult in Romania, but you can look into some international farmers' markets or larger supermarket stores that provide unique fruits and vegetables.


Life & Culture

PREVNEXT
Weekend Entertainment Options in Romania for Nepalese Expats
Red Envelope Tradition: Sending Money for Chinese Lunar New Year 2025
  • Categories
  • Country