A Nigerian man living in the United States was billed $140 for two plates of Egusi soup with pounded yam, highlighting growing concerns over the soaring cost of African food abroad.
The incident, captured in a video shared on X by Oyindamola on Tuesday, has drawn attention to the steep prices charged by some African restaurants to diaspora customers.
In the video, the man, expressing his anger, lamented that African food sellers deliberately inflate prices, especially when selling to fellow Nigerians.
“Tell me why I have to pay $40 excluding tax and tips for a plate of Egusi and small pounded yams that can’t even fill me up? Other people sell theirs for less than $15, and you are charging $40,” he complained.
The man explained that during his visit to an African restaurant yesterday, he was billed $140 for two plates of Egusi and pounded yams. When he demanded a breakdown, he was told the actual price per plate was $40, with additional charges for tax and tips.
“I went to buy food yesterday. Two plates of Egusi and pounded yams. You are charging me a hundred and something. I ask you why. You say it’s plus tax and tips. How much is the food itself? You say it’s $40. $40 for a plate of food, not gold.”
The man further criticised restaurants charging above $20 per plate, arguing that location or ambience alone should not justify such inflated prices.
With the US minimum wage hovering under $15 per hour, he noted that purchasing two plates a day could easily exceed $100, creating a nearly impossible situation for many Nigerians wanting to maintain their culinary traditions while living abroad.
The issue has sparked wide discussions on social media, with users pointing out the stark disparity in pricing compared with other ethnic cuisines.
Sir Chucho (@ChuchoMaine) highlighted the problem, tweeting: “Nigerian restaurants abroad will use greed and overcharging to run down their businesses. They need to learn from the Chinese and Spanish ones. Nigerian restaurants will sell a plate of rice and 2 meat for $20. Chinese and Spanish restaurants will do for $10.”
Other diaspora Nigerians are adapting by finding alternatives. Coded_bruh (@codedbruhh) advised, “If you live abroad, buy ingredients at farmer’s markets or Asian markets… If you chop outside for Nigerian restaurants, dem go empty your wallet. Me pay $50 or £40 for ordinary jollof rice? Tahh!”
Meanwhile, @samoalfred shared: “I have since stopped patronising those shylock food sellers. It is much cheaper to buy raw foodstuffs directly from Nigeria and prepare a variety of Nigerian meals at home. They can keep their food. Lol.”
The problem is not limited to the US. In the UK, in a YouTube video, Nigerian Melissa Oti disclosed spending £502 (about 1 million naira) on African groceries in June 2025, illustrating how imported ingredients and limited supply drive up costs.
Similarly, Ife Nkili on Threads, highlighted the discrepancy with other ethnic cuisines, noting: “A plate of Chinese food costs £18.50, Indian food £19, but Nigerian food goes as high as £35. This price gap makes it difficult for Nigerians abroad to enjoy traditional meals regularly.”
The soaring prices underscore a broader challenge for Nigerians living overseas: maintaining cultural connections through food has become increasingly expensive.
While diaspora communities seek to celebrate their heritage, the inflated cost of traditional dishes forces many to reconsider how they access and enjoy their native cuisine.
As discussions continue online, it is clear that both restaurant owners and consumers face a growing need for balance, fair pricing for traditional food and sustainable ways for Nigerians abroad to keep their culinary traditions alive.
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