07/11/2025
"Corn porridge" also known as "Udugba oka" in Igbo language is a rare Nigerian dish made from ground corn mixed with vegetables and other ingredients.
What it is:
A corn-based dish: The name "oka" or "Udugba oka" directly translates to "corn" in some Nigerian languages, and the dish is made using corn 🌽🌽 as the primary ingredient.
A traditional delicacy: It is a popular traditional food in parts of Eastern Nigeria, particularly associated with the Ezeagu regions.
Common ingredients:
Fresh or dried corn🌽 🌽 (grounded)
Leafy vegetables like pumpkin leaves (ugu) or scent leaf.
Palm oil, onions, and pepper, okpei(locust bean)
Seasoning cubes and salt
Other additions like crayfish, dried fish, fresh or smoked fish, beef, assorted meat, or any other protein of your choice.
Method of preparation:
1. Buy dried corn from the market and fry it a little before grinding or after grinding you fry for 5 mins(stirring continuously to avoid burning)
*NB*: Make sure the corn isn't grinded smoothly (should have a little teeth you can chew)
For fresh corn, grind but not too smooth.
2. In a clean pot, cook the proteins until done adding sliced onions, salt, and seasoning cubes to taste.
3. After cooking remove only the protein from the pot leaving the water then add more water in the pot and add your blended pepper, crayfish, okpei, sliced onions and seasoning cubes to taste and add your palm oil and stir.
4. Stir with a wooden spatula.
5. Cover to boil then add your measured grinded corn and stir continuously to avoid it forming lumps. Cover to boil and ensure to stir continuously to avoid burning.
6. Continue stirring until the corn is done(by tasting the corn to know if it's soft)
7. Add your proteins and stir.
8. Add water if need be(it's supposed to be not too solid and not too liquid) as seen in the picture below..
9.. Then add your sliced scent leaf/ugu leaf and allow to done.
10. Cook to taste then bring it down and enjoy your meal.