How To Cook A Pot of Egusi Soup with 5k – Sapa Edition

You’ve pictured how huge the kpomo will be, the jumbo-size beef, or the sweet aroma of your deep-fried chicken, fighting to escape the vegetable you’re about to add to the soup.

But then, you just checked your account balance and realized you only have 5k to spare. Sadly, you can’t eat vivid imaginations.

If you have the basic ingredients at home then there’s hope. But if you don’t have anything at all, prepare to go to the market like a Nigerian student during exam week.

From our Sapa’s survival handbook, here’s how to cook that pot of Egusi soup with 5k Naira.

Use Firewood

If you don’t have anything at all (including gas or stove) then there’s a problem oo. But, don’t worry you can always use the free gift of nature. Just check around for dried wood and tree branches, and pray it didn’t rain the night before.

If it rained, there’s still a little hope. You can borrow gas or a stove from your friend or neighbor, but make sure you don’t put beans on fire while prepping the Egusi.

ALSO READ: 10 Comfort Foods Nigerians Love The Most

Buy From Your Market Customers

You see those shops that already know you, that one that’s already calling you “my In-law” or the other one that calls you “fine customer.”

Buy from them and make sure you crack some jokes to lighten the already good mood. Don’t forget to constantly remind them to do you well today because you have a visitor coming.

Prepare your Mind

Welcome back to Nigeria in 2025 and put your vivid imaginations aside.

Prepare your mind that you might be switching fish for crayfish and your kpomo may not be as jumbo as you’ve pictured it.

Taste begins from the mind.

Ingredient and Recipes

Become a Minister of Finance Management and set a budget-friendly list that 5k can handle. Remember you may have all the basic ingredients already but if you don’t then I’ve got you.

Here’s a list you can take to the market.

Egusi (Melon): N1000 – for 2 cups of ground melon.

Pour a little water into the ground melon and mix until it becomes a thick paste.

Palm Oil: N500 for a cup of Palm Oil

Pour the palm oil into your pot. Next, put the egusi paste gradually in small amounts and fry. Cook on low heat to prevent burning.

Panla Fish & Kpomo: N1000 – for panla fish & N500 for kpomo.

Start by washing and boiling your kpomo for 5 minutes, then add your smoked panla fish. Add 2 seasoning cubes and leave to cook for 5 minutes.

Here: Pour your kpomo & fish into the fried egusi paste and stir gently.
Water: Add a little amount of water.
Salt & Seasoning: N200 for salt and N200 for Maggi (keep the rest. It’s good to have the basic ingredients at home.)

Add salt and seasoning to taste (depending on how seasoned you want it). Leave to simmer for 5 minutes.

Crayfish & Pepper: N300 – for Crayfish & N300 for Pepper

Add ground crayfish and ground pepper to the soup. Then stir to mix.

Pumpkin Leaves (Ugu): N300 – For vegetable

Wash the leaves thoroughly 2-3 times with clean water, then cut them into your preferred size. Strain then add your pumpkin (Ugu) leaves to the soup.

Here: Cover your pot and leave to cook for 5 minutes then turn off the heat and bring your pot of soup down.
Total Spent = N4,300

Voila! Your sumptuous Egusi soup is ready. Just prepare your tastebuds for the taste you’ve had in your vivid imagination. And use your remaining N700 for any swallow of choice (to be fair, that can only get you some wraps of fufu or 2 cups of Garri to make eba). Please don’t forget to buy water, or locate the nearest tap.

ALSO READ: How to Make N2,000 Last The Whole Week

Congratulations! You’ve just treated yourself to a hot pot of Egusi soup with your last 5k, because no sapa fashioned against you shall prosper. Don’t worry we’ll also be here for you when that your urgent N2,000 enters your account.

Join us in the Food and Drinks community to explore food, drinks, cooking tips, and Nigerian recipes from food lovers like you.

Join Here!

Romaine Israel

Romaine Israel isn't just another guy. He's the guy who takes your questions to the kitchen, slices and dices them (as in research), and prepares content that's not only appealing to the eyes but also satisfying to search engine and the readers' intent... a chef's kiss!