A short while ago, I received a call from a friend of mine who had just moved to Newark with his family. He asked me to share details on the best African food markets that I am familiar with.
After sharing these details with him, I decided to build on our conversation and write an article that might help someone else who finds this information relevant.
5 AFRICAN FOOD MARKETS
Makola:
Makola is probably the longest-standing African food market available in Newark, and for good reason. Products are neatly displayed with price stickers stuck on them.
To order frozen fish and/or meats cut to customers’ choice sizes and bagged, customers head to the slab in the back of the store.
You might find a little line at the slab or even at the front when you are about to pay. The staff do their best to keep the lines moving, and an elderly gentleman is often there to help you bag your items if you need help.
My favorite items to buy at Makola are croaker fish and lightly smoked goat meat. These two products from their store absorb seasonings and flavors in ways that are better tasted than described. You will also find most products that standard African food markets should have here at the store on Lyon’s Avenue.
Ecowest:
This is my introduction to African food markets, the first store that I familiarized myself with in Newark, New Jersey. The first time I was there, the lady who sat behind the counter welcomed me with a smile and asked me to let her know if I needed any help. I didn’t. The products were nicely displayed and very easy to find. I grabbed a cart and looked around the store.
The delicious UK brands of cookies, biscuits*, and shortbread we grew up eating in Nigeria and, I suspect, most of Africa were strategically positioned on the slimmer shelves in front of the store.
Ecowest also offered spices, vegetables, cooking oils, and many dried, ground, fresh, and frozen ingredients for soups and vegetables. My absolute favorite item to buy from this store is their store brand palm oil. To date, this is my favorite brand of palm oil to cook with in the US.
I enjoyed my first shopping experience here. Needless to say, I shopped here often. Sadly, Ecowest has closed down the particular store on Clinton Avenue. I am not sure whether they have other locations.
Mile 12:
True to its name, Mile 12 African food market gives you the vibe of the original Mile 12 market in Lagos state, Nigeria. You will find customers actually haggling prices with the store owner and attendants, which seldom happens in American stores.
Some shoppers also seem to feel comfortable enough to settle in for economic, socio-economic, and political banter. If you’re lucky, you might experience some amateur comedic gold banter too.
In addition to possibly fairer than usual prices and interesting conversations, Mile 12 also offers just about every product you might need from African food markets. And, add dependability to the positives for this one as they are open every day of the week and on weekends. Yes, Mile 12 is open Monday-Sunday. A testament to the Nigerian hustling spirit.
While this business is on the Irvington side of Clinton Avenue, in this article, we are claiming it as one of Newark’s African food markets for its proximity.
Mrs Mercy’s:
This store/warehouse is located on Clinton Place, near Lyon’s Avenue. I don’t know the name of this business, but I know that the owner is extremely warm to her customers. Similar to the Mile 12 experience, she allows some negotiations.
It is my preferred place to purchase tubers of yam. I have had no complaints about products from this business except once. On one occasion, my son went to get us a box of yams from the store, and we found out that two of them were turning bad upon slicing them.
When he returned to the store with the bad yams, the attendant he met at the store just smiled as she teased him for bringing the bad yams as evidence, and gave him fresh tubers.
African businesses, even in the US, seldom make replacements or returns a seamless process for their customers, making this a commendable response.
Ikeja:
The home of freshly baked bread. Upon entering, you are guaranteed to be met with the owner’s welcoming smile and a greeting. It doesn’t end there. The staff also seem to just be happy that you are there, as they kindly offer you help with your shopping.
Ikeja is also located on Lyon’s Avenue.
Like most of the other stores on this list, they offer you just about every food item and/or snacks you might need from African food markets. I haven’t had a bad experience shopping at this store.
I smiled a lot while writing about these African food markets as I recalled memories from years of shopping at them. It has truly been a pleasure.
Here’s to hope that they continue to grow, offer good service, and continue to serve the community well🥂
With love, Phoenix.
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