Amala 360 an eatery recently launched operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with lots of yummy and delightful continental dishes which will be made available to residents and its environs. ADEOLA TUKURU reports.
It was excitement galore for residents in the city centre and its environs as Amala 36o was recently debuted at (Banex) Wuse 2 in Abuja.
Blueprint’s Business Starter observed that well wishers and customers were seen trooping in and out of the well decorated Red and Yellow eatery.
Amala joints are turning out to be lucrative businesses in the city just as the craving for the tasty dish has broken cultural and ethnic barriers.
Residents from the western part of Nigeria or those that once lived in the region have a deep love for amala.
Amala is a popular Yoruba delicacy which is made with yam flour, yam chips and looks black when prepared.
Another variant of amala is made from cassava flour and is white in colour most restaurants in the capital city now have this delicacy on their menu.
While some people love amala because it is light and easy to swallow , others are fascinated with the meal because of the soups with which it is served, gbegiri and ewedu with all assorted of meats, ponmo and fish as the delicacy is usually served hot.
Inspiration of Amala 360
In a chat with the CEO of Amala 360, Henry Sebagen Noboh who said he was inspired because one can hardly get amala on major restaurants’ menu and they decided to make their own eatery different.
He said amala is now a national delicacy with people of other cultures who can now easily see the delicacy in their menu.
He also that amala is usually known to be a delicacy strictly sold in a local joint but they want to re-define location and make it look world class.
“Amala is not known or seen with anything that is luxury of posh and one don’t see it on menu of eateries within the city centre” he said.
On the class of people patronising amala 360
According to him, “ We decide to move amala 360 to an eatery where you have a well defined environment, where quality control are enforced so that we can have people of different classes and aged group patronizing us .
“We want to define amala because it is becoming a national delicacy and no longer a Yoruba meal.
“People from different culture now take it. So we moved amala to a decent and posh level that’s why we have amala 360.”
Engaging the youths
Inoboh said they already have scores of youths been employed at the eatery as they plan to take them out of unemployment and because of the way amala is being served.
“Some prepare the meal, some will serve and take orders and many more and we hope to employ more youths as the eatery expands to other branches.
While sampling opinions of residents on amala delicacy , James Obasa , a taxi driver says he enjoys the delicacy and he doesn’t mind eating three times a day , though he has only tried it a couple of times as he takes dinner at home with his family.
He said though he is not from the Western part of the country but he enjoys eating amala because it is light and very easy to digest especially with gbegiri and ewedu .
Another resident who pleaded anonymity and claimed to have visited most of the joints within the city centre including Amala 36o said the meal is very delicious especially abula . A combination of amala, gbegiri and ewedu with assorted meats.
On how gbegiri is made
The beans is soaked , peeled , washed and cooked . Afterwards it is mashed and the shaft is removed . Seasoning and condiments will be added and gbegiri is ready for consumption .
The ewedu is easier to prepare , just cook the leaves and blend it with locust beans and then you add your oily stew to it to give it a Yoruba touch .
Another customer at Amala 360, Grace Yehma, said several people from different culture loves the meal because it is easier to swallow and it is light.
“Unlike pounded yam that you eat and feel weak especially when you have to work in the afternoon , it makes you feel weaker and sleepy but with amala you are ready to continue with work because it is light.
She attested that the amala at the Amala 360 is very tasty and the meat is well prepared and very soft to eat.
Another customer ,James Odia said like other meals that even after spending N500 you won’t feel much in your stomach but the Amala there is different and very okay .
The Manager of Amala 360, Adeola David Amosun said that the name of the place speaks for itself.
She said aside amala, they sell all African meals such as Oha soup, Edikaikong soup, Afang soup and others adding that their major flagship products is amala as the products itself sells itself .
“We also have cat fish , beef , chevon (goat meat), ponmo stew to go with it and our meal is relatively cheap,” she said.
On their programmes ahead Sallah celebrations
She said they are working on the Sallah program that will attract more of their customers urging others people to give them a trial because amala 36o is the best home made cooking that they have ever tasted .
