“I’m glad to see what I have accomplished” he remarked. Within eight months of reconstructing an abandoned law firm to what it is today, he had his grand opening. “I wasn’t impressed with other Nigerian restaurants, so I decided to have my own,” Mashood stated. After working arduously, he moved to New York. He knew he wanted to work in the culinary field because he was always told how good of a cook he was. Although he is originally from Kwara State, Nigeria, he lived in Lagos all his life. Where else can you sit in an imported Nigerian “kabu” taxi and eat a delicious meal, or watch the DJ spin Afrobeats and the latest African tunes out of the shorn-off back of the van?īefore coming to America in 1996, Mashood was an ice cream merchant in Lagos, Nigeria. Mashood smiles, “Buka is mostly busy during the weekends!” There is always fun to be had. Especially when there are soccer games, Buka is packed with enthusiastic soccer fans. In the summer, Buka often has a DJ and karaoke nights. Some of the artists even hang their works that are for sale.
Hungry yet? How about a feast for your eyes?īuka frequently hosts African fashion, art and music shows. The main dishes include eba and ogbono soup, pounded yam and egusi or amala and okra stew. My family favorites when we dine there include akara, fried crispy bean cakes served with spicy tomato dipping sauce of course there is the forever popular suya, thinly sliced grilled beef in Nigerian spices grilled tiger shrimp with suya spice and moi moi, cooked their way with ground steamed honey bean cake with hard-boiled egg and flaked fish. The food ranges from jollof rice to snails (igbin) and fufu. Most of the food that is on the menu is spicy and heavily seasoned.
It’s like going to the family homestead to grab a plate or two. Buka is a Hausa word which literally means “side of the road” or even “hole in the wall.” Buka is like one of those widely kept secrets, and those who know of it hold on to this jewel with pride. I also want to introduce other people to our rich traditional menu.”Ī visit to Buka is indeed a journey to the continent. I am a proud Nigerian, and I want other Nigerians to have a taste of home. “I believe in the notion of having an authentic Nigerian restaurant. With the title on the awning “An Authentic Nigerian Restaurant,” Buka is located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, close to the block where rapper Biggie Smalls grew up, and has been thriving for more than seven years. “But it takes dedication for your dreams to thrive.” Mashood is the owner of one of the eminent Nigerian restaurants in New York City. “Anyone can dream of having their own business,” said Lookman Mashood.
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