A Nigerian man residing in the United States has gone viral after a video clip showed him expressing outrage at a bill totaling $140 for just two plates of egusi soup and pounded yam at an African restaurant. The incident, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter), has triggered a widespread debate about the high cost of traditional African meals in the diaspora.
In the video, the visibly upset man accused African restaurant owners of exploiting fellow Nigerians with what he called “inflated prices.” He lamented, “Tell me why I have to pay $40 excluding tax and tips for a plate of Egusi and small pounded yams that can’t even fill me up? Other people sell theirs for less than $15, and you are charging $40.” He explained that the final bill for two plates, including tax and tips, came to $140.
The man argued that such pricing, when the U.S. minimum wage is under $15 per hour, makes it nearly impossible for Nigerians abroad to enjoy their cultural meals on a regular basis.
The debate has seen strong reactions from both sides. Some Nigerians accused restaurant owners of “shylock behavior,” while others defended them, citing the high cost of imported ingredients and general operating expenses abroad.
Social media users also weighed in on the issue. One user, @ChuchoMaine, tweeted, “Nigerian restaurants abroad will use greed and overcharging to run down their businesses. They need to learn from the Chinese and Spanish ones. Nigerian restaurants will sell a plate of rice and 2 meat for $20. Chinese and Spanish restaurants will do for $10.”
Another user, @codedbruhh, advised Nigerians to cook at home to save money. “If you live abroad, buy ingredients at farmer’s markets or Asian markets… If you chop outside for Nigerian restaurants, dem go empty your wallet. Me pay $50 or £40 for ordinary jollof rice? Tahh!”
The high cost of maintaining a traditional diet is not exclusive to the U.S. In a YouTube video, Nigerian content creator Melissa Oti shared that she spent over £500 (about ₦1 million) on African groceries in the UK in June 2025. Other comparisons were also made to different cuisines, with Ife Nkili noting, “A plate of Chinese food costs £18.50, Indian food £19, but Nigerian food goes as high as £35.”
Source: Punch