Asanka Local Introduce
For diners in Newark, New Jersey, seeking a truly authentic and flavorful culinary experience, Asanka Local stands out as the premier destination. Located on Lyons Avenue, this restaurant specializes in West African cuisine, bringing the rich, aromatic, and comforting flavors of the region—particularly Ghanaian food—right to the local community. It is more than just a restaurant; it is a cultural gateway, beloved by those who grew up on the cuisine and an exciting discovery for newcomers.
The mission of Asanka Local is to offer an authentic taste of home, serving expertly prepared dishes that are known for their deep, savory flavors, generous portions, and high-quality ingredients. The menu is a vibrant showcase of West African staples, including various soups, rice dishes, and stews. Patrons consistently praise the food for being "amazing, flavorful and well prepared," with a notable commitment to freshness and authenticity. Reviewers highlight the warm hospitality, often describing the service as "10 Stars! Friendly and welcoming," which contributes to the overall delightful dining experience.
Whether you are a local who grew up enjoying Ghanaian cuisine and are looking for a taste of tradition, or a curious foodie eager to explore new flavors, Asanka Local promises a memorable meal. The restaurant successfully combines the essence of traditional home-cooked African food with a modern, friendly atmosphere, making it a valuable and cherished part of the New Jersey dining landscape.
## Location and Accessibility
Asanka Local is conveniently situated in Newark at 339-341 Lyons Ave, Newark, NJ 07112, USA. The location is easy to find on a major street, making it accessible for diners traveling from various parts of Newark and the wider New Jersey area. Its position on Lyons Avenue helps cement its status as a neighborhood anchor for high-quality ethnic dining.
Accessibility is a key priority at this establishment. For patrons arriving by car, the restaurant provides both a free parking lot and free street parking, eliminating the typical urban hassle of finding a spot. Inside, the restaurant is prepared to accommodate all guests, featuring a wheelchair accessible restroom and generally accessible amenities. This commitment to convenience and comfort ensures that all members of the community can enjoy the unique culinary offerings without concern.
## Services Offered
Asanka Local offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to accommodate all dining preferences, from a quick meal to a large celebration. Their options ensure maximum convenience for their New Jersey customer base:
- Dine-in: Enjoy the Casual, Cozy, and Trendy atmosphere, complete with Table service. The dining area is designed for an enjoyable, relaxed experience.
- Takeout: Fast and efficient service for picking up your delicious West African meal to enjoy at home.
- Delivery & No-contact delivery: Meals can be delivered right to your door with a choice of standard or contactless options.
- Reservations Required / Accepts Reservations: Note that reservations are required for table service, indicating a popular spot with high demand, and ensuring patrons have a guaranteed seat for their meal.
- Catering: Offering generous Family Tray Special options, such as the Full and Half Trays of Jollof Rice or Waakye, perfect for events, parties, and large family gatherings.
- Payment Flexibility: They accept various payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
- Dining Times: Services are available for both Lunch and Dinner to satisfy your cravings throughout the day.
## Features / Highlights
The menu at Asanka Local is a celebration of West African culinary tradition, featuring a wealth of flavorful and authentic dishes. The key highlights that define the Asanka Local dining experience include:
- Authentic West African Soups: A cornerstone of the menu, with rich and savory options like Goat Meat Light Soup, Fresh Fish Light Soup, Peanut Butter Soup, Palm Nut Soup, and Egusi Soup. These are often served with traditional accompaniments (available upon request) for a truly authentic experience.
- Signature Rice Dishes: The restaurant is famous for its perfectly prepared rice staples, particularly Jollof Rice and Waachi (rice and beans), which can be customized with a choice of protein. The Jollof Rice is a must-try, repeatedly praised in customer reviews.
- Unique Specialty Items: Offering distinct dishes such as Baked Tilapia Specialty with spicy sauce, Asanka Chicken Wings Specialty, and house-made Asanka Ginger Juice.
- Vegetarian and Healthy Options: Catering to various dietary needs, the menu includes flavorful plant-based choices like Spinach and Red Red (Black Eye Peas Sauce), ensuring there are healthy and vegetarian options for everyone.
- Comfort Food with a Cozy Vibe: The restaurant provides comforting, hearty food in an atmosphere that is described as Casual, Cozy, and Trendy, attracting a diverse crowd of Groups, Locals, and Tourists.
- Exceptional Customer Service: Patrons frequently mention the warm, friendly, and welcoming staff, notably Michael and his sister, whose commitment to hospitality significantly enhances the overall experience.
- Serves Local Specialty: The mention of serving a local specialty confirms its dedication to authentic regional recipes, particularly Ghanaian cuisine, a draw for those seeking specific cultural dishes.
## Contact Information
To make a reservation (recommended or required), place a takeout order, or inquire about catering for your next New Jersey event, please use the following contact details:
Address: 339-341 Lyons Ave, Newark, NJ 07112, USA
Phone: (973) 873-3993
Mobile Phone: +1 973-873-3993
## What is Worth Choosing
Asanka Local is definitively worth choosing for New Jersey residents who value authenticity, flavor, and a genuinely warm dining environment. It fills a vital niche in the Newark food scene by offering expertly prepared West African cuisine, often referred to specifically as Ghanaian food, that satisfies long-time enthusiasts and impresses first-time diners.
The culinary highlight is the depth of flavor in every dish—from the "perfectly fried" fish and the flavorful Jollof Rice to the savory soups. This high quality is matched by exceptional value, as many find the portions generous for the price. Furthermore, the commitment to providing a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and the personal, friendly service from the staff creates a truly special experience. For those looking for a restaurant that is Good for kids, offers healthy options, and requires reservations (a sign of its popularity), Asanka Local on Lyons Avenue is a must-try. Whether you're craving the comfort of Peanut Butter Soup or the signature taste of Baked Tilapia, you are guaranteed a memorable and authentic meal.
Asanka Local Menu
Starters & Appetizers
- A2. Spring Rolls $1.99
Served with black pepper sauce.
- A7. Puff Puff $3.00
Bofrat.
- A11. Hausa Koko $6.99
Soups
- B1. Goat Meat Light Soup $19.99
- B-2 Fresh Fish Light Soup $19.99
Seasonal fish.
- B4. Peanut Butter Soup $19.99
Served with mixed meat.
- B5. Palm Nut Soup $19.99
Served with mixed meat.
- B6. Okra Soup $19.99
Goat or fish.
- B8. Egusi Soup $19.99
Served with mixed meat or smoked fish.
- I3. Okra Or Peanut Soup $19.99
African Sauces & Stews
- F1. Palavar Sauce $16.99
Spinach stew. Served with fish, beef or chicken. With a choice of plantain or white rice.
- F2. Ghana Beans Stew $16.99
Red. Served with fish, beef or chicken.
- F3. Chicken In Gravy $15.99
Flavorful sauce made with grilled or fried chicken served With a choice of plantain or white rice.
- F4. Fante-Fante $15.99
Fish in palm oil. Served with choice of white rice, fried ripe plantain, boiled green plantain, eba or pounded yam.
- F5. Pona Yam $19.99
Served with all sauces or stew (Egusi made with spinach and a choice of protein)
Rice
- G1. Waachi $19.99
Rice and beans.
- G1. Waachi $19.99
Rice and beans. Served with either fish, goat, boiled egg, and black sauce.
- G2. Jollof Rice $17.99
Served with coleslaw, with choice of either fish, chicken or meat and kelewele.
- G4. White Rice $17.99
Served with corned beef stew with mixed vegetables.
Specialties
- H2. Baked Tilapia Specialty $19.99
Served with spicy sauce.
- H3. Asanka Chicken Wings Specialty $5.99
- H4. Asanka Ginger Juice $3.49
Daily Special
- Peanut Butter Soup Special $19.99
Served with omotuo (rice balls).
- Baked Tilapia Special $19.99
Served with spicy sauce and banku.
- Red Red Special $17.99
Served with fried ripe plantain. Served with choice of baked chicken, fried fish or beef.
- Fried Turkey Special $13.99
- Fried Twofe Special $8.99
Vegetarian Dishes
- I1. Spinach $12.99
Served with fried plantain or fufu
- I2. Red Red (Black Eye Peas Sauce) $14.99
Family Tray Special
- J1. Full Tray Of Jollof Rice $75.00
Served with kelewelewe and coleslaw.
- J2.Half Tray Of Jollof Rice $48.00
Served with kelewelewe and coleslaw.
- J3. Full Tray Waache $80.00
Served with kelewele and shito.
- J4. Half Tray Waache $60.00
Served with kelewele and shito.
- J5. Family Size Of Jollof $48.00
Served with choice of fish, goat or chicken.
- J6. Family Size Waakye $48.00
Served with choice of either fish, goat or chicken.
- J7. Full Tray Baked Chicken $80.00
- J8. Half Tray Baked Chicken $45.00
Asanka Local Details
Service options
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
Planning
- Reservations required
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Asanka Local Photos










Asanka Local Location
Asanka Local
339-341 Lyons Ave, Newark, NJ 07112, USA
Asanka Local Reviews
jollof ricefufupeanut soupwaakyeghanaianplantainsbankuegusi soupokra soupgoat meat
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Was in the area after work and decided to stop in and get some food. I’ve never had African food before and was excited to try some for the first time! I had the jollof rice with chicken and I can’t describe how amazing it was. Michael and his sister cooked an incredible dish for me with tons of flavor and a large portion. This is definitely a restaurant you’ll want to try out if you’re ever in the area! 5/5 across the board 😀
August 27 · Anthony GonzalezI had been looking to go and try this place for about a month now and finally decided to do so today. Having grown up on Ghanaian food, I wanted to find a place I could go and Aksana Local is it.First let me start with their customer service. 10 Stars! Friendly and welcoming which I absolutely love.I ordered jollof with fried croaker, plantain and peanut butter soup. Amazing, flavorful and well prepared. The fish was fried perfectly ( sometimes people I know tend to fry the fish toooo hard). The jollof was very good and the sauce to accompany it was extremely good. You could taste the ginger which I love.A must try for anyone looking for Ghanaian food.
September 06 · Tiffani BarnesMy son found egusi on tic tok and wanted to try. We ordered from one place it was ok. Then found this place and been a customer since. Food is great. Usually we order for delivery today I went in and service was welcoming. We ordered beef and 1 chicken egusi with fufu. Food fresh, tasty, filling.
March 28 · Elena RichardsGreat service and authentic cuisine. Michael (owner or manager) kept me updated on the order and communicated effectively. The food was delicious and freshly made. It also did not take too long to come. The peanut soup was tasting with a good portion size. The chofi (turkey tail) was crispy, non greasy, and seasoned well. I will definitely return again.
October 07 · Alexis AIt literally feels like a mom from Ghana has invited you over for dinner. Food is delicious! Egusi soup and fufu, don’t forget to ask for the scotch bonnet. & make sure you take a bite before taking it home.
June 18 · Stacyann Bazile
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