Mamakulu African Cuisine Introduce
For residents across New Jersey seeking an authentic, satisfying, and culturally rich culinary experience, **Mamakulu African Cuisine** in Newark stands out as a true local gem. This establishment is proudly categorized as a premier **West African restaurant**, dedicating itself to serving the deep, complex, and heartwarming flavors that define the region's cooking, particularly those of Nigerian heritage. It has rapidly established itself as a highly recommended spot, celebrated for offering genuine, quality **comfort food** that consistently delights patrons with its taste and generous portions. Located conveniently for both Newark locals and those traveling from nearby New Jersey towns, Mamakulu provides a necessary and delicious taste of home-cooked West African cuisine.
Mamakulu African Cuisine offers a robust and comprehensive menu that is a true culinary journey through West Africa. Diners can explore a vast range of dishes, from perfectly cooked rice and savory stews to traditional 'swallow' starches and flavorful soups, all prepared with an authentic touch. Highlights include the highly sought-after **Jollof Rice with Plantain & Fried Egg** ($35.00), often praised by customers as "Smokey Jollof Rice" on delivery platforms, and essential 'swallow' starches like **Poundo Yam** ($25.00), which is meant to be rolled and swallowed with the accompaniment of a flavorful soup.
The soups and stews are a major draw, showcasing complex recipes like the popular **Egusi Soup** ($50.00)—a savory mix of melon seeds and vegetables—and the rich, hearty spinach-based stew, **Eforiro Soup** ($150.00), which is a Nigerian vegetable soup made with assorted meats, dried fish, and a peppery sauce. Also featured are the unique green pepper stew, **Ayamase/Ofada Stew** ($50.00), served with white rice, and traditional favorites like **Ewa Agonyin** ($50.00), a dish of mashed beans served with a special pepper sauce. Appetizers such as the flavorful **Assorted Pepper Soup** ($25.00) and **Moin Moin (Beans pudding)** ($5.00) round out the authentic experience.
Adding to its significance within the community, Mamakulu African Cuisine proudly **Identifies as Black-owned** and **Identifies as women-owned**. This dual designation showcases its commitment to local entrepreneurship and contributes positively to the diversity of the local business landscape in Newark. The restaurant fosters a **Casual** and welcoming **Atmosphere**, making it an excellent setting for various groups—whether you are grabbing a **Quick bite**, dining **Solo** for a peaceful meal, or gathering with **Groups** of family and friends. The overwhelming positive customer feedback regarding the food's quality, consistency, and generous portions consistently reinforces its reputation as a provider of great value and authentic dining in New Jersey.
Mamakulu African Cuisine is conveniently located in Newark, NJ, ensuring relatively easy access for patrons traveling from various parts of New Jersey, including those who may drive from surrounding areas like Clifton. The establishment is situated at **222 S 6th St #1, Newark, NJ 07103**. Its strategic positioning offers practical solutions for customer visits, whether you are planning to dine in or utilize their excellent pickup services.
Key accessibility features provided for the New Jersey clientele include:
- Parking Convenience: The restaurant addresses city parking challenges by offering the dual convenience of a dedicated **Free parking lot** as well as easily accessible **Free street parking** nearby.
- Personalized Pickup Experience: While one customer mentioned that the location is on a private property, the staff ensures a seamless, professional experience. The owner personally greeting customers for pickup, as noted in a review, highlights a commitment to excellent customer service and secure order handover, alleviating any initial hesitation about the location.
- In-House Amenities: A clean and readily available **Restroom** is provided for the comfort of all dine-in guests.
- Family Accessibility: The restaurant is explicitly noted as being **Good for kids**, creating a comfortable and family-friendly dining environment, making it a simple choice for local New Jersey families seeking authentic cuisine.
Mamakulu African Cuisine is dedicated to providing flexible and comprehensive service options to suit the fast-paced lifestyle of New Jersey residents, offering solutions for every dining preference, from dine-in meals to contactless carryout.
- Comprehensive Dining Times: The restaurant caters to the two main meal periods, being available for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**, fitting various daily schedules.
- Flexible Service Modes: Customers can enjoy a full-service **Dine-in** experience or utilize the highly convenient off-premise options, which include standard **Takeout**, **Delivery**, and specialty services like **Curbside pickup** and **No-contact delivery** to prioritize customer safety and efficiency.
- Diverse Menu Offerings: The menu extends beyond main courses, featuring options perfect for a **Quick bite** or as **Small plates** (such as **Moin Moin** and **Akara**), alongside the generous portions of authentic **Comfort food** they are known for.
- Crowd Appeal: The casual dining setup is highly **Popular for** various groups, accommodating **Solo dining**, larger **Groups** celebrating special occasions, and even appealing to **Tourists** seeking an authentic culinary experience in Newark.
The distinct qualities of Mamakulu African Cuisine make it a premier destination for West African food in the New Jersey area, promising a truly memorable and satisfying experience that keeps patrons coming back repeatedly.
- Unwavering Authenticity and Consistency: The food quality is consistently rated as exceptional. A frequent customer's testimony that the food "never disappoints" and that the "quality and taste are always consistent" speaks directly to the kitchen's dedication to authentic West African cuisine.
- Committed Ownership and Community Value: The restaurant's distinction as a certified **Black-owned** and **women-owned** business is a major feature, offering New Jersey consumers a chance to support important local entrepreneurship and contribute to community diversity.
- Excellence in Meats and Proteins: Specific dishes and ingredients receive top marks, with one reviewer rating the flavor, texture, and spiciness of the **cow skin and fish** as a "top-notch 10/10," highlighting the restaurant’s expertise in preparing savory, traditional proteins.
- Generous Portions and Value: Mamakulu is renowned for providing substantial meals. Patrons consistently mention the "generous portions," with one customer reporting a single meal was filling enough to last two days, providing exceptional value for the price point.
- Friendly and Professional Staff: The dining experience is significantly enhanced by the staff, who are celebrated for being "super friendly" and "incredibly polite," ensuring a welcoming interaction for every customer, whether they are dining in or picking up their order.
For Newark and greater New Jersey patrons who wish to place a takeout order, inquire about the menu, or check on the availability of daily specials, Mamakulu African Cuisine can be reached using the following contact details:
- Address: 222 S 6th St #1, Newark, NJ 07103
- Phone: (862) 236-8872
- Mobile Phone: +1 862-236-8872
Mamakulu African Cuisine is an outstanding choice for New Jersey diners for a powerful combination of culinary excellence, exceptional value, and community significance. Its core strength lies in its commitment to delivering authentic, high-quality West African cuisine that satisfies deep, genuine cravings. The dedication to rich, complex flavor is evident across the entire menu, from the staple **Smokey Jollof Rice** to the highly-rated soups and savory proteins. The fact that one reviewer drove 30 minutes from Clifton to Newark specifically to satisfy a craving for the fufu and Egusi soup demonstrates the compelling, genuine nature of this restaurant’s authentic taste and how it serves as a culinary destination for the wider North Jersey region.
Beyond the food, the business model itself is a highlight. Choosing Mamakulu means actively supporting a local, **Black-owned** and **women-owned** venture, which aligns with supporting the diversity and growth of Newark's local economy. The generous portion sizes are an undeniable draw, ensuring that customers feel they receive exceptional value for their money, a detail frequently highlighted in reviews. Furthermore, the accommodating services, including a clean, casual atmosphere, easy parking solutions, and highly convenient **Curbside pickup** and **Delivery** options, make the logistics of enjoying this fantastic food completely effortless. Mamakulu African Cuisine is more than just a place to eat; it is an authentic cultural hub providing warm service and truly satisfying, home-style West African **Comfort food** to the New Jersey community. For a genuinely authentic taste of West Africa right here in Newark, look no further than this local treasure.
Mamakulu African Cuisine Food & drink
Rice and Stew
- White Rice with pepper Stew $35.00
Rice + stew: with fish and Meat
Poundo Yam (Swallow )
- Poundo Yam with pepper stew, vegetable $25.00
Poundo Yam, with pepper stew, vegetable soup. Protein: Cow Skin | Fish | Assorted Meat. Pounded yam and vegetable soup is a popular Nigerian dish where pounded yam, a dough-like food made from mashed yam, is served with a rich, leafy vegetable soup.
Ayamase Stew
- Ayamase/Ofada Stew $50.00
Ayamase, also known as Ofada or Designer stew, is a popular Nigerian stew made with green peppers, onions, palm oil, and various meats, often served with rice or plantains. PROTEIN: Egg and Assorted Meat It is big bowl and it can serve 4-5 people.
Ewa Agonyin
- Ewa Agonyin / Stew Source $50.00
Matched Honey Beans popularly knows as (Ewa Agoyin) comes with special stew source. Protein: Fish and Meat Portion for 4-5 people
Yam, Beans Stew
- Yam, Beans and pepper stew $25.00
Yam and beans stew is a popular dish in West Africa, typically featuring cooked beans, stewed with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, often served alongside boiled yam. PROTEIN: FISH AND MEAT
Egusi Soup
- Egusi Soup $50.00
Egusi soup is a popular West African, particularly Nigerian, soup made with ground melon seeds (egusi), cooked in a rich pepper mix and meat broth, often with leafy vegetables and other seasonings PROTEIN: Cow skin | Goat Meat | Fish Beef | Cow leg (Boneless) Portion for 4-5 people
Vegetable Soup
- Eforiro Soup $150.00
Efo riro, meaning "stirred greens" in Yoruba, is a popular Nigerian vegetable soup, a staple in Yoruba culture, typically made with spinach or other leafy greens, and cooked in a rich palm oil-based pepper sauce with protein such as Goat Meat | Fish | Cow skin || Assorted Meat Portion for 15-20 people
Jollof Rice with Plantain & Fried Egg
- Jollof Rice, Plantains & fried egg $35.00
Jollof rice is found throughout West Africa and is thought to be the origin of the Cajun dish, jambalaya. Serve with fried plantains and fried egg. Protein: Fish and Meat
Appetizer (Pepper Soup)
- Assorted Pepper Soup $25.00
Assorted meat pepper soup is a popular Nigerian dish, a flavorful and spicy broth featuring a mix of different meats like beef, goat, tripe, and cow skin
Moin Moin (Beans pudding)
- Moin Moin $5.00
Moin Moin, also known as Moi Moi, is a steamed Nigerian bean pudding made from a mixture of blended black-eyed peas, peppers, onions, and spices, often served with fish, eggs.
Akara (Beans Cake)
- Akara $50.00
Akara is a popular West African, specifically Nigerian, fried bean cake or fritter made from a batter of blended black-eyed peas, seasoned with spices, and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Portion for 4-5 people
Okro Soup
- Okro Soup $50.00
Okro soup, also known as okra soup, is a Nigerian soup dish primarily associated with the Igbo tribe, made with the edible green seed pods of the okra plant as a main ingredient, and can include other vegetables like ewedu, kerenkere, or Ugu leaf. Portion for 4-5 people
Stew for Swallow
- Stew for Swallow with Ewedu $50.00
For "swallow" dishes like Amala or Fufu, a common and flavorful stew to pair with Ewedu (jute leaf soup) is a rich, meat-based stew, often incorporating tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, known as "buka stew". PROTEIN: Fish | Goat Meat | Cow Skin | Cow Feet (Boneless) Big Bowl: Portion for 4-5 people
Stew for Rice
- White Rice stew $50.00
White rice stew is a dish consisting of cooked white rice served with a savory stew, often featuring meat, vegetables, and a rich, flavorful sauce. PROTEIN: Fish | Goat Meat | Cow Skin | Cow Feet (Boneless) Portion for 4-5 people
Rice and stew
- Rice & Stew $25.00
White rice stew is a dish consisting of cooked white rice served with a savory stew, often featuring meat, and a rich flavorful sauce. PROTEIN: Fish and Meat
Mamakulu African Cuisine Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Mamakulu African Cuisine Photos










Mamakulu African Cuisine Location
Mamakulu African Cuisine
222 S 6th St #1, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
Mamakulu African Cuisine Reviews
nigerian foodpriceportion sizeattentionegusi soupjollof ricestewcowspicyparking
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I’ve been coming to Mamakulu for about a month and have already visited four times — the food never disappoints! It’s true comfort food, and the quality and taste are always consistent, if not better each time. The staff is super friendly, and the portions are generous, which is a huge plus. If you’re in the Newark area, I definitely recommend stopping by for some authentic cuisine!
October 21 · Nahni LoveThis place is a hidden gem. I was hesitant to visit because it’s a private property, but I’m glad I did. I live in Clifton and drove 30 minutes to Newark to satisfy my craving for the fufu & Egusi soup.When I called, the owner was incredibly polite and answered all my questions. He greeted me downstairs with the food. The packaging was secure and prevented any leakage.The cow skin and fish were absolutely fantastic. The flavor, texture, and spiciness were all top-notch 10/10.However, the egusi soup was a bit different from what I had tasted before (different place). I’m not sure if it was the seasoning, but it had a distinct taste that I wasn’t familiar with. Nevertheless, I’d still rate it a 6/10.The portion size was generous for the price, and I ended up eating it in two days because it was so filling. The next day, the cow skin & fish had an even more amazing flavor. I highly recommend this place!
February 23 · Kenai Dixon-SoylemezThe food was very delicious and freshly cooked. Everything was well done and portioned right. She was hospitable, lkind and respectful. For authentic Nigerian food, go see Mamakulu!
October 18 · Ice breakersSince I left Nigeria this is the first time I eat Nigerian food that tastes just like the food in 9jja. The food tastes so so good, I wish I can rate it 100000000 stars.
July 12 · Aisha jI was in the Newark area for work and decided to look for a Nigerian restaurant. I came across this vendor, and even though it's set up in a home environment, the food is amazing and the portion sizes are incredible. I’m giving them a solid 10/10!
September 02 · Dim Emma
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