Isi ewu

Isi ewu
Alternative namesGoat's head soup, spiced goat's head
Typemeat
Place of originNigeria
Region or stateIgboland
Main ingredients
  • Goat's head
  • Palm Oil
  • Leafy vegetables
Ingredients generally used
  • Crayfish
  • Onions

Isi ewu (English: Goat's head) // ⓘ is a traditional Igbo dish that is made with a goat's head.

It is a soup similar to spicy cow feet (nkwobi) except that isi ewu is made from the head of a goat rather than cow feet. Some restaurants cook the whole head at once, others reduce the amount of water used and cut the head into pieces.

Ingredients

A goat head, calabash nutmeg (also known as ehu seed), onion, potash, palm oil, utazi leaves, and ụgba are required to cook Isi Ewu soup

Preparation

The meat is boiled until tender inside a pot; a pressure cooker is mostly used due to the toughness of goat meat.

Grated onion, seasoning, pepper and salt are added to thickened palm oil made from adding a mixture of sieved potash and water to palm oil in another pot entirely.

The goat head, brain separate (mashed with mortar), calabash nutmeg, ugba are also added to the thickened palm oil after some minutes.

Isi ewu is served with sliced onions and utazi leaves when done. It can be eaten with rice or any side dish of your choice. Isi Ewu is typically served in a bowl and eaten directly with one’s hands.

Cultural significance

It is mostly prepared for special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and traditional meetings, and is often served with chilled palm wine, beer, or any drink of choice. It is regarded as a symbol of celebration and pride in Igbo culture due to its authenticity.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Edet, Laura. "Nigeria Recipes: ISI-EWU (spiced goat head)". Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  2. ↑ Odiraa (2020-04-13). "How to Prepare Isi Ewu (Goat Head): A Step By Step Guide". 9jafoods. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  3. ↑ "Isi Ewu (goat head) Recipe by Diana Asare". Cookpad. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  4. ↑ "Isi ewu, Goat head in spicy sauce". The Pretend Chef. 2017-12-17. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  5. ↑ "Isi Ewu". Ritman Bar & Bistro. Archived from the original on 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  6. 1 2 "Nigerian Isi Ewu: Spicy Goat Head". All Nigerian Recipes. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  7. ↑ Dobby (2015-09-20). "Isi ewu recipe - How to make isi ewu (Sauced goat head)". Dobby's Signature. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  8. ↑ Oredola, Tayo (2024-08-23). "Isiewu Spicy Goat Head". Low Carb Africa. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  9. ↑ Stanford, Igbo (2025-06-09). "Isi Ewu Recipe – How to Make Ogbonge Igbo Goat Head Delicacy". Nigerian Recipes and Dishes. Retrieved 2026-05-21.