The Akara I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Akara and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the deeply umami from fermented ingredients was right, crayfish powder was handled the way it should be.

Nigerian cuisine varies between the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and other ethnic culinary traditions. Growing up it was always a family gathering, which shaped my reference point entirely. Fanta orange alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.