Yam was one of the foods I looked for after moving to Canada.
I found it in a Chinese store.
That shop also had other familiar ingredients, and African stores became places where I bought things such as garri, Nigerian biscuits and drinks.
As I settled in, I was learning where to go for different things. Some shops came through recommendations from friends and community groups. Others I found by searching online.
I Found More Than Yam in a Chinese Store
I went to a Chinese store and bought yam there. I also got fish, meat and corn.
There were beans I recognised, so I bought those too. I found palm oil there as well, and later bought it from African stores.
The Chinese store became one of the places where I could get ingredients that were familiar to me.
That is something I would mention to another Nigerian newcomer looking for food. An African grocery shop can be a useful place to start, and other grocery stores may also carry ingredients you use.
What matters is checking what the particular shop has and whether it is the product you are looking for.
African Stores Had Garri and Familiar Nigerian Snacks
I bought garri from African stores, along with Nigerian biscuits, peanuts and beans. I also found Nigerian drinks and bought palm oil there.
Cooking ingredients were part of what I was looking for. There were also snacks and drinks I recognised from home.
When someone asks whether it is possible to find Nigerian food in Canada, those are the things I can speak about from my own experience. I have bought them here.
I would still be specific about what I wanted when asking for a shop recommendation. A place that has an ingredient for cooking may not have the particular biscuit or drink someone is looking for.
That is why the name of a shop is a starting point. It helps to find out whether the item you want is actually available.
How I Found African Grocery Stores
I found shops through community groups, recommendations from friends and online searches.
Some of the African stores I learnt about came through people in the community. Friends also referred me to shops, and I searched online for others.
Those different sources helped me find places to check.
For a newcomer, asking about a particular food can make a recommendation more useful. If you want yam or garri, say so when asking where to shop. Someone may know where they have seen it.
Online searches are another way to begin. Phrases such as “African grocery store near me” or “Nigerian grocery store,” together with the name of your town or city, can help you look for nearby options.
Before making a trip for a particular item, I would check the store’s current opening hours and contact it about availability where possible. A recommendation tells you where to look; checking with the shop can help you decide whether to make the journey.
What I Would Tell Another Nigerian Newcomer
Start with the foods you actually want to find.
It is easier to ask a useful question when you can name the ingredient, snack or drink you are looking for. Community groups and friends can help with suggestions, and an online search gives you another way to look.
Keep an open mind about the shops you visit. In my experience, both African stores and a Chinese grocery store had things I bought for Nigerian cooking.
At the same time, check the actual product. A familiar name does not always tell you the variety, ingredients or package size. Look at the label and ask the seller if something is unclear.
I would also give myself room to use different shops for different things. The place where I found yam did not have to be the same place where I bought Nigerian biscuits.
Questions Newcomers Ask About Finding Nigerian Food in Canada
Where can I buy Nigerian food in Canada?
African grocery shops are one place to look. I found shops through community groups, friends and online searches. Other grocery stores may also have familiar ingredients; I bought several in a Chinese store.
Can I find yam, beans or palm oil in a Chinese grocery store?
I bought those items in a Chinese store in Canada. That was my experience with a particular shop, so check the selection at the store near you rather than assuming every location carries them.
How can I find an African grocery store near me?
Search using your town or city alongside “African grocery store” or “Nigerian grocery store.” You can also ask local community groups and friends for recommendations, which helped me find shops.
Can I buy African groceries online in Canada?
Yes. Canadian retailers offer African groceries through online ordering. Before buying, check the delivery area, charges, product details and delivery arrangements on the retailer’s website. Online African Market
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