What is ‘Soup’?

Exploration of a Staple in Nigerian Food Blogs

Abstract

Food blogs are literary virtual forms and important ways in which migrants share recipes,
stories and ingredients. On blogs, some foods become emblematic of specific spaces linked to
concepts of identity, affordability and health. Using text, photos and videos, people express the
ways to make authentic dishes with novel ingredients. Over the past several years, food blogs
have become valuable means for Nigerian migrants to share recipes, highlighting ways to
substitute ingredients and still retaining the essential flavour and perceived nutritional content
of the dish. One such important staple dish for Nigerians is ‘soup’. By focusing on recipes for
‘soup’ we ask: what makes ‘soup’ such an important on Nigerian food blogs? Which soups are
most popular and what narratives do popular bloggers share about soups and their ingredients?
Using content and narrative analysis, we argue that soup recipes on blogs are part and parcel
of food literature that accompanies migration.