“Egusi and Pap”: Nigerian Woman Living in SA Shares Meal She Prepared for Her Xhosa Boyfriend

• A Nigerian woman living in South Africa shared a video preparing traditional egusi soup for her Xhosa partner
• Egusi soup is a popular West African dish made using ground melon seeds alongside vegetables, meat and seasoning
• Cross-cultural relationships often create opportunities for people to experience different food traditions and everyday customs
• Briefly News spoke to Bambi, the Nigerian woman who prepared a traditional meal for her Xhosa boyfriend, blending both cultures in one wholesome moment

Food often becomes one of the biggest ways cultures connect, and one woman living in South Africa recently shared how she brings part of her Nigerian heritage into everyday life.

Content creator @bambistrands_za posted a video on 24 May 2026 showing herself preparing a traditional Nigerian meal for her Xhosa partner. The woman made egusi soup, a well-known West African dish popular in countries such as Nigeria. Egusi soup is traditionally prepared using ground melon seeds, which create its distinctive thick texture. The dish is commonly cooked alongside ingredients such as spinach or leafy vegetables, meat, stockfish, dried fish, peppers, onions and seasoning.

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The creator explained that her South African partner enjoys the dish, offering a glimpse into how relationships can blend cultures through shared experiences and food traditions. Cross-cultural households frequently introduce people to flavours and customs they may never have experienced before.

What ingredients are in egusi soup?

Different Nigerian households often prepare egusi differently depending on family traditions and regional influences. Some versions include beef, tripe or goat meat, while others focus more heavily on vegetables and seafood. The meal is often served alongside swallow foods such as pounded yam, eba or fufu.

Living in another country can sometimes bring moments of cultural adjustment, but food often becomes one of the easiest bridges between different backgrounds. From ingredients and cooking styles to family traditions around meals, food remains one of the strongest ways people connect across cultures. The meal prepared by user @charlesevans29 showed Mzansi how different cultures can mix and co-exist.

Bambi told Briefly News that the gesture was inspired by both love and curiosity.

“Honestly, I was inspired by love and curiosity. As a Nigerian girl dating a Xhosa man, I wanted him to experience a part of my culture through food. Egusi soup is one of those meals that feels like home to me, so preparing it for him was special.”

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She said watching him enjoy egusi with pap turned into a funny but meaningful cultural exchange.

“Watching him eat egusi with pap was funny and wholesome at the same time because it became a mix of both our cultures on one plate.”

Bambi explained that their relationship has helped her appreciate cultural differences more deeply.

“We learn from each other every day, from language and traditions to food and family values. I’ve learned that culture is not something that should divide people; it can actually bring people closer when there is respect, understanding, and willingness to learn from one another.”

She added that sharing food has become one of the ways they strengthen their relationship.

“One thing I’ve learned is that food is more than just eating; it’s comfort, love, and storytelling. Sometimes the smallest things, like cooking for someone or teaching them about your traditions, can strengthen a relationship in such a meaningful way.”

Watch the TikTok vlog below:

Mzansi comments on her meal

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Abe wrote:

“Egusi with semolina is my favourite.”

Thabang_m wrote:

“It does look appetising, I don’t know if it’s the pap that’s making me want to try it. 😂😂😂”

Gehl from South Ahh wrote:

“Please filter your comments. You can put unwanted words into your keyword list so the comments don’t appear on your page. 🙂❤️”

Rifumo wrote:

“Nah, he didn’t lie… Pap goes very well with egusi. 😩❤️”

MmagweOne wrote:

“Please put salt in the water, not on the pap. You salt while the water is boiling, then you add your porridge after.”

Nomasibulele wrote:

“Where are you getting egusi seeds cc? Can you show me? I tried to Google, but I’m not sure I got the right answer. 🙏”

Zweshino wrote:

“I love this for you, my sister. I’m also Xhosa. I love how you love my brother. May you keep each other long. 🥰🥰🥰”

Zizipho Bomvu wrote:

“This is a genuine question. Fish doesn’t really smell nice, doesn’t drying it make it worse?”

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Jemma Nyamakazi wrote:

“When am I invited? Egusi is my favourite.”

TinyikoEssentialTheplanner wrote:

“Next time, please call me so I can learn two things for my husband. 😭”

3 Other Briefly News stories about food

• A Facebook group shared two photos showing South African chicken feet versus Nigerian traditional meat dishes.
• A young American TikTok user shared his first experience at RocoMamas and gave his thoughts on the food.
• A South African man shared a food review that was a viral hit as he tasted cuisine from a different country.

Source: Briefly News