Welcome to Nneji
At Nneji, nestled in the heart of Queens, NY, a culinary journey through West Africa awaits. This small but vibrant eatery champions authentic African flavors with dishes like the smoky Efo Riro and the rich Lamb Tagine. The attention to detail shines as each dish is infused with traditional spices, evoking the warmth of home-cooked meals. Nneji’s friendly staff brings a personal touch, often guiding diners through their choices while sharing the cultural significance behind each plate. With a focus on fresh ingredients and heartfelt service, Nneji promises a delightful experience for food enthusiasts eager to explore African cuisine.
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32-20 34th Ave, Queens, NY 11106 Hotline: (917) 832-7338
Welcome to Nneji, a delightful gem located in the heart of Queens, NY, at 32-20 34th Ave. This vibrant little restaurant serves as a gateway to authentic African cuisine, with a particular emphasis on West African and Nigerian dishes. The name "Nneji" embodies a sense of community and heritage, illustrating the essence of the culinary experience that awaits you.
As you walk into Nneji, you are immediately enveloped by the aromas of traditional spices and the bustling energy of the kitchen. The open kitchen layout allows guests to witness the magic of cooking firsthand, where every dish is crafted with care and passion. The friendly staff, often engaging with patrons, offer a warm welcome that makes you feel at home, even if you are sampling dishes for the first time.
At Nneji, the menu is a celebration of bold flavors and rich culinary traditions. Their signature dishes include:
- Egusi with Beef, Smoked Fish, and Cocoyam: This sumptuous dish, deeply rooted in Igbo culinary customs, features a rich melon seed soup full of flavor, making it an ideal partner to pounded yam fufu.
- Spicy Goat Stew: Tender chunks of goat meat nestled in a vibrant blend of ginger and scotch bonnet, presenting a delightful kick to your palate.
- Jollof Rice: A classic among West African dishes, this flavorful rice pilaf infused with herbs, scotch bonnet, and basmati is a must-try.
- Lamb Tagine: Drawing inspiration from North African cuisine, these marinated lamb shanks are perfectly seared, offering an exotic excursion for your taste buds.
- Peanut Stew with Lamb, Carrot, & Cassava: A well-loved favorite across West Africa, this comforting stew is not only filling but delightful, providing robust flavors with every bite.
Customer reviews highlight one of Nneji's standout features: the attentive service. Guests routinely rave about the knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff, who are eager to share insights about each dish. Many have noted how the owner goes above and beyond, providing samples and explanations that enhance the dining experience, making it as educational as it is delicious.
Though Nneji operates primarily as a take-out venue with no indoor seating, patrons often find enjoyment in taking their meals to nearby parks. This casual dining experience adds to the charm, allowing you to savor the delightful dishes in the open air. It’s not just food; it’s an experience—eating West African cuisine in the greens of Queens.
Nneji is not only about great food but also about celebrating culture through culinary narratives, providing dishes that remind you of home, no matter where that may be. Don't miss out on their daily specials and unique offerings; the menu is both diverse and adaptable, encouraging guests to explore the rich landscape of West African flavors.
So the next time you're in the mood for comfort food that tells a story, swing by Nneji. With flavors that resonate and a welcoming atmosphere, every visit promises a delicious journey through the heart of African cuisine.
The ladies at the store were busy cooking in 90 degree weather and I was so impressed with the flavors. The chef made me a sampler of what she was cooking and everything we so good. I figure if they can stand the heat and make it, the least I can do is have stew during the NYC heatwave. well worth it. I will be back to try other things.
Cute, small African restaurant with food on steam trays. It is also halal. The owner is very sweet and friendly. She offered me samples. I ended up getting the beef stew, jollof, and a chicken dish that I didn't remember the name of. Might have been yassa. The food wasn't that spicy although the flavor of the chicken with onions has a really strong mustard flavor. The pounded yam helps mellow out the flavor. The jollof was grainy. I enjoyed the beef stew. The food was ok, but I had better.
Ate here today for dinner by myself after work. This was definitely my first time eating West African food feeling curious about what to choose and eat for the first time. I had brought and tried the egusi soup and had a side of garri (mashed cassava) that it tasted quite good and had a strong spice taste to make it tasty. The service was also phenomenal and extremely friendly that the person who was working in the store name was Beatrice. She was also super nice, welcoming and chill to explain to me what each dishes taste and look like and how it's cooked from scratch. I couldn't agree more and I would definitely eat and come back again next time! :)
The lady behind the counter was INCREDIBLY nice, a very rare trait for almost any eatery. She shows interest the things you talk about with her. I was allowed to sample a few of the items on the steam table before making my order which was great. All of the food that I ordered had amazing texture, nice flavor, and paired well together. The place itself does not have anywhere to sit, but one can easily walk to a nearby park or bench to eat the food as I did. There is a variety of things to buy that are not hot foods waiting to be eaten along the walls inside. Will definitely be coming here again the next time I am craving west African food!
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet!!!!! I still remember the day my partner RAN BACK home from Nneji to tell me he found this amazing west African food place that I need to get food from, and he took my "order" and ran back out to bring me food from Nneji. We always have a nice time talking with the lady there. She is very nice and personable. She will show you the food they have and how they're good for your health and will answer all your questions!! The food is just SO GOOD. I really don't know what to compare it to. It feels like home. Bunch of flavors just working perfectly together. I also love the textures you get from each dish. The food used to be pretty spicy and even though I don't do spices, they were so good I still kept eating while sweating like Niagara. But I had them yesterday and I feel like the hotness of the spice was toned down. They also have some soaps and other west African products that intrigues me all the time. They don't have indoor seating so I always take out to bring home to eat or eat outside at a park somewhere. Just go check them out I promise you won't regret it!
Incredible. Woman that runs it is badass, a visit is a lesson in West African history, culture, and amazing food. Reasonable prices too, for some of the most flavorful fare in NYC.
I'd been on the hunt for a legit West African/Nigerian and stumbled upon Nneji a while ago. This restaurant was a 2-person operation. There are also some small provisions such a shea butters, yam powder, Suya powder etc. that they had in stock. Staff was very kind and patiently explained what everything was to us. My bf and I settled on the egusi (melon seed stew in palm oil), jollof and mixed meat stew (beef, lamb, chicken). They threw in a bit of yassa, which I had never tried before (onion, mustard). Everything was tasty, well seasoned with a pleasant level of spice. I'm also super picky about the type of egusi I eat and this was probably one of the few times I scraped my container clean. My bf who wasn't as familiar with these dishes is now an egusi fan. Just as a heads up, there wasn't any seating in the restaurant, which we didn't realize when we were coming. That said, just plan ahead for where you'll be eating this fantastic meal. Super glad I came and I cannot wait to come back!
I've been here 3 times in the past year and been really appreciating a cuisine I've never really explored before. It's strange how an unfamiliar food could feel so comfort food-like. My favorites here have been the lamb shank (super tender and well seasoned, comes with some yassa which is a mustard/black pepper seasoned onion dish), egusi (melon seed soup that is so distinctive), and jollop rice (a bit saltier than normal base rice, very flavorful). I've also had the harissa chicken and okra, which were both okay. The other two grain bases (fonio and garra I think) were relatively flavorless to me although the texture was interesting. The only reasons for a star deduction are for logistica. The prices are so confusing - think they've been updated since the menu they have but I never know how much I'll pay (still reasonable). Also, the hours tend to be inconsistent - I've stopped by a couple of times only for it to still be closed. I do love that the owner will allow you to bring your own Tupperware, but the last time I did, it was a different person and he seemed new and didn't know what to do with them. All in all, the business has some operational details to iron out I think, but loving the food!
This recent newly opened restaurant is worth a try. Delicious African food. It is a very small take-out store. The food is prepped and ready to order. They have a few main options, about 4 daily, and a few sides, about 3 or can choose a bread. I tried the red stew with chicken. This is my fav. Very flavorful and a bit spicy. Great with the jollof rice side, also my fav. Also had the okra dish. It is good if you like okra. The melon seed dish is good also. It is a bit more mild than the flavors of the red stew. Good with rice or garri. Garri has an interesting chewy texture, more so than a potato. I tried a bit of everything to learn about the foods also. There are a bunch of baked goods to choose from. These are from an Italian bakery in Astoria and very tasty. My fav is the apple turnover. Crust is baked well. The elephant ears cookie is very good - crispy and flaky. It is about $2-3/ea for the baked goods. The owner is very nice and friendly. She took the time to explain the different dishes and answer quite a few questions about the foods. Price is very reasonable. About $8/ea for the mains. Would definitely go back. Also good to help small businesses especially at this time.