Miyan taushe
Pumpkin and groundnut soup from northern Nigeria, served with starchy sides
Miyan taushe is a thick soup from northern Nigeria, especially among the Hausa and Fulani people. It blends pumpkin, groundnut (peanut) paste, meat or fish, leafy greens, and spices. Eaten with starchy sides like tuwon shinkafa (rice balls) or fufu, it is a common part of daily meals.
- Made with pumpkin and groundnut (peanut) paste
- Popular among Hausa and Fulani people of northern Nigeria
- Served with starchy sides like tuwon shinkafa or fufu
- Includes meat or fish, leafy greens, and fermented locust beans
- Has a creamy, slightly sweet and savory flavor
What is Miyan taushe?
Miyan taushe is a hearty soup with a creamy, slightly sweet taste from pumpkin and groundnut (peanut) paste. It often includes meat or fish, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens like spinach or sorrel. The soup is thick and rich, with a smooth texture from the groundnut paste and a savory depth from fermented locust beans (dawadawa). It is usually served hot and eaten with starchy sides, making it filling and satisfying.
Where does Miyan taushe come from?
This soup comes from northern Nigeria, where it is a staple among the Hausa and Fulani people. Its use of groundnut paste and pumpkin reflects the local crops and tastes. The tradition of eating it with starchy 'swallow' foods, such as tuwon shinkafa or fufu, is common in the region. Miyan taushe has become popular in neighboring Niger as well, showing its spread across Hausa-speaking communities.
How is Miyan taushe made?
To prepare miyan taushe, pumpkin is cooked and combined with groundnut paste, which thickens the soup and gives it a creamy base. Meat or fish is added, along with onions, tomatoes, red and hot peppers, and sometimes ginger and garlic. Fermented locust beans (dawadawa) bring extra flavor. Leafy vegetables like spinach or sorrel are stirred in near the end. The soup is simmered until all the ingredients are soft and blended.
How and when is Miyan taushe eaten?
Miyan taushe is most often eaten for lunch or dinner as a main dish. It is served with starchy sides known as 'swallow' foods, such as tuwon shinkafa (rice balls), tuwon masara (maize balls), tuwon alkama (wheat balls), fufu, or even plain rice. Diners use their hands to scoop up a portion of the starch, dip it in the soup, and swallow it with little chewing. This way of eating is traditional in northern Nigeria.
Kinds of Miyan taushe
Some cooks use fish instead of meat, or both together. The choice of leafy greens can vary, with spinach, sorrel, or local vegetables used as available. Crayfish, ginger, and garlic may be added for extra flavor, and either palm oil or groundnut oil can be used. The soup can be made spicier or milder depending on the amount of hot pepper.
What Miyan taushe means
Miyan taushe is a daily food for many Hausa and Fulani families. It is not tied to a specific festival or religious practice but is valued for its comforting taste and nourishing qualities. The soup is a key part of northern Nigerian cuisine and is often served when guests visit, showing hospitality. Its pairing with various 'swallow' foods highlights local eating customs.
Questions people ask about Miyan taushe
What is miyan taushe made of?
Miyan taushe is made from pumpkin, groundnut (peanut) paste, meat or fish, onions, tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, and spices. It often includes fermented locust beans for extra flavor.
Where does miyan taushe come from?
Miyan taushe comes from northern Nigeria, especially among the Hausa and Fulani people. It is also found in Niger, reflecting its roots in Hausa-speaking regions.
How is miyan taushe usually eaten?
It is served hot as a main dish with starchy sides like tuwon shinkafa (rice balls), tuwon masara, tuwon alkama, fufu, or rice. People scoop up the soup with pieces of the starch using their hands.
Is miyan taushe vegetarian?
It varies. Some versions use only vegetables and groundnut paste, while others include meat or fish. The recipe can be adapted to suit different diets.
What does miyan taushe taste like?
The soup has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor from pumpkin and groundnut paste, balanced by savory notes from meat or fish, spices, and fermented locust beans.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Miyan taushe", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Nigeria
All the food of Nigeria
ShawarmaMeatشاورما
🇸🇾 Syria and 5 moreMeat roasted on a vertical spit and sliced into flatbread with sauces and vegetables
Street food, Lunch, Dinner
NkwobiMeat
🇳🇬 Nigeria and 1 moreCow feet cooked in palm oil and spices, a specialty from Nigeria's Igbo people
Main dish, Dinner, Snacks
FufuVegan
🇬🇭 Ghana and 4 moreA soft, starchy dough made by pounding cassava, plantain or cocoyam, eaten with soups
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Jambalaya
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreLouisiana rice cooked with meats, vegetables and spices in one pot
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Its cousins elsewhere
All soups
Sinigang
🇵🇭 PhilippinesA Filipino soup or stew with a tangy broth, often made with tamarind
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
BouillabaisseFish or seafood
🇫🇷 FranceA Marseille fish stew with local seafood, herbs, and saffron broth
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Fisherman's soupFish or seafood
🇭🇺 Hungary and 2 moreSpicy paprika-rich fish soup from Hungary and the Pannonian Plain
Soup, Dinner
Borscht
🇺🇦 Ukraine and 5 moreA sour soup of beetroot and vegetables, served hot or cold across Eastern Europe
Soup, Lunch, Dinner