Houston, a Haven for West African Food | No Passport Required with Marcus Samuelsson | Full Episode

[@a_maina1]

When WE tell OUR own stories, WE eliminate the marginalizing effect of OTHERNESS. This is brilliant!!!

[@tayoosiyemi5130]

Well said!

[@sandraanderson8892]

Originally I did not know where to start. I was born in Jamaica. Watching this episode I felt so at home everything MADE sense I grew up eating rice, plantin goat meat lots of pepper. Everything made sense to me I felt so at ease. Even the fact the fact that there is music and dancing just solidified the everything for me. Marcus thank you for this super awesome series. I’ve been watching and following all the episodes. ✨✨✨✨

[@anthonymccauley9101]

I live in Dallas and my parents are Jamaican. There is a growing and fairly sizeable Jamaican community in Houston and also in Dallas. Some of the African food stores here in Dallas stock Jamaican products, and I believe the yams and plantains etc, come from Houston. I love Jollof rice, but have yet to try some of the other African dishes, but I do see similarities between Nigerian and Ghanaian food, with Jamaican. If you have never been to Houston before it is worth a visit, it is way more diverse than Dallas.....but for the Jamaican side of things nowhere near New York, London, or Miami.

[@toade1583]

Jamaican has a lot of West African influences(especially Akan, Igbo, Ewe etc.) so a lot of the food in Jamaican reflects that as well as South Asian influence which is why it's one of the only parts of the Western world where goat meat is heavily eaten as that is a staple food in both West Africa and South Asia.

[@nixmor5333]

Every episode is just better and draws you in to value all these various and beautiful diverse cultures. Marcus' wonderful personality, his obvious love for food and people has made this series an addictive one.. My weekend is now complete. 😍🤩

[@akaziaj]

Agree thx you.

[@ElizabethHome153]

I didn't knew there was a big nigeria community in Houston, I love it. In Haiti we made foufou with breadfruits, I guess there weren't yams when we arrived in the island. "Flowersan, okra like leaves" call Lalo in Haiti. Love from 🇭🇹

[@fatimakane3052]

This is so interesting! "lalo" in Senegal is powder made of dried baobab leaves that is used as a "glue" to hold together cooked (steamed) millet (like couscous) so that some cooked sauce can be poured over it. Same type of use, both in Haiti and in Senegal. Awesome!

[@StarboundUK]

A lot of Nigerian engineers & others with experience in Oil & Gas & Energy & other industries found their way to Houston over last 40+ yrs along with other STEM graduates etc... Plus Houston, 4th largest city in US was a relatively inexpensive city to move to post war.

[@juderickman8275]

I have been away from Houston but will be back there this month. Great to have my eyes opened to this food, community. The fusion pop-up dinner was phenomenal

[@toluasaolu]

In Nigeria, this breadfruit fufu is a favourite for Ife people

[@Dantor1990]

@@toluasaolureally!

[@NIO623]

Jolly Jolly Bread is the truth!! My kids love it. I met Jolly once when the idea of her bakery was still a dream of hers. Proud of her and her bakery and its growth.

[@tplez1659]

Farmer Elizabeth is so sweet. I love her smile. My kids and I once pitched in at her farm and thereafter we became subscribers picking up our weekly allotment from Urban Harvest farmers market on Saturdays. God bless her and her family.

[@MarianSylla]

She seems sweet indeed! May God prosper them.

[@jamillawebb3567]

Senegalese thieboudienne!😩😩 lawd the first time I tasted it and a doctor I was volunteering with bought me some fresh baobab juice I almost brought him back to the US as my husband!!!! 😂❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

I think that Marcus is such a talented host. Also, I think that Marcus asked great questions and knows quite a lot about food and other cultures. It looks like he does at least a little bit of background research but I can’t say for sure. Very good. There’s nothing like this program.

[@CherryJ2911]

Agreed!!!

[@msdyamonddiva]

This series is so AWESOME! Chef Samuelsson does an amazing job highlighting and engaging in these food stories.

[@maureenwm]

I loved this episode as an African my 2 favorite episodes are this one and the Ethiopian one. I love how Marcus interacts with people from his African culture he's so free with them and happy.

[@Afripol]

Marcus is most intelligent chef in the world. He used food and its understanding to unite the world.

[@bernaw.3259]

I am from the Caribbean our food is from west Africa . Thanks Marcus.

[@lamar78us]

My love she is beautiful and from west Nigeria 🇳🇬! The people and the culture is so beautiful and humble! She lives in Houston and teaching me about her culture

[@GoddessBB]

This is my first time watching "No Passport Required," being from Houston as well as being obsessed with Nigerian food, I really truly enjoyed watching this video. Houston has the largest Nigerian community in the United States.

[@b.garland1826]

This bums me out so bad. I visited Nigeria this year, and I don't think we ate any of the key dishes. Our host very graciously went to extreme efforts to serve Americanized dishes to us, which was a beautiful display of Nigerian hospitality, but I am certain I would have loved the regional food.

[@VivSees]

Let them know next time. They would have loved to have served you their traditional dishes. For sure!

[@truethots3088]

What stopped you from patronizing the thousands of local restaurants if you really wanted to experience the culture?

[@doctajuice]

I go to Houston pretty frequently and never knew about any of these places. I'm adding all these restaurants to my list thanks so much for this blessed content

[@kavachiu2616]

Yes, stop by Safari & Suya Hut

[@dohpe-]

Indigo is already closed

[@caffeevid]

Marcus is the perfect host. He brings his knowledge and personal story forward to connect with everyone he meets. The best moment is when he connected with the Indigo chef Jonny Rhodes. ❤

[@CherryJ2911]

20:16 😂😂😂 love the couple the man is funny he said his father left him nothing 😂😂😂

[@kimberlyhayes653]

I love this show and had to press pause at the very beginning to type how much my heart broke when the story about food being rejected at school was mentioned. Glad she took a bad situation and got tougher from it. Much respect.

[@kavachiu2616]

Thank you ❤

[@seekinggodfirst754]

I see the rejection in a different light. I don't think the teacher was trying to be mean or offensive. The students and teacher was just not familiar with Nigerian food. If you are unfamiliar with something, it's hard to embrace it. Personally, I think the mom should have sent a simpler dish. Maybe the others would have been more willing to try it.

[@kindomofghana]

​@@seekinggodfirst754 Plain white rice and tomato stew is not simple enough? It is not that the teachers and students were not willing to try it, as you have put it. It is that her food was not even displayed or put on the table for whoever wanted to try it to have an opportunity to do so. Why does a school organise an international day and ask children to bring dishes from their respective countries if they are expecting these children to bring foods that they are already familiar with? Why don't they just call it American Day and ask the children to bring American food or give specific instructions on foods from cultures they consider familiar enough that they will accept?

[@truethots3088]

I felt that deeply too.. down side of being an immigrant I'd all these ignorant people that try to break your kids spirit.

[@truethots3088]

​​@@seekinggodfirst754funny you. So plain white rice and stew is not a simple dish? Or a simple enough dish to recognize as if they don't have/eat tomotoe sauce or white rice in American culture 😅😂 .you also missed the part of the whole event was about people showing thier culture. They where just being mean. If not nothing stops then from at the very least just tasting it. And from what I understand the mean teacher didn't even give people the opportunity.

[@afeworkw1291]

This is an amazing, proud to be an African.

[@god563616]

Thank you for HIGHLIGHTING my BEAUTIFUL DIVERSE CITY Houston , TEXAS! I am a Native Houstonian, part of the Nigerian culture and I've eaten at every culture food known to man and Nigerian food has always been celebrated here!! God bless everyone in this video with multiple success in Jesus name Amen!

[@iplaywithfoodttmohammed99]

Indigo's Executive Investor is Marcus Samuelsson. self-promotion is the best promotion. Thanks for supporting African Ummah.

[@Lemlem7682]

We Ethiopians have Fufu, but we call it gnfo. I have never eaten Nigerian food, but I am going to try it.

[@kaleabwondimu7581]

YES Ginfo, Bulla

[@Lemlem7682]

@kaleabwondimu7581 I didn't know about bulla 🙂 what languages is that?

[@LilyJimma]

You are right we have Genfo. But it’s not for roots vegetables. Ours is from flower. It could be barley, wheat, oat, and bula. There’s is totally different. I never tried it but I willingly to test it . Please someone tell me if any Nigerian Restaurants in Bay Area specifically, in San Jose. , CA.

[@Always-Hangry]

West African flavours are definitely on the come up. 💙

[@marchelletillman1678]

Marcus has such a colourful wardrobe and his signature hats.....

[@Amari1505]

Peanut soup is well known around the whole west African region

[@bjdefilippo447]

Is there a difference between groundnuts and peanuts? My recipe calls for groundnuts, but I've never seen anything here labelled that.

[@ajaabai9850]

Groundnut is peanuts. And peanut soup is eaten all over West Africa. No one country owns it.

[@MajorrBison]

​@@bjdefilippo447Same thing. It's like asking if there is a difference between maize and corn.

[@madjoabutterfly]

Exactly from Senegal to Ghana etc we all eat peanut soup too! Good to know Nigerians enjoy it as well.

[@CherryJ2911]

@@bjdefilippo447hahah it’s the same

[@soufwesthoustontx]

Marcus is such an amazing host. He maneuvered through different parts of the culture(s) beautifully and respectfully and asked great questions. Bravo.

[@kingmarianna]

I’m not from Houston but have lived there for quite some time. The most surprising part of the city was the diversity, I always thought the south was lacking diversity like this but Houston is on its own. The culinary options are endless.

[@erykado]

I love the energy of the Jolly Jolly owner. He loves his art

[@taurusscorpion6704]

I thought that I had a favorite episode, but you came to my hometown, HOUSTON!!!! Wazobia is awesome, the owners also celebrate Juneteenth with those of us who ate from here. Our mayor visited Ghana 4 minths ago. When I tell you that Houston has always been, not just metropolitan, but international. There is always a celebration of culture here. My mom was part of the community welcoming Africans to Texas Southern University back in the early 70s. Thanks again. I have shared this video with friends and family 🤎🩵🧡🤎🩵🧡

[@kwasi47]

Thanks for the benevolence of your mum in the 70s. I was part of the early immigrants to the area during that period. U could count us maybe less than 50 in all. Most were students at TSU & UofH. I was one of 2 students at Rice University. I am Ghanaian. My other friend is Nigerian. I still live in the area. Again medase (thanks in Twi).

[@jeanniebrooks]

This episode is so EXCITING! It’s enlightening, informative and one of your best, Marcus! I’m so thrilled you are doing this series. Thank you!

[@Fannymae79]

Suya Hut is amazing. I went for dinner. The owners are extremely welcoming and so nice. Food is 💯💯💯

[@doctoressyM.D]

Fufu is made from fermented cassava. She made pounded yam. Great content though. Much love from Nigeria.

[@kavachiu2616]

Thank you

[@MildnWild]

Actually, fufu has become an umbrella name for all the 'swallows'.

[@hapexconsulting3789]

@@MildnWild Says who. That's for novice. Why would you join the novice? Poundo is poundo, Amala is Amala, fufu is fufu, oatmeal is oatmeal etc If anything Swallow is what is now the umbrella name.

[@socialmedia1812]

​@@hapexconsulting3789 fufu is not a nigerian word. In other countries, we call fufu everything mashed. We have fufu made of cassava, corn even rice

[@suyahut2679]

​@@hapexconsulting3789says America LOL ❤

[@chloepreparatory7799]

One of the reasons I love to go to Houston!!!!

[@plamedimatenda10]

Pan-africanism is an unstoppable movement and i'm glad to see it's rise in my lifetime

[@Timenowistoact]

I’m Nigerian and very proud to see this.

[@selamawithagos5248]

I have a big respect for you Marcus, keep up the good work. I love to watch every episode.

[@sabinengo6824]

Why Netflix didn't buy this TV show? thank you Marcus to show us the culture

[@lelagreen9126]

I love the show and I wish they would show more of it on PBS

[@JOURNEysofab1]

Oh how I love this series! Another great one! Thanks to all of the team that makes this possible!

[@kennethc9996]

Great episode down in H-Town

[@fvfr6294]

❤🤘🏾🤘🏾❤

[@datoute84]

Thank you Chef Marcus u r the best🇭🇹

[@Simitsegay123]

Wow beautiful to see all Africans come together in love to learn one anothers culture and foods.Its so enrichissant. God bless The hoste Marcus and all the Participent. Semy France 👏👏🇫🇷 Let Love Lead.🙏

[@belenclime8930]

“She didn’t ask me?” ❤❤❤ that 3rd grader would be so proud now !!

[@NIO623]

I hope ChopN blok was featured. They have taken the Naija food game to the next level. I love their food.

[@jacquelinegibson7420]

Loving seeing the excitement of people discovering and sharing their cultures, Chef Marcus seems to be able to get everyone to open up and talk.

[@samantha6670]

Rwandan and big fan of West African culture especially Nigerian.

[@d.reddick6426]

One word for this West African food documentary: DOPE👩🏿‍🍳👨🏿‍🍳🎥!!!

[@lionmarljam5456]

It is said that when one is hungry any kind of food is appetizing, no matter who cooks it but some folks are still skeptical. Markus has used his platform to gather and decode geographic original roots of some of what we enjoy eating from our home and restaurants across America. Lucky man, grateful viewings😋❤😋.

[@linnetmbotto7212]

I am East African /Tanzanian and I am so proud to see all this. So proud

[@lolamartin8514]

LOVE this series. I share it with friends in Mexico, South America, Germany, Sweden, etc. Thank you, Marcus.

[@maeOblifias]

You’re exceptional Chef Marcus,every episode brought us to a very insightful and diverse education on African food and culture. Thank you for this type of education,more power abd God bless you♥️♥️♥️ From: 🇸🇽🇸🇽🇸🇽

[@jaibanks7151]

Brilliantly excuated! ( All Love from oakland California) by way of Auchi in Edo state south, south of Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@truthmatterbyoladada1462]

Edo State is not in south south

[@jaibanks7151]

@@truthmatterbyoladada1462 peace & blessings to you and yours!

[@dubemellit2932]

Never heard of south south in a cardinal points 😮😮

[@jaibanks7151]

@@dubemellit2932 peace and blessing to you and yours! ( All Love from oakland California ) by way of Auchi in Edo state south. South of Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@WillsJazzLoft]

I had jollof rice for the first time when I lived in Liberia. Was it good? Yes it was! Nuff said

[@keithbrown9198]

Former Houstonian, I had a friend at work that had neighbors trying to start a catering company, they were either Ghanian or Senegalese, and one day, he brought in a bunch of food he bought from them. OMG!!! It was eye opening for me. I spent a lot of time in Asia, and I did see some similarity also that surprised me. Everyone loved it, so delicious! Like Marcus says, the secret is going to get out. Don't miss out!

[@Zelazella1]

Nigerian food is the best

[@gw2315]

Houstonian here and we love Hakeem Olajuwon 💕💕💕🙏🏻 go Rockets 🚀

[@batissta44]

I love the diversity of Houston TX. love from NYC.

[@emilianacarbonero4728]

QUE ORGULLO VER ESTÁS PERSONAS 💁🏽‍♀️👵🏾👵🏾👩🏽‍🏫💁🏿‍♀️💁🏿‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️✍🏽🇨🇴📄👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@jamillawebb3567]

This episode was amazing. I can’t believe Ive been in New Orleans for years and never visited Houston. I have to go!!!

[@kiaj.d.5855]

I went to school in New Orleans and now live outside of Houston. Yes, you should come!

[@jamiw9906]

This is so beautiful. I’m tired of the hate. What a great way for everyone to learn what makes God’s people important and special everyone is.

[@gregorriusadolphus2729]

I'm glad Nigerian food is on the come up! I spent some of my childhood years in Alief (off Bissonet) in the late 1980's. If my dad wanted to get some Nigerian foodstuffs, we'd have to go to the Asian markets....and smuggle stockfish from London or Lagos when we would go visit family LOL.

[@bahiras]

Wonderful! Thank-you, Marcus. You gave me a new and better understanding of Houston, TX

[@dygitalduchess]

Marcus can get down in the kitchen and the dancefloor! Really enjoyed this video.

[@CherryJ2911]

6:04 😂😂😂 thanks for setting that straight chef! Ghana stand up 😂😂🇬🇭 love love my Nigerians though ❤ thanks Chef Marcus you are an amazing host ❤

[@fatimakane3052]

It is so fulfilling to hear Marcus admit that Jollof came from Senegal. It is a region in Senegal, and now, actually Senegal itself is called Jollof because it was a kingdom back in the day before colonization. Therefore, this should end the debate about who got the best Jollof rice. Heard y'all Nigerians, Ghanaians, Liberians, and all our brothers/sisters from West Africa? Senegal is the Master of Jollof :) That made my night! :) Love you all!

[@Mlk868]

Jollof come from the wolof people that is living in Senegal & The Gambia.

[@Lemlem7682]

You know Marcus keeps saying it. Fufu came from Senegal 🇸🇳. I thought it came from 🇬🇭 Ghana or Nigeria 🇳🇬 and in Ethiopia 🇪🇹 we have Fufu, but we call it gnfo.

[@elvisokpu6361]

@@Lemlem7682 fufu is a generic name there are different versions of fufu

[@asaasare220]

I don’t think I heard him say fufu is from Senegal… jollof rather

[@kavachiu2616]

@ artoffufu cookbook highlights origins

[@iam_bantu-eh3bz]

THIS IS GREAT....LOVE TO SEE MY PEOPLE EVERYWHERE....WAOOO..... NOW WE ARE MASTERS.... COOL TO BE AFRICAN...WAKANDA...YAOOO!

[@theopinion9452]

Wow,I wish I could taste all that same food that Chef Samuelsson enjoyed.

[@kishastanley344]

This episode is the bomb extraordinary, Beautiful people I have Tears in my eyes because I'm love culture really helps me to understand people bring people together and the Food is love love my African brothers and sisters.🧅🧄🥔🌽🧅🍠🥕🌶️🍅🥟🍚🍛🍲

[@baomin60]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video about West African cuisine and how these great chefs are doing their part to share it with the world...(even if it starts in Houston 😉). As an African American, my heritage is from the Bubi of Bioko Island Eqitorial Guinea & with strong ties to the Hausa, Tikar, and Fulani of Cameroon. I appreciate this video and am inspired to learn more and share this cuisine with my family (Midwest U.S.). Thank you for sharing!

[@victorkirima1050]

Really enjoyed this episode Shout out to Marcus and all the people telling their food stories.

[@K1k05]

Excellent...😋

[@DorothyDanso-lt2ez]

Thank you, Chef Samuelson for not letting them steal our peanut butter soup!😂

[@DavidLoveJanet]

Thank you PBS!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Teach_1ne]

13:30 not chewing the food would be rough for me to overcome. That’s fascinating

[@celestecredle2661]

Marcus is adorable 🥰! My boy be dressing anyhow! (Excuse my "Ebonics")l really like him as a host, his energy, is infectious. I've learned a lot from his show!

[@tarynlowery4570]

I’m so proud watching this!!

[@samleo75]

Mannish water is one of my favs.

[@amitlegare7]

Just love this show. Thanks for highlighting foods you dont typically see on other shows.

[@jessicafeldheim7542]

I really enjoyed watching you have such an amazing time with your friends from Houston.

[@sabrinamoss1664]

I absolutely love these episodes!

[@sandrae4912]

I love this episode. Love the Nigerian community ❤️. More reasons for me to visit, even move to Houston. Just one thing suya comes from the Hausa people or tribe. "Hausas" are not limited to Nigeria but are indegenous in large numbers in the Northern part of Cameroon & few other countries where they also make suya. Pepper 🌶 soup is also indegenous to Cameroon, Congo, Liberia etc. As a kid, the real "riz senegalais' is originally from senegal & spread out. I remember that as a kid & im not even Senegalese. The way it's cooked varies for each country but close. Cameroon closely copies Senegalese rice w I think is the best honestly. Just to say all of these countries share similar dishes & ingredients. I would have liked to see more of the vegetables. I wish someone would actually go to these West African, Central African countries & do a deep dive into the food as what we see here is just the surface. There are so many other delicious dishes & vegetables yet I always see a few. I'm proud my brothers are doing well though. Shout out to the Nigerian community. You guys are doing a great job 👍🏽.

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree2493]

Thank you as a Liberian, we are often overlooked with our cuisine, We also have pepper soup, but Liberia was not “ founded” by slaves it was a place of re-settlement for enslaved Africans who were not able to return to their native countries. We are know as the Pepper coast or grain coast. We have 16 indigenous tribes who have their own food culture and language! There has to be more communication about West Africa and the truthful context about it! Again, thanks for shouting out Liberia! ❤

[@sandrae4912]

@thetruthwillsetyoufree2493 Thank you. I think we ourselves don't know our history. All those areas were one continuous continent before it was divided into different parts by British, French, Portuguese etc. so it's normal that we should have similar foods not restricted to our borders. Specific tribes may live in diff countries e.g Bantu, Hausa. We have a rich culinary culture that needs to be studied more especially based on indegenous tribes. There are a lot of cuisines I still don't see in mainstream Media & don't even appear in documentaries. I used to have a very good Liberian friend I still keep in touch with. Bless you ! 🙏🏽

[@fobaakom4794]

This is such a joy-filled, wholesome episode. Thank you❤

[@Kamau2012]

This one of the best I've seen. I'm a Kenyan in London but I'm touched deeply because living abroad is a strange experience...

[@mr.mr.4772]

Wish I could have made this year's festival in Sugarland.

[@sharinaross1865]

What stopped you from going this year?

[@mr.mr.4772]

@@sharinaross1865 work, couldn’t schedule off.

[@kavachiu2616]

It was amazing

[@KenyannyaWilcox]

I enjoyed learning and seeing the various culture influenced / enriched restaurants in Houston, Texas. I was smiling as I was watching the entire episode…Now I must take a trip and stay for a few days to visit each place. Thank for the visual experience. It was wonderful

[@Eliburgo]

I'm capeverdian but I grew up eating ceebu jen its absolutely delicious Senegalese food is 👏

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

This is a fantastic tour of West Africa in Houston. Thank you! ❤

[@ryanamari2233]

I remember the Ethiopian episode he filmed in DC and how close some of these places are to my home … definitely on my food list to try The music of Africa is sung through food … The sliminess is the draw they spoke off

[@oodo2908]

Johnny Rhodes is awesome. And how humble.

[@kelemeworkd-jb9tm]

Marcus, thank you for sharing all cultures. like you always food connct us. from Ethiopia ❤ God bless all people 🙏

[@Atemij]

Peanut soup is a staple food in the northern part of nigeria. It’s not only Ghanaian and it’s prepared differently.

[@davidsanders7211]

Thsmk you everyone who shared they knowledge of good and food restaurants. We're there originally from different places in the world,spices. Thank you David Sanders

[@sholasholknb9199]

Nigeria 🇳🇬 to the world, nice video

[@hiyahiy]

Great Job Marcus putting West African food on the map

[@BloomingRose60]

"Egusi for yo body ooo!" ❤❤❤ Htownnn! My hometown!

[@giawinters]

Thee best episode so far!

[@saraw7050]

This is such a beautifully told story. I have more of an appreciation the Nigerian and West African immigrant story here in America. I am absolutely appreciative of how African Americans, West Africans and America are connected was a main theme in the episode. I'm making plans on how I can experience the food, people and events highlighted in this video. This was very well done.

[@tosinkingjames9892]

Great foods. Great stories. Great presentation. And the love that is authentic African. Great job!

[@MajorrBison]

We just manage the Suya that we eat in the west. The mallams do it best in nigeria, looks different smell different taste different. Nice