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I came here for a pickup order after wanting to try this place for a while. It was delicious and I'll definitely be back. The burger patty was nice and crispy on the outside and all the toppings were really fresh. Need to go back and try some other items on the menu. The man who gave me my order was super friendly too.
Went to this spot after seeing it buzzing on social media and I had to try it because this place had a few things going for them that included being black owned, local and I'm trying to explore my palate whilst laying off the meat. I went there on the best day too JUNETEENTH and much to my surprise the shop was running a special offer BOGO of their signature Akara Burger! The store is small and it is probably best to buy your food to go but, there is a small eating area outside if you wanted to chill. Met the owner who was working that day and he told me his amazing origin story of how the burger was made and how much of an awesome cook his mother was. This food is very much a part of his childhood that he made his own for the people of Bk to enjoy. Go here!!!
A love letter to American fast food, through a distinctly and thoughtfully Nigerian lens. Forgot to take a picture of my first visit because I wolfed down the veggie burger so quickly. Second visit was just as revelatory. I kept getting this vegetal freshness - almost like a cilantro or aji verde - but couldn't place it. It was a ballet of hot, crispy, sour, umami, crunch, vegetables, carbs. Amazing. A good veggie burger is hard. A new one made from something that isn't soy or imitation meat, a traditional Nigerian dish (akara) but deep fried and presented as a new dish? Something special. This is my new favorite lunch on Nostrand. If you haven't tried it - go. It's something special.
Let it be said here first, that Akara House is serving what I now consider to be the number one veggie burger in New York City! Akara is a Nigerian black-eyed pea fritter (also shared with a few other West African and Caribbean cuisines) that here has been transformed into the centerpiece of a magnificent veggie burger. If you have ever enjoyed an Indian vada pav, the akara serves as a marvelous substitute for the potato patty with a natural breadiness that is satisfying to bite into without the flavor notes of meat substitutes that make some of us vegetarians uncomfortable. The entire affair is served in a bun with cheese and absolutely must be paired with the not-too-spicy red sauce that is made from ginger, garlic, and a few other secret house ingredients. Seating is limited but available.
Great wonderful food Clean food if you are trying to stay away from meat or dairy but still want a great meal Wonderful service from the owner, very friendly and cozy environment as a local business Definitely would recommend to the neighbor Get desert from Island Pop up the same sidewalk after your meal
Stop 2 of a 5 stop culinary tour of the Crown Heights neighborhood was Akara House. I had seen it on Yelp and knew it would be just right. The owner was extremely nice and helped us make our selections. I knew that I wanted the Akara (bean fritters) and I also chose Akara House because they also had Suya beef. Two Nigerian classic dishes under one roof. We also got glasses of his homemade lemonade. Perfect flavor with a hint of bitterness coming from the actual citrus fruit. First thing that came out was the Suya beef with Jollof rice. The beef is marinated in a sauce that includes peanuts and was very tender and flavorful. The jollof rice had wonderful texture and nice flavor as well. The highlight was the Akara, the owner indicated that he'd been perfecting them for two years. We could taste the pride. We ate them at optimal temperature because we enjoyed sitting in the two available seats at the front of the restaurant. They were perfect fritters, somehow being both light and substantial at the same time. The whole meal also went great with the freshly made hot sauce. All of it went well with a great conversation about Nigerian politics, fiction, and his experience in the Crown Heights neighborhood. Certainly wishing him the best because this is the type of business we need more of!
First time trying an akara fritter & it was absolutely delicious! I got the "Made in Lagos" sandwich and the flavors meshed so well together. I'm always looking for new vegetarian dishes to try and this was definitely a winner. The fries are also so crispy and fried to perfection. The owner was really nice and they are accommodating if you want to make any changes to the sandwich. Definitely worth a try!
Akara House is a solid choice for quick bites. The Made in Lagos burger was a highlight, and the Jollof rice with fritters and Kale salad were tasty. Friendly staff, the owner also shared egusi samples for us to try. The place is bit small however fast service rounded out an overall good experience.
Akara House is IT. Trust me, I'm Nigerian. I decided to stop in on Saturday (Feb. 3) afternoon after coming across Akara House via the Righteous Eats YT channel the day before. For those unfamiliar with akara, it's a popular Nigerian street food made from ground black-eyed peas, onions, and spices, deep-fried into fritters. When considering vegetarian burgers, our minds often gravitate towards black beans, mushrooms, or alternative meat substitutes. Owner Funso Akinya (who was chatty and friendly) had the idea to use akara as a patty in a vegetarian burger -- a creative fusion, if you ask me. I didn't know what to expect. I have had tons of akara but never on a bun with creamy mayo, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, cheese, and cucumbers. It slaps! All of the additions complemented the flavorful akara patty well. I'm a fan. Can't have a burger without fries so I also ordered suya-dusted fries. A spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming but felt. I also got moi moi (made from Nigerian honey beans), and again, flavor punch. I wanna note that the moi moi was wrapped in a banana leaf. An authentic detail I loved. It's pretty cool to witness the erection of several Nigerian restaurants around Brooklyn. I believe Akara House is the only plant based one so all my vegan and vegetarian heads, this place is for you. Lemme tell you, as a carnivore, I will definitely return.
I ordered the double akara burger for takeout on a weekday afternoon. I'm glad I went for the double, since each burger is on the small side. (Like a big slider.) The burgers were tasty - they came with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, mayo, and pickled cucumbers. The red sauce/pickled vegetables on the side was great as well. I do wish the akara patty itself had a little more flavor. With everything else on the burger it was really good, but I don't think patty alone would have done much for me. Looking forward to coming back to try some sides!
My Joloff rice with chicken bowl and plantains was my first Nigerian meal ever . The food is packed with seasonings and spices . I mean packed ! The chicken was also super spicy . The meal came with some greens and they surely could've used a dressing that balanced out some of the spiciness which I didn't see. The couple plantains I added were super necessary to any meal and I added my own slice of avocado at home like a typical Californian . The best part of the meal was the joloff rice itself. I could eat the rice all day. My overall meal was good and I give it its respect but it's not something I can be a fan of. The spicy ness and over seasoning is just too much to deal with .
1 year ago
I came on a rainy day right at 11:30am when they open, and the owner was still getting things ready but kindly offered to rush my veggie sandwich order. Unfortunately that meant the bread got the microwave treatment instead of proper defrosting and toasting. If you've ever tried microwaved frozen bread, you know the texture I'm describing. The crispy honey bean (akara) burger itself was quite tasty. The patty had a crispy exterior and creamy bean paste interior, dressed up with vegan cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. It's a nice alternative for vegetarians who dislike fake meat substitutes. They don't purport the beans taste like anything but beans. The jollof rice completed the meal. It had a rich tomato base with great depth of flavor that made everything feel more substantial. The owner was genuinely sweet about the whole rushed situation, and based on reviews, I know this is the kind of place that shines under normal circumstances. This is primarily a takeout spot with a few high-top tables by the window if you want to eat in. I'd definitely give it another shot during regular operating hours when they're not scrambling to accommodate early birds. read more
STEPH JUDGEMENT: A unique vegan fast food experience. I'd read about them in the New Yorker and was intrigued. A vegan Nigerian fast food joint in Brooklyn? Why not! We'd never had Nigerian food but were game to try. We took a bus to a decidedly unglamorous part of town, to a humble storefront with a couple of small outdoor tables. Inside was very small, with just some bar seating by the window and a bench. We were a bit early for the lunch rush, so had the place to ourselves. The nice owner came out to greet us and take our order. The hubby ordered the Classic Akara Burger, which was their signature deep fried honey bean fritter patty on a bun with tomato, lettuce, cucumbers and vegan mayo. It was good but a bit bland. My Oyster Mushroom Wrap with bean fritter pieces and veggies had more zip, courtesy of their Nigerian red sauce, and was quite sizable--I really enjoyed it. It was a very hot day and they had no AC inside (just fans) so we opted to eat at one the outside tables, which turned out to be much cooler and quite pleasant. If you're vegan/vegetarian or just curious about what Nigerian flavors are like, I'd say it's very much worth a try. read more
Very tasty special croquette sandwich, I have to say, instead of plant base hamburger. I love it. Beaitifullly, meticulously made with love of food and pride. I read a burger article of NYT on Sep 11, 2024 and this burger, named "vegetarian burger" was one of them and I always wanted to try what "vegetarian burger" means. I was curious how "the hamburger" tastes similar to meat regular burger. Wrong! It is not a imitated meat. It is a totally diffeent concept. It is a croquette sandwich! They make this croquette from special Nigerian beans and eat with fresh veggies(tomato, lettuce, pickles) plus mayo and cheese on bread. Tasted super good and crunchy and actually gave me a lot of energy. I worked out so well, more than usual. Good carbohydrates. The owner, Funso, has visions and love for food. His food shows that. A problem is that this small shop is so hard to go in the remote area for some neighborhood and has a space for a minimum function of selling with a eating stand like fast food. With this wondeful vision and good food, in even a small space, if they can create a special space that people come even from far to enjoy time with their food, it will be great. But this burger is mainly only for people to take out or deliver in the neighborhood. I cannot find a reason to travel far because the shop itself doesn't have the enjoyment element other than the food (zero enjoying the dining function) . Even some of playa bowls chain shops have cute setting and seating area so that we can travel and have good time with the good acai bowl. I do hope mote people can enjoy this yummy sandwich. I suggested a truck operation. Let's see how they will develope their operation. read more
I came here for a pickup order after wanting to try this place for a while. It was delicious and I'll definitely be back. The burger patty was nice and crispy on the outside and all the toppings were really fresh. Need to go back and try some other items on the menu. The man who gave me my order was super friendly too. read more
Went to this spot after seeing it buzzing on social media and I had to try it because this place had a few things going for them that included being black owned, local and I'm trying to explore my palate whilst laying off the meat. I went there on the best day too JUNETEENTH and much to my surprise the shop was running a special offer BOGO of their signature Akara Burger! The store is small and it is probably best to buy your food to go but, there is a small eating area outside if you wanted to chill. Met the owner who was working that day and he told me his amazing origin story of how the burger was made and how much of an awesome cook his mother was. This food is very much a part of his childhood that he made his own for the people of Bk to enjoy. Go here!!! read more
3 years ago
A love letter to American fast food, through a distinctly and thoughtfully Nigerian lens. Forgot to take a picture of my first visit because I wolfed down the veggie burger so quickly. Second visit was just as revelatory. I kept getting this vegetal freshness - almost like a cilantro or aji verde - but couldn't place it. It was a ballet of hot, crispy, sour, umami, crunch, vegetables, carbs. Amazing. A good veggie burger is hard. A new one made from something that isn't soy or imitation meat, a traditional Nigerian dish (akara) but deep fried and presented as a new dish? Something special. This is my new favorite lunch on Nostrand. If you haven't tried it - go. It's something special. read more
Let it be said here first, that Akara House is serving what I now consider to be the number one veggie burger in New York City! Akara is a Nigerian black-eyed pea fritter (also shared with a few other West African and Caribbean cuisines) that here has been transformed into the centerpiece of a magnificent veggie burger. If you have ever enjoyed an Indian vada pav, the akara serves as a marvelous substitute for the potato patty with a natural breadiness that is satisfying to bite into without the flavor notes of meat substitutes that make some of us vegetarians uncomfortable. The entire affair is served in a bun with cheese and absolutely must be paired with the not-too-spicy red sauce that is made from ginger, garlic, and a few other secret house ingredients. Seating is limited but available. read more
2 years ago
Great wonderful food Clean food if you are trying to stay away from meat or dairy but still want a great meal Wonderful service from the owner, very friendly and cozy environment as a local business Definitely would recommend to the neighbor Get desert from Island Pop up the same sidewalk after your meal read more
Stop 2 of a 5 stop culinary tour of the Crown Heights neighborhood was Akara House. I had seen it on Yelp and knew it would be just right. The owner was extremely nice and helped us make our selections. I knew that I wanted the Akara (bean fritters) and I also chose Akara House because they also had Suya beef. Two Nigerian classic dishes under one roof. We also got glasses of his homemade lemonade. Perfect flavor with a hint of bitterness coming from the actual citrus fruit. First thing that came out was the Suya beef with Jollof rice. The beef is marinated in a sauce that includes peanuts and was very tender and flavorful. The jollof rice had wonderful texture and nice flavor as well. The highlight was the Akara, the owner indicated that he'd been perfecting them for two years. We could taste the pride. We ate them at optimal temperature because we enjoyed sitting in the two available seats at the front of the restaurant. They were perfect fritters, somehow being both light and substantial at the same time. The whole meal also went great with the freshly made hot sauce. All of it went well with a great conversation about Nigerian politics, fiction, and his experience in the Crown Heights neighborhood. Certainly wishing him the best because this is the type of business we need more of! read more
First time trying an akara fritter & it was absolutely delicious! I got the "Made in Lagos" sandwich and the flavors meshed so well together. I'm always looking for new vegetarian dishes to try and this was definitely a winner. The fries are also so crispy and fried to perfection. The owner was really nice and they are accommodating if you want to make any changes to the sandwich. Definitely worth a try! read more
2 years ago
Akara House is a solid choice for quick bites. The Made in Lagos burger was a highlight, and the Jollof rice with fritters and Kale salad were tasty. Friendly staff, the owner also shared egusi samples for us to try. The place is bit small however fast service rounded out an overall good experience. read more
Akara House is IT. Trust me, I'm Nigerian. I decided to stop in on Saturday (Feb. 3) afternoon after coming across Akara House via the Righteous Eats YT channel the day before. For those unfamiliar with akara, it's a popular Nigerian street food made from ground black-eyed peas, onions, and spices, deep-fried into fritters. When considering vegetarian burgers, our minds often gravitate towards black beans, mushrooms, or alternative meat substitutes. Owner Funso Akinya (who was chatty and friendly) had the idea to use akara as a patty in a vegetarian burger -- a creative fusion, if you ask me. I didn't know what to expect. I have had tons of akara but never on a bun with creamy mayo, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, cheese, and cucumbers. It slaps! All of the additions complemented the flavorful akara patty well. I'm a fan. Can't have a burger without fries so I also ordered suya-dusted fries. A spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming but felt. I also got moi moi (made from Nigerian honey beans), and again, flavor punch. I wanna note that the moi moi was wrapped in a banana leaf. An authentic detail I loved. It's pretty cool to witness the erection of several Nigerian restaurants around Brooklyn. I believe Akara House is the only plant based one so all my vegan and vegetarian heads, this place is for you. Lemme tell you, as a carnivore, I will definitely return. read more
I ordered the double akara burger for takeout on a weekday afternoon. I'm glad I went for the double, since each burger is on the small side. (Like a big slider.) The burgers were tasty - they came with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, mayo, and pickled cucumbers. The red sauce/pickled vegetables on the side was great as well. I do wish the akara patty itself had a little more flavor. With everything else on the burger it was really good, but I don't think patty alone would have done much for me. Looking forward to coming back to try some sides! read more
My Joloff rice with chicken bowl and plantains was my first Nigerian meal ever . The food is packed with seasonings and spices . I mean packed ! The chicken was also super spicy . The meal came with some greens and they surely could've used a dressing that balanced out some of the spiciness which I didn't see. The couple plantains I added were super necessary to any meal and I added my own slice of avocado at home like a typical Californian . The best part of the meal was the joloff rice itself. I could eat the rice all day. My overall meal was good and I give it its respect but it's not something I can be a fan of. The spicy ness and over seasoning is just too much to deal with . read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
This is one of my favourite restaurants in all of NYC! Absolutely delicious food- always fresh, hot and tasty. The owner is really kind and genuine. Cute and informal, I just love it! read more
3 years ago
Delicious food! Had the Akara burger and suya seasoned fries, will be coming here on a weekly basis now :) very kind owner, was very helpful & chill vibes. The red sauce is a must, I would buy it if he sold it!!! read more
Decided to stop here with my mini me for a vegan lunch, and was absolutely surprised. The owner is there talking to patrons, which makes it very inviting. The spot is quaint but packs a flavor punch. There were no complaints as we will be back. The food never made it home. We ate it in the car..okay...good food!!!! read more
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this is no joke hidden nigerian gem in the heart of brooklyn. the sandwich is to die for.get two because the price is NOT pricey. all sandwiches and rice dishes are boomin' but the akara sandwich is AMAZING. i'm vegan so I get the sandwich with no mayo no cheese,just bun, patty, and pickle with this special Nigerian red hot sauce is ALL YOU NEED IN LIFE. LETS GO. and the lemonade is very refreshing. to top it off, the owner is so sweet and reminds me why I love to shop black owned food businesses. read more
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More info about Akara House
642 Nostrand Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Crown Heights
Directions
(929) 610-3732
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11 months ago
