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    Jodeem African Cuisine

    4.3 (128 reviews)
    ModerateAfrican
    Open 1:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Order Jodeem African Cuisine Takeout or Delivery

    Jodeem African Cuisine Photos

    JODEEM AFRICAN CUISINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Jodeem African Cuisine

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    Not a huge food of Nigerian food outside of my house but jodeem has made me a believer. The food is amazing the jollof the rice and stew the chicken everything is so flavorful and seasoned well. Their spinach is so good truly nothing that I can complain about I love everything from here. The owners are so sweet and they are always working and supporting each other. Probably the best Nigerian food in the dmv area

    Porridge yam (Asaro) with chicken & greens
    Andrew P.

    Passed by this place sooo many times walking through the mall, but I never stopped in... until now! There are a few tables and a big menu outside the restaurant itself, so I took a minute to look at that. I decided to get the porridge yam (Asaro) with chicken and greens. It took about 20 minutes, so I decided to run to the gym and get a quick workout in while waiting. It took another minute or so when I got back, but the staff were very friendly and apologetic for the wait! They showed me the food before putting it in the bag. I got very excited! I got home, started a movie and dug in. The chicken and greens were good, but the Asaro was DEFINITELY the star of the show. So very flavorful and satisfying! My only wish is that there was more of the porridge itself! I could have an entire bowl of that alone! I will definitely be back to Jodeem to try more menu items.

    Curried goat skin, fat and gristle.
    Opal V.

    This place is inside the Greenbelt Plaza Mall next to a Super Beauty store. I came to this location because of the good reviews and it was close. I was in the mood for Egusi soup with fufu. My son wanted curried goat. The service was ok from a store of this level. The Egusi was good...like Nigerian fast food good. Not great. The curried goat was flavored well but hardly any meat. It was almost entirely skin, fat, bone and gristle. I showed this to the servant and asked him for some actual meat. He brought me more skin, fat and gristle. WTH. Needless to say that I won't be back. I will stick with the place that I know to be great Nigerian food. It's further away but consistently great food

    Jessica A.

    I'm always pleased with everything I try at this restaurant. Simply delicious. As a non-Nigerian who loves Nigerian food, I'm so glad Jodeem is available for whenever I'm craving Nigerian jollof. I paired the jollof with fried fish in stew and a side of cooked spinach. This is my usual go-to when I order from them. They have not deviated from the quality of their food over the years, and I have to give it up to them for that.

    Egusi soup
    Shani L.

    Jodeem is located in Beltway Plaza Mall (destined for the same fate as, The Landmark Mall in Alexandria), before Bethesda-based Quantum Companies, might change things up and potentially push Latino and African immigrants business owners out. So, before that happens run and try Jodeem's yummy African cuisine that rivals DC's Bukom Cafe. With a focus on providing good value and old-fashioned service. I'm hooked. My go to is always pepper soup and Egusi stew. Pepper Soup- Aromatic, intensely flavored with bitter, sweet and somewhat herby broth with some astringency. Oh and tender goat. They served it frozen so I could enjoy it fresh the next day. Egusi- A West African Classic, enjoyed in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroon. Egusi is a wild member of the gourd family, with very dry skin and bitter flesh. It's not so well known by Westerners- unlike our other famous peanut stew or tomato stew. This could be attributed to the star ingredient but I highly recommend you get in your car and drive to this uninspired strip mall and try it. You will also find Fufu (Foofoo), Banku, Kenkey and Garii (gari) which are served alongside soups and stews. Many dishes with Spinach, Bitters and Bologie or fish and meat with palm oil and groundnut. You will see plenty of beans, fried patties (try the fish) and tomatoes. Don't worry, the menu is like a picture book. So order away and try something new. Con- watch the break down of the tendons in the meat. It's easy to over cook goat. Pro- free parking, portions, price and taste

    Old, hard and chewy
    Dee G.

    I really hate to write this because for a while this has been my go-to carryout to satisfy my taste buds for African cuisine. So today I ordered #10 from the menu, the Cassava Leaves with rice and chicken and a side of spinach. On Sundays they open at 1pm. I arrived about an hour after they opened thinking I would receive a FRESH meal. Well lets just say it was not. The rice was good as usual. The spinach exceptional as usual. But that chicken was very questionable. I can tell fresh from old and that chicken was OLD. It was hard and chewy. And this is not the first time I have received OLD chicken. I must say the owner and food servers are really nice. This place has always looked clean. So I am on the fence as to when and if I will return. I have also ordered the Egusi Soup, it was delish and I never had a problem with how it was prepared. Very fresh. Just be prepared to ask when the chicken was actually cooked.

    three trays of food
    Angela D.

    I would give them more stars if I could. The food is AMAZING!! I ordered the Curry Goat and my wife ordered the Curry Chicken. We also got a side of plantains. The meat and seasonings were wonderful. The sides consisted of greens, and two different types of rice. We were unsure on what to order so he let us try it first. Go check it out you will not be disappointed.

    Grilled tilapia
    Chioma O.

    Their food is delicious! I had the grilled whole fish with plantains. My kids had the jollof rice with curried goat meat. My husband had pounded yam with bangs soup. Food came out on time and all nice and hot. So much food, had leftovers!

    Stew fish, spinach and beans..
    Candace T.

    Yay! I finally didn't run straight home and dive in without getting a picture of my meal. So, without further ado - - here's my review of my beloved Jodeem African Restaurant. I don't live within 30 minutes of the restaurant but I am a frequent customer because the food is AMAZING! It's called Jodeem African restaurant, it's more of a carry out inside of a strip mall, you can choose to carry out or they'll make you a plate to eat there and you can utilize the chairs and tables they have outside of their store front and inside their store. The food is set up behind the glass buffet style (some items are made to order though so you may experience a small wait time). You tell the owner or his wife what you want and they make your plate. Everyone is very friendly. They will gladly answer questions, make suggestions, and allow you to sample things . Enjoy!

    Jollof rice, stewed fish, stewed chicken, plantain, spinach, and puff puff!

    For Mother's Day we surprised my mom with dinner. I called Jodeem ahead of time and was told to call just the day before! I called two days before lol placed my order and picked it up Mother's Day! We ordered stewed fish, stewed chicken, puff puff, spinach, plantain and jollof rice. Everything was delicious!! My mom took the left over food home too and really enjoyed it. My go to place for a quick dish when we don't feel like cooking!!! I have had the egusi soup, and meat pies before also which are also delicious.

    Spicy fish. Rice. Spinach
    Gregory B.

    I'm not familiar enough with African cuisine to know if this is authentic or not, but I'm going to to assume it is, judging by the amount of bones in my fish. I got fish, rice, and spinach. My meal was tasty. It didn't take me to the 3rd heaven, but I'll give an extra star for the helpful customer service and cool music.

    Egusi Soup

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    The food was outstanding and the service excellent. 5 stars!!! We had the jollof, chicken and spinach. I have no complaints!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Amaka A.

    Amaka A.

    We are very grateful you had this experience. Thank you!!

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    I've been here once and I can't stop coming literally... I love their soups :) Delicious

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Jodeem African Cuisine

    Do they sell Gift cards?

    No we don't have such provision now and thanks for asking

    Do you offer catering? How can i get more info on the prices for catering that i can order and pick up.

    Yes we do,you can call 3013564150

    Can I order and have it delivered at home?

    Yes you can do that through uber eat

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    UberEats review…read more Service: given the distance of the restaurant, the order took a bit long but it was packaged well so nothing spilled and the food was still still fresh and warm. Dish: I ordered the spice wings with a side of jollof rice and spinach Efo-Riro. OMG! So let's start with the wings, the flavor on these wings were the right balance between rich spices and touch of sweetness. There was a hint of honey lingering on my tongue after it was greeted by a strong spicy flavor. Adding to this, the wings were fried to perfection with crispy skin resting on the top and smooth white meat down to the bone. AMAZING! The jollof rice was stellar! And while I do not know much about the perfect preparation for this dish to review if this is the best, I've had a few from various West African countries and can say that this one had that grainy texture with just the right spices mixed in. The spinach efo-riro was SO good. I honestly could have had a plate of this by itself and my taste buds would still be pleased. Overall, this place is very generous with their serving sizes. Well portioned, beautifully prepared, seasoned to perfection, and a sure trip down culture lane! I enjoyed it so much.

    I tried the salmon with jollof rice and spinach. I'd always wanted to try it, but I'm not sure I…read moreliked it. The spinach tasted frozen, and the seasoning was way too overpowering. I probably wouldn't go back. Customer service was good. when I called the woman that answered was very nice and attentive to my questions .

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    Swahili Village - Grilled Goat / Mbuzi Bites (No Sides) Jollof Rice

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    Stopped by Swahili Village with a group of five after taking a pottery class at Moonlight Studios…read morenearby and it turned out to be the perfect way to end the evening. It's only about a five minute drive away, so the location worked out great. This was everyone's first time trying Kenyan food and we were all blown away. The flavors were rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. We ordered several appetizers to share and then entrees including the salmon, oxtail, goat, and snapper. Everything at the table was delicious. Our server Diamond was wonderful. She was warm, helpful, and really guided us through the menu since we were new to the cuisine. Her service made the experience even better. Such a great introduction to Kenyan food and a really fun group dinner. We will absolutely be coming back.

    Several reviews were mixed for Swahili Village so we decided to give it a try. Stopped in the Rhode…read moreIsland location. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Started with a Margarita cocktail which was $16.00 and terrible. Low grade tequila and store bought margarita sour mix. Service was very slow and one of the mangers was drinking and having a long conversation with the bartender. We decided to try the Jollof Rice and Suya bites. The rice was very bland. The Suya had some flavor but seemed to be missing something. I decided to take the leftovers home but unfortunately the Suya bites got very hard overnight so were not enjoyable the next day. Since eating out is pricey you may want to choose a different restaurant to try.

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    Jolloff Etcetera

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    Ah ah so THIS is what we are doing now in the DMV? A whole WEST AFRICAN BUFFET??…read more Listen ehn, I have been to Jollof Etc before for regular dinner so I already knew the standard of food there is not play play. But seeing them attempt this buffet concept for Valentine's Day, Easter Sunday (when I went), and now again for Mother's Day this Sunday? I actually respect the initiative Everybody is always shouting rubbish this ____, and rubbish that ___ meanwhile OUR OWN cultural foods are sitting right here in Silver Spring looking delicious and full of flavor. When I say all the staples were THERE, I mean THEY WERE THERE Amala Moi moi Pepper soup Jollof rice Fried rice Everything hot, fresh, flavorful and tasting like somebody's mother entered that kitchen with warning And can we discuss the drinks please?? Non alcoholic but SWEET, refreshing and pairing perfectly with all the food. Very family friendly atmosphere too. You can bring auntie, uncle, cousins, everybody Now let me tell the truth small because you know I don't lie for reviews The wait time? Hmmm. Table organization? They can improve that one too because people were kinda just standing around confused at moments. BUT no wahala this is still a new venture for them and honestly I can already see the vision. The most important thing for me? Their service was AMAZING and they accepted feedback very well instead of doing attitude. That part matters. I actually want to see this succeed because we need more innovative African food experiences in the DMV that push our cuisine to the forefront instead of acting like only tacos and burgers exist outside Jollof Etc Silver Spring, Maryland

    Terrible service. No greeting, rude staff, and $32 for mostly rice with only three tiny pieces of…read moremeat. Not worth it!

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    It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't the best. I've personally had better Senegalese food than this…read more The service wasn't that great either. I ordered the: Fataya Beef 5/5 Tiebou Dine White, Wékh (fish & broken rice) 3.5/5 Dibi (jollof & lamb) 3.5/5 Cassava Leaf 3.5/5 Juices hibiscus and ginger 5/5 Overall I'll keep trying other African spots. This won't be my top pick. The price was like $24.99 for each entree and I feel like you can get other nicer restaurants in the area for better pricing and quality. Coming from one West African to another. The food doesn't have any spice a mild flavor. They give you pepper sauce on the side. The ambiance is very casual!

    I finally found the wild fruit I was missing for decades. Senegalese call it maad and Gambians call…read moreit Kaba. Its seeds that's seasoned with salt and pepper, but they over charge for it, yes I bought one, but it was so small, I was shocked, and that explains probably why it doesn't sell as much. The next snack was the mango seasoned with salt and pepper, that was awesome, and the size was great as well. I also ordered cheb-jann but the rice was overwhelming seasoned with that dried fish or stuff that gives it a tangy taste and a unique aroma. The fish and veggies were perfect. Now, the grilled lamb wasn't as great, the lamb wasn't tender and there was no taste to it. Even though they claimed to have seasoned it, I couldn't taste any seasoning. But their fataya is the absolute best. The way they make it, soft, tender, filled with seasoned meaty sauce. Yummy.

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    Extremely disappointing experience at Jollof Etcetera…read more My coworkers and I visited today at 11:30a during our lunch break. Despite the restaurant advertising that it opens at 10a, the lone employee on duty appeared completely unprepared and disorganized. She could not clearly explain the menu or pricing, and it took an excessive amount of time just to place basic food and drink orders. The situation only got worse. Drinks were handed to us still in the can, and one contained a visible piece of hair. The same employee repeatedly touched her hair while handling food, which was unsettling enough. But, the final straw was when she delivered the pepper sauce and stuck her THUMB directly into it, then still charged us for that same sauce. As for the food: the jollof rice was undercooked, the beef was dry and overcooked, and overall the meal was not worth the nearly $30 per person we paid. When we asked for to-go boxes so we wouldn't completely waste our money, we were given absurdly tiny containers that couldn't even hold half the food. What should have been a 30-60 minute lunch break turned into a 2-hour ordeal. We work in the area and make a point to support local businesses, but this experience was unsanitary, inefficient, and frustrating from start to finish. We will absolutely not be returning, and cannot recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick, clean, or professionally run lunch spot.

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    Flora's Restaurant - Cassava Leaf

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    As a DMV African restaurant connoisseur, I take pride in discovering spots I've never heard of. So…read moreimagine my surprise driving past Flora Restaurant, a place that has apparently existed for over 20 years, and I had no idea it was there. Naturally, I had to stop in for lunch, especially since I've been wanting to try cassava leaves for the first time. Let's start with the space. The decor is simple, small, and honestly a bit dated. Very much giving 90s era gaudy with a slideshow playing above the bar highlighting the owner's credentials and accomplishments. Not terrible, just... okayyyy. Now let's get into the experience. When I walked in, there was NO ONE there to greet me. No host. No server. Nothing. I sat alone for a full 10 minutes. Completely alone. Eventually, I heard movement in the back and had to call out for someone. The owner finally came forward. I recognized her from the slideshow. She told me she saw me enter... which immediately made me wonder: why didn't you greet me then? Customer service was essentially nonexistent. My presence felt more like an interruption than a welcomed potential customer. She explained she was finishing a large catering order, which I can respect, but acknowledgment costs nothing. I asked what type of African restaurant it was, which somehow seemed to offend her. Instead of simply answering, she directed me to her slideshow and began referencing her international training and experience. For context, Africa is a continent, not a country. Asking for clarification is a normal question. I told her I had read good reviews and was excited to try cassava leaves for the first time. I asked if the dish was spicy. She responded, "All African food is spicy." That is simply not true. She then said the cassava leaves might be too spicy for me. I asked if I could taste a small sample to see if I could tolerate the spice. She refused and said she doesn't give samples. At that point, I expressed that I had specifically stopped in because I was excited to try something new. Instead of meeting that curiosity with warmth, she continued emphasizing how long her restaurant has been open and how it outlasted the business next door. Impressive longevity, yes. But hospitality matters. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to try the food. The interaction left me feeling more like a nuisance than a guest. As much as I wanted that cassava leaves experience, the cocky energy and lack of basic customer service made it hard to stay. So, no food review this time. Just an experience review. Will I return... for the plot? Closure? Maybe. Because one thing about me, I will find out if that cassava leaves is worth the attitude.

    I loved the food here, it reminds me of back home. The guy was helpful and nice. Even gave me a…read morebowl to try some of my food before I went home. I will definitely come back and try the rest of the menu. Price is actually better than some places I've been to.

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    Flora's Restaurant - Walking inside...

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    Menu

    Jodeem African Cuisine - african - Updated May 2026

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