I recently dined at Yendidi and I feel spiritually, emotionally, and culinarily changed. First of all, the atmosphere? Immaculate. It's the kind of place where you walk in thinking, "Oh nice," and walk out Googling how to recreate the lighting in your own living room. Cozy without being cramped. Trendy without making me feel like my shoes were judged. The food? Listen. I would like to publicly apologize to my taste buds for ever doubting them. Every bite tasted like the chef stood over the plate whispering, "You deserve this." Bold flavors, perfectly cooked, plated like it was about to audition for a food magazine. Now why four stars instead of five? Because I have trust issues. And also because the food came out so good I now have unrealistic expectations for every other meal I will ever eat. That feels like a burden I wasn't prepared to carry. Service was friendly, attentive, and didn't once make me feel bad for asking, "What's that?" three separate times. Water refills were prompt. Smiles were genuine. No one hovered. No one disappeared into the void. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Yes. Would I pretend I discovered it before it was cool? Also yes. Four stars. Only because if I give five, they might get too powerful. read more

Went here on a Saturday night because I was craving something filling and flavorful; the place thing that came to mind was Yendidi. I tried them before a long time ago and haven't had them recently, so I was really anticipating having them again. The ordering process was quick and easy, we used their computer screens to put our orders in. Not too bad of a wait for our food. The staff were very communicative on our food status while we were waiting, which I appreciated. My order included an Afro pie (7.5/10), I absolutely loved the sauce it came with, but I do feel like the meat inside and pie itself was dry. Sautéed green beans (10/10). Chicken Egusi soup w/ pounded yam (9/10), the flavors were amazing! I loved how savory it was; however, I do believe they switched the spice level of my soup with my sisters because I asked for none-little spice, yet my soup tasted like it was their highest spice level !! I had to keep taking breaks while eating because while it did taste really good, it was also so so spicy! I really did enjoy my meal, despite receiving the wrong spice level in my Egusi soup. I will def return again soon. My overall rate of experience : 8.6/10 read more

Yendidi Norfolk - Afro pie , Pounded Yam , Chicken Egusi soup , Sautéed String Beans - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I absolutely love this place. I will drive all the way here just for their food instead of places closer to me. I ordered the okra soup with cow foot, medium spicy with fufu. It came with another veggie side so I chose their version of collard greens that was seasoned with old bay. I also ordered another side of plantain fufu and a Bissap (hibiscus) drink. The soup was so good! The only issue is that the spicy was dried pepper seasoning clumped in the middle. So, some of my bites were spicy and others had no spice. I ordered it to go for ease, but ate some of it there before meeting friends for ladies night. I'm never disappointed with the food here. Something I noticed was that they had these plantains that I had before from Ghana, so I was excited to find them here locally. The young lady behind the counter/one of the cooks actually surprised me because she was Jamaican and spoke patois. We laughed because I'm like "Ariana, what are you doing here?" (Nicki voice) lol. She was mostly talking on the phone and didn't say much to me but no issues there. The Norfolk restaurant is small inside with maybe 3 tables total. The other side of the restaurant is a small grocery store. Parking is limited and awkward, especially if you have to make the u-turn coming from the opposite direction. read more

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I've eaten at YenDidi twice, and overall, it's a solid spot for delicious cuisine. The picture I'm sharing is of their Egusi soup. I ordered it with chicken, but I think this one had red snapper--still, it was absolutely delicious, and I would definitely order it again. Their jollof rice is also really good and flavorful. I also tried the chicken wings. They didn't taste very "honey" to me, but they were still decent and enjoyable. One thing to note: the food takes a long time to cook, but the upside is that it's fresh. If you're dining in or picking up, I'd recommend ordering at least an hour in advance, because even 30-45 minutes after ordering, your food might not be ready. Overall, if you're patient, Yen Didi is worth it for fresh, flavorful Nigerian dishes. read more

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This was my very first time trying African Cuisine and it was very rewarding! I had the Okra Egusi soup with pounded Yam. I was able to choose my preferred level of spice which was perfect. The Fufu is very soft and fulfilling. The cabbage was my favorite part of the meal it was seasoned wonderfully. Service was quick and well ordered. The shop it self also has a small market to buy food items from. I'll be back to try different variations of the soup and to purchase from the market. read more

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This was tasty ! Ordered our meal to go! I would have to try this place again with some different options. The food was hot and had some Kicking flavors read more

I advise you to check what you're buying, I bought expired cowbell milk from this store and they are yet to refund my money. I have been politely calling since last week and no tangible response. To crown it all, I was left on the call just now for more than 30 minutes with no response (the service associate said she was going to be back and never came back even though I could hear the background and everyone's voice) and when I tried to call back, it didn't go through. So apparently my line was blocked. Please do better, I was really patient and still am. God bless you and have a geeat day read more

If you go to the Norfolk location call before you order because they never have any food or vegetables. This is the 2nd time they could not fulfill my order and told me they only have broccoli which would take 15 mins to cook!! I will go to the Va Bch location from now on. read more

This is not exactly what I was expecting. It's more of a store/bodega that you can order takeout. I was expecting a restaurant based on some previous pictures. Ordering is from a self service kiosk but is pretty straightforward. I tried the spinach stew with fish and fufu. My friend had jollof rice and chicken suya. The only confusing part was we were never really sure when our order was ready. No one called out our number or brought food to the one of two tables in the shop. We had to check in with the counter attendant. My friends food had been sitting for awhile. My assumption is most people call in and pick up orders so they think all orders are call in. It was my first experience with fufu and it was interesting. I will try it again. The stew was so flavorful and spicy. The portions are huge so be prepared to eat. Overall a good place to get authentic African cuisine. read more

Food is awesome... Service is great... decent atmosphere.... I will definitely return... This will be my go to place

The food from Yendidi is absolutely amazing. Definitely recommend trying the Egusi soup.

This was my second time having African food and I was so happy that I chose Yendidi for dinner. I've always heard good things about this establishment and I wanted to try something I don't usually have. Upon entry, we were kindly greeted by staff and asked for dine in or carry out. We decided to dine in for the evening. For drinks we ordered the pineapple ginger juice which was absolutely delicious! Fair warning that the ginger flavor is very strong and acidic, but the pineapple flavor provided a balance of sweetness. For our appetizer we ordered the 4pc Yendidi wings which came out hot, crispy, and fresh. They were very tasty and had a nice smokiness to them. I wish there was some sweetness in the seasonings they used to balance some of the salt, but overall an outstanding wing! For my entree I ordered the Chicken Egusi Soup paired with Fufu and Plantains as well as a side of Jollof Rice. First and foremost, the portions were massive! The Egusi could feed 2-4 people on its own. The flavors are very mild in my opinion, but enjoyable. Pairing it with the Fufu amp'd up the taste as it added an extra element of texture. The Fufu was so hot I had to take small pieces of it and eat it really fast lol. I love the culture of eating the Egusi and Fufu with my hands because it made me feel more connected to the food I was eating. This was my first time trying Jollof Rice! The side portion was HUGE, I barely made a dent. The rice was fluffy, hot, and packed w that tomato flavor. I was expecting it to be a little spicy. Even though it wasn't, that didn't take away from how delicious it was! I could definitely see myself ordering that again and having it topped w grilled chicken. The Sweet Fried Plantains were my favorite! They had a perfect char and were to die for when paired w their house peanut sauce. I will order those every time without a doubt. My date ordered the Fried Oxtail Bowl w Veggies, yellow rice, and sweet potato fries. I had a bite of the oxtail and it was seasoned to perfection! The meat just broke away from the bone. The sweet potato fries were so yummy! I always appreciate a crispy sweet potato. Especially when I dipped it into the peanut sauce from the plantain! Must try. The only downside to the evening was that it took 30-40min to get our food but that's just the cost of getting delicious authentic home-inspired meals! If you're looking for something quick this may not be the place for you. All in all, the service was outstanding! I even enjoyed a conversation with the manager who showed genuine interest in our satisfaction of our experience. Thank you Yendidi! read more

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Server was amazing! She was working hard and made sure everyone had everything they needed. The food was so good I wish I lived here so i could come back! 10/10 read more

Yendidi Norfolk - Got the Beef Stew/Gravy, Pounded Yam, Cabbage Stew 10/10 - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I paid $34.50 for a few pieces of beef with spicy seasoning that did not taste anything like suya; felt ripped off. The spinach stew with boiled yam were okay. read more

First of all, great food! Really great food actually but service definitely needs a lot of help. We ordered a two meals and it took almost an hour. Next time, I would suggest ordering ahead and making sure you're not that hungry yet. They have an online ordering system so I would definitely do that next time. Food is also on the pricier side but it's quality food so that's not a big problem. read more

Yendidi Norfolk - Jollof Rice Bowl with Fried Chicken - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Yendidi Phenomenal. I was craving West African food, so I decided to check this place out on a work trip. I walked in greeted by the host and waiter, Solomon. Shoutout to him for keeping it fresh and classy with the suit. And he was very welcoming and friendly. I asked for what was more traditional Ghana cuisine, and he pointed me to the Joyful Jollof and the Waakye (Rice and Beans). I've had Jolloff before (it was amazing), so I decided to try the Waakye. To my surprise, he said that a drink is complimentary, so I got the Sobolo (Bissap Leaves) tea that had been brewing and circulating in one of those chicfila lemonade machines up front. It was very good - a little sweet and a little bitter. Then, he brought out complimentary Bofrot/Puff-Puff, which are African donuts, as he described them. These were like cake donuts balled up. They were good in and of themselves, but when paired with the honey that came with them - level up! The Waakye finally came out - best for last for sure. You can look at my photos for this post to see what this dish actually consists of. So many wonderful flavors here. It packed some heat for sure! The tomato stew was savory, spicy, with plenty of other rich flavors. Both the fish (mackerel I believe) and the beef paired very well with this sauce. The fish had a smoked/grilled consistency to it with great smoked flavors. The beef was really unique. It was cubed, but the outsides were dry and tough, while the inside was moist and soft. This was definitely intentional, and it made for a really unique combination of textures. Never had anything quite like this. The spicy black sauce was no joke. It had so many rich, savory flavors too and definitely some fish sauce and bits. Flavor explosion with spiciness dominating. You had to keep eating the mountain of red beans and rice and tart-ish cassava grounds to give your mouth a break from the heat. But it was all so, so good. The heat really hits you after you stop eating. And bonus - another complimentary dish. A chocolate cake that was very moist and delicious to finish it all off! All in all, if you want boring food, don't come here. If you want to challenge your taste buds, or just want to try something new, this is hands down the place! read more

Yendidi Norfolk - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This is my go to spot when I'm in the area. I got medium spicy and it was sooooo good!! Cleared my sinuses but I couldn't stop!! This location is now to go (there were a few tables but not for multiple guests). They are also starting to sell grocery items. I wanted the gari mix but they weren't ready to sell items quite yet. read more

Yendidi Norfolk - Egusi soup with chicken and fufu - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

They came on my timeline some time back and I always said whenever I am in the area I will check them out. Well that day came and I made a quick u turn to this restaurant. When I walked in, I can feel the vibe that I was in for a treat! The gentleman behind the counter is so kind and was patient walking me through the menu answering any questions that I had. I settled for the joliff rice, grilled mackerel, sweet plantain, grilled chicken and pineapple/ginger juice. Joliff rice- this was a tomato Basil sauce flavor. But the rice is like a nice dry texture so it's nothing wet. If that makes sense. Grilled mackerel- so meaty and full of flavor!! It was so delicious Grilled chicken - tender and packed with flavor. Well seasoned Sweet plantains - you already know Pineapple/Ginger juice- so yum! My favorite drink next to iced coffee and boba tea lol. Rich in flavor, made in house with a great balance of ginger and pineapple. I've been coming here for 4 weeks straight and get the same meal lol. I recommend everyone to check this place out! You won't regret it. read more

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We called to place and order yesterday evening and I have to say I was disappointed there was no egusi. However we ordered two jollof rice to go. This is a take-out (not a restaurant like the photo). We got a call about 35 minutes later that the food was ready. This was the most delicious jollof rice I have had in a very long time. The chips (definitely not "French" were well spiced), the dodo (fried plantain) was excellent and nice and ripe (should have ordered more!). We chose ginger and pineapple for our beverage and it was a little too sweet but we diluted it with water. The ginger and pinneaple were "correct". I look forward to coming back and will definitely order from them again. Excellent food, friendly staff. read more

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Had to pop in for some meat pies and puff puff. The dough was flaky and the meat filling was spicy which was perfect. The puff puff was a little on the over done side as it was browner than usual but still tasty. read more

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In Hampton Roads, choices for good African cuisine are few, far, and in-between, so when Yendidi popped up this past summer, it's no surprise that they quickly became popular. After having several foodie friends talk to me about this place, seeing them featured in The Virginian Pilot, and driving past to seeing lines out of the door, I just knew I had to get here and try the food here for myself. I've been here two times, both visits were pleasant, but I really enjoyed my most recent visit. First off, the pineapple ginger drink is very refreshing and a great way to cleanse the palette between courses (especially if you're ordering dishes with strong flavors). My friend and I shared an order of beef kyikyinga and got it with the highest level of spice. The beef was super tender and flavorful, and that spice ... baby, the owner Abena, came out and told us to be careful and to let us know if she had to bring something out to cut down on the spice. It cleared my sinuses right on up, and my friend turned red and started sweating, which made for a comical moment between us and the owner. It was a feat, but we were able to eat the whole thing. I would order it again but maybe at a milder spice level next time. Haha In addition, their cabbage stew, jollof rice, and fried plantains were all delicious as well. Between the amazing food, friendly staff, and personable owner, I will definitely be frequenting Yendidi more as time goes on. I wish them much success moving forward. read more

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This place is really good! I went with a group of about 8. The restaurant is cozy and I recently read that this location is moving to takeout only. When I went I tried the grilled chicken, rice and pineapple ginger drink. The chicken is super seasoned and delicious. It was also a really generous portion. The rice was fantastic as well. My favorite was the pineapple ginger drink! Just the right amount of ginger! The others in my group ordered stews and soups and we all enjoyed our dishes. I am eager to come back and try even more. read more

Scammers. I placed an order through Uber eats. They accepted the order even though they didn't have the item available and refused to cancel. Without permission the decided to change the order to something else . And I got the charges for something I didn't order or received read more

The pineapple ginger drink here is so refreshing and tasty. My first visit was better than the second but it all centered around good food. They do offer a military discount but depending on who's on the register, he or she may not be aware of when it it is offered. Clean and eclectic decor that has good vibes when you come in. There is a weekday and a weekend menu. There are some core items they offer all the time but during the week more of the specials are available. I was tripping about the prices and portion sizes of some of the dishes, but from what I have ordered; everything was very good and encourages diners to try something they've never had from their menu. Parking is shared with neighboring businesses. Located along a busy street, a word to the wise when entering and exiting the lot. Strongly recommended to call ahead of time to be current on their dine in policy and hours during the pandemic. Some orders will take some time as your items are made to order. I do recommend the plantains. Great taste and more affordable than if you had gone to a Caribbean eatery. I did enjoy the goat meat but you receive five small pieces for about $8.50 in addition to whatever entree you order. I do recommend visiting this location and trying a variety of their menu items. It is a good option for when you want to switch up your food options when in a nutritional rut. read more

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The food here is NOT cooked by an African but by a Jamaican or other Islander. I ate the WORST-ever Egusi soup in 8/13/2025 and almost gagged. No Crayfish, no African spices, just a lot of salt and black pepper instead of habanero. After three spoonfuls, I threw Way the food. Urrgh! read more

If you've never tried African food, this is a great introduction! This was my first taste of African food and it was awesome! Got the Grilled Chicken very spicy and they did a great job! Worth trying! The service was also great, they were all really kind and had great recommendations! So stop in and try some of their food, unique and delicious!!! read more

I'm writing this review for any and every one that eats this food for you guys safety. So I've ordered some food today and I've gotten the jollof rice and the oxtail stew with fried plaintains and fufu. Therefore when I've gotten my order i got in the car and opened up my oxtails I promise to god my oxtails smelled like straight shi***** and they looked so disgusting I didn't even eat it so i thre everything out but the rice because that was the only thing that was good ‍‍ read more

OMG!! The samosas are to die for! Service was great, we went as soon as they opened up. It was definitely a vibe, had great music playing in the background. Not too loud but also not too low. Definitely enjoyed my visit. Will be back every time I come to norfolk! read more

Must get the samosa!!! Tried African food for the first time! Had the oxtail stew, lamb egusi stew, fufu, and the fried plantains. All of the food was amanzing and the service by Jasmine was 100% on point! Try the pineapple and ginger juice! read more

You guys changed. Used to be one of my favorite small businesses, but this last order I got was beyond disappointing. The oxtails were inedible because they were straight up fat with no meat. The rice felt crunchy when I bit it and doesn't taste like the jollof rice you guys used to make. Especially for the high prices, I expected the oxtails to be edible. The portions got smaller and the price got higher, the least it could be is quality meat. Customer service is still good, but I just wish your food matched. read more

There is nothing like Yendidi in Norfolk; it is an absolute hidden treasure! I had not previously had food from Ghana, but I definitely will again! We tried a variety of items, and one after another they were bursting with spices and flavors, although unfamiliar, were pleasing and wonderful! I will start with something you might overlook; the coconut rice. It is the best rice dish I have ever tasted, full of coconut flavor and the perfect accompaniment to the other spicy dishes. The chicken suya appetizer so very spicy, full of chile flavors. The beef and blackeyed beans stew was rich and wonderful. The grilled lamb was another spicy masterpiece. There is so much here I want to try, so much I have never previously heard of, I'm excited to work my way through their menu on more visits to come! read more

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10/10 recommend if you're looking for a new taste palette. i had the chicken egusi soup mild w/ fufu, collard greens & jollof rice. it's sooo good. every bite had me like the pineapple ginger drink was really good, too. & the person taking my order was helpful n friendly. definitely coming back. read more

Got the jollof rice to go a couple weeks ago. Very good! If you haven't been to this restaurant yet, please check it out.

Food was AMAZING!!! Shout out to the Chef......the seasoning was on point. I will be going again for sure. I got the grilled turkey wings, fried rice, cabbage, and fried plantains. read more

Delicious!!! The egusi stew is very flavorful. The price is reasonable and they give you a lot of food

With ALL my years on the planet and i have never har the opportunity to experience African cuisine of any type. Shame on me for waiting so long. I think its really because I have this idea of where i want to first try and where. That was to be in DC. Opposite another fav spot of mine, Bus boys and Poets. That was in my pre-yelp days. So on to review. THE MEALS WERE AMAZING. Bursting with flavor from thr very bite to a lingering delighted mouth that savors,long after the meal has been finished. Spicy is the very first thought. I do really enjoy tomato based sauces. I tend to just order a few entrees at 1 time, so I went with Fufu with Lite soup/ Chicken, Beef Kyiakyia, with fish and delicious stew beef. Peanut Butter soup with Fufu, Yandidi wings, Suya beef with rice and peas and a side of goat. Sadly they were out of All afro pies, no Chin chin and Puff puff. I totally enjoyed everything. This was my first time eating fufu, without any reference but it just stuck completely to my fingers. I assumed it was a vessel like roti in Indian or Pakistani food. So the fufu experience was a disappointment I settled with a fork, scooping up the food and dipping. Let's talk spice and amazing flavor.. As i enjoy heat and just made Kofta, and Briyani last nite with heat. This pepper , "she wasn't ready"..lmbo. The heat was there with an incredible flavor to enjoy. Even I a self proclaimed international home chef could not grasp some of the seasonings used to deliver such a delicious meals. Now i know why it took 1 1/2 before it was ready. I went about my business and received a text when things were ready. So this was a take out order, my next visit I will dine in and enjoy a beverage like Sorrel. read more

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my daughter had been wanting to try fufu for the longest, and after searching for an african restaurant in our area, we came across Yendidi. this was my first time trying african food and i will most definitely be back . for my drink, i ordered the pineapple & ginger drink, sooo refreshing . for the app, we started off with kelewele. the sweet & spicy taste of the plantains were perfect. & the yendidi sauce with them was perfect. for my meal , i ordered the joyful jollof with grilled chicken. i didn't realize the grilled chicken was going to be spicy, but it was seasoned perfectly . my daughter went with the egusi soup with shrimp the cocoyam fufu, she truly enjoyed her meal. and my fiancée went with the chicken stew with the cocoyam fufu, & that was a hit. for dessert i did get the banana nut bread with my meal. i will truly say it was a great experience. the restaurant isn't that big, but the flavors there are. i would most definitely be retuning . read more

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The place was small, but the food was really good. If you are looking to try something different definitely try it. Great vegan options as well. The only reason it did not get 4 stars is because the service was not very good. This area definitely needs work. My suggestion would be to call in your order to-go...then it may get read more

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My husband and I came here for a date night after reading the reviews and I was blown away!! It was packed when we arrived but luckily we were able to be seated at one of the last two open booths before even more people came in behind us. It was my first time ever having West African cuisine and I'm a little mad I've gone this long without it in my life! I really did not know what to expect so I just went in open-minded and left full, Happy, and complete lol. The women of the establishment were so caring, so on top of everything, and just really *chef's kiss*. The food was so, so, so dang good! Really that is an understatement but you get the point. We will definitely be back/supporting now that we've had the experience we had. My heart and tummy are in love. read more

We were super excited to discover this West African spot in VA. We ordered pick up for our first experience. There was a decent wait time during that experience but we were in no rush. Based on how delicious our first experience was; we decided to reserve a table and eat in. We arrived at 3:26pm and unfortunately did not get our meal until an 1hr and 45 mins later. We were patient however, our server (Kojo) was gracious and kind and made the situation a little brighter. Unfortunately, the food came out in sections - some dishes (mine in particular) did not come out with the side I needed to eat the meal and enjoy it. Only my protein came out first. As for table management - being checked on that could've been a bit better. In our two experiences, the food always sold out quickly. There has always been menu shortages. The food was delicious - I must say . So thankfully this situation wasn't a total bust. The servers (Kojo and Solomon) were polite and gracious -- so that's a plus and worth tipping. The overall experience was very very...very frustrating but we see the potential. With some serious time management -- this hidden gem would blossom. read more

Yendidi Norfolk - African Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia