Emma Mykytyn Chuku’s London Review: Nigerian Tapas Near Seven Sisters
Looking for Nigerian food in London? Chuku’s in Tottenham offers a colourful introduction to Nigerian cuisine through small plates designed for sharing.
We discovered Chuku’s while walking along Tottenham High Road, you’ll find it just a few minutes from Seven Sisters station. Combining traditional West African flavours with a modern tapas-style menu, the restaurant makes it easy to sample several Nigerian dishes in one sitting.
Founded by brother-and-sister duo Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick, Chuku’s serves Nigerian-inspired small plates against a soundtrack of Afrobeats. The menu includes meat, seafood and plant-based dishes, making it suitable for groups with different tastes and dietary requirements.
Inside Chuku’s Nigerian Restaurant in Tottenham
Chuku’s is a cosy and intimate neighbourhood restaurant with warm lighting, colourful artwork and retro-inspired interiors. The tables are positioned fairly close together, adding to the lively and sociable atmosphere.
It is an informal space rather than a formal dining room, making it suitable for a relaxed meal with friends, a casual date night or anyone trying Nigerian food for the first time.
Service during our visit was friendly and enthusiastic. The team were happy to explain the dishes and guide us through the menu, which was helpful as we were new to Nigerian cuisine.
The tapas concept works particularly well for first-time visitors. Rather than committing to one large main course, you can order a selection of smaller dishes and explore a broader range of Nigerian flavours, spices and textures.
Menu at Chuku
What We Ate at Chuku’s
The menu at Chuku’s is designed for sharing, so we ordered a range of plates to experience as many of the restaurant’s flavours as possible.
Staff can offer guidance on how many dishes to order, but your final bill can rise quickly if you want to sample a broad selection.
Okra
The crunchy okra fingers had a garlicky, savoury umami flavour, finished with a sweet chilli vinaigrette that delivered a gentle but noticeable kick. At £4.50, this was a tasty way to begin our meal.
Beef Suya
The beef suya consisted of pieces of beef marinated in aromatic suya spices. We both enjoyed the seasoning, although the portion felt small for £8.50.
The menu description had led us to expect strips of beef, but what arrived was closer to small nuggets. They were tasty nuggets, however, and the suya spice gave the meat plenty of flavour.
Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings
The Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings are one of Chuku’s signature dishes, and it is easy to understand why.
The sticky chicken wings combined sweet, spicy and savoury flavours, with a crunchy peanut kuli kuli crumb scattered over the top. They were messy to eat but absolutely worth the sticky fingers.
Keep some plantain to one side for scooping up the remaining caramel and peanut sauce. At £11, this was one of the more memorable plates from our meal.
Banga Prawns
The Banga Prawns were juicy and accompanied by herbal and citrus notes. They were pleasant enough, but this was possibly the weakest dish we tried.
At £12, the prawns did not feel as distinctive or memorable as some of the other plates. They were tasty, but they would not be our main reason for returning.
Egusi Bowl
The Egusi Bowl was one of our favourite dishes. It combined ground melon seeds and spinach with three soft yam dumplings, creating a rich, warming and deeply savoury plate.
This felt like proper Nigerian comfort food and delivered one of the most interesting flavour combinations of the meal.
At £11, it seemed a little expensive for three dumplings with the accompanying sauces, but we could not fault the flavour. It is one of the dishes we would order again.
Sinasir and Miya Taushe
Sinasir and Miya Taushe combined a soft rice-flour pancake with a creamy pumpkin and peanut sauce.
The combination of the tender pancake and rich peanut sauce worked well. It was comforting and satisfying, although £8.50 again felt slightly high for the size of the serving.
Fried Plantain Dodo
The fried plantain dodo was crisp and golden on the outside while remaining warm and soft inside. Tossed with cinnamon, sugar and coconut, it offered a sweeter contrast to the savoury and spicy dishes.
The plantain also came in handy for mopping up the sticky sauce from the Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings. This dish was priced at £6.
Dessert at Chuku’s
Do not skip dessert when visiting Chuku’s. The Chin Chin Cheesecake was one of the highlights of our meal.
It combined smooth, creamy cheesecake with crunchy pieces of chin chin, a popular West African fried snack. The contrasting textures worked particularly well, while the slight tanginess stopped the dessert from becoming overly sweet.
It cost £10 and disappeared remarkably quickly once it reached our table. Mark was clearly a fan.
Drinks at Chuku’s
We accompanied our Nigerian tapas with a can of Orijin for £6.50 and a serving of palm wine for £4.50.
Trying the drinks was part of the experience, although neither became an instant favourite for us. We might stick to water next time and save more room for the food.
Is Chuku’s Worth Visiting?
Chuku’s is worth considering if you are looking for Nigerian food near Seven Sisters or want an accessible introduction to West African cuisine in London.
The small-plate format allows you to try several dishes, while the welcoming service makes the menu approachable for newcomers. Our standout dishes were the Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings, the Egusi Bowl and the Chin Chin Cheesecake.
We enjoyed discovering the different flavours, although several portions felt expensive for their size. Ordering enough plates for a full meal can therefore result in a higher bill than you might initially expect.
Overall, Chuku’s offers an interesting and enjoyable Nigerian dining experience in Tottenham. We would recommend it for adventurous diners, small groups and anyone keen to explore Nigerian cuisine through a modern sharing menu.
How to Visit Chuku’s in Tottenham
Address: 274 High Road, Tottenham, London N15 4AJ
Nearest station: Seven Sisters Underground and Overground station
Getting there: Chuku’s is a short walk from Seven Sisters station along Tottenham High Road. Seven Sisters is served by the Victoria line and London Overground.
Booking: Advance booking is recommended, particularly at weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chuku’s
What type of food does Chuku’s serve?
Chuku’s serves Nigerian food in a modern small-plate format. The menu features meat, seafood and plant-based dishes intended for sharing.
Where is Chuku’s in London?
Chuku’s is located at 274 High Road in Tottenham, North London. It is within walking distance of Seven Sisters Underground and Overground station.
Is Chuku’s suitable for people trying Nigerian food for the first time?
Yes. The small-plate menu allows first-time diners to sample several Nigerian dishes, while staff can explain unfamiliar ingredients and recommend what to order.
What are the best dishes at Chuku’s?
Our favourites were the sticky Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings, the rich Egusi Bowl and the Chin Chin Cheesecake. The fried plantain also worked particularly well alongside the wings.
Is Chuku’s expensive?
Individual dishes are moderately priced, but the portions are small and designed for sharing. The final cost can add up when ordering enough plates for a substantial meal.
Do you need to book Chuku’s?
Advance booking is advisable, particularly for evening meals and weekend visits, as the restaurant is intimate and seating is limited.
Prices and menu details were correct at the time of our visit and may change.
