Roadside Bukas (mama-put stalls)
Every neighbourhood
FoodCheapAuthentic
Bukas — also called 'mama-put' — are the everyday kitchens of working Calabar. Sit at a plastic table, ask what's fresh, and you'll eat better than any hotel restaurant for a fraction of the price.
Local tip: Look for the stall with the most local customers, sit down, and ask 'What is fresh today?'
Phrases you'll use at Roadside Bukas (mama-put stalls)
Tap 🔊 to hear the phrase, 🎤 to practice pronouncing it.
👋 Greetings
Mọkọm
Hello / Greetings
🔊 /mo-KOM/
💡A respectful all-purpose greeting. Use it everywhere.
Mesiere
Good morning
🔊 /meh-see-EH-reh/
Emesiere
Good morning (to elders or a group)
🔊 /eh-meh-see-EH-reh/
💡Show extra respect to elders — it's expected.
Mesiere uwemeyo
Good afternoon
🔊 /meh-see-EH-reh oo-weh-MEH-yo/
Mesiere mbubreyo
Good evening
🔊 /meh-see-EH-reh m-boo-BREH-yo/
Idarade
Good night
🔊 /ee-dah-RAH-deh/
Sọsọngọ
Welcome / Thank you
🔊 /soh-SONG-oh/
💡Used both as 'welcome' and 'thank you'.
🙏 Courtesy
🛍️ Shopping & money
Adi okuk ifan?
How much is it?
🔊 /AH-dee oh-KOOK ee-FAHN/
Akan mi okuk
It is too expensive
🔊 /AH-kahn mee oh-KOOK/
Nim okuk emi
Reduce the price
🔊 /nim oh-KOOK EH-mee/
💡Bargaining is normal and expected.
Nyene ndep emi
I want to buy this
🔊 /n-YEH-neh n-DEP EH-mee/
Inyene okuk
I have money / I'll pay
🔊 /ee-n-YEH-neh oh-KOOK/
Nnyene okuk-nkpọ
I don't have change
🔊 /n-n-YEH-neh oh-KOOK n-k-POH/
🍲 Food & drink
Ñkpọ udia
Food
🔊 /n-k-POH oo-DEE-ah/
Mmọñ
Water
🔊 /m-MONG/
Nyene udia
I am hungry
🔊 /n-YEH-neh oo-DEE-ah/
Nyene mmọñ
I am thirsty
🔊 /n-YEH-neh m-MONG/
Edikang ikong, mbọk
Edikang ikong, please
🔊 /eh-dee-KANG ee-KONG m-BOK/
💡A famous Efik vegetable soup — try it!
Eyere ke nsek?
Is it spicy?
🔊 /eh-YEH-reh keh n-SEK/
Edi unen / inem
It is delicious
🔊 /eh-DEE OO-nen ee-NEM/
Nọ mi bill, mbọk
The bill, please
🔊 /noh mee bill m-BOK/