Pan Africa prepares Egusi with spinach and turkey
Ground melon seeds give this traditional West African stew its name and a lightly nutty flavor. Nigerian Frank Anyangbe serves it with spinach and turkey at his restaurant Pan Africa.
The continent
An eclectic coming together - that was Frank Ayangabe's original idea for the restaurant's dishes and that found its way into the interior décor as well. Pan Africa is decorated with accessories from different African countries. One wall is wall-papered with typical textiles from Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt.
A full program
"Nigeria is a big country in Africa and very well-known. But we wanted to show other cultures: food from Kenya, from the East. We didn't only want to reach the African population or just the Christians. We have a Muslim public as well, so our meat is halal. And of course we offer completely vegetarian and vegan dishes." - Frank Ayangbe
Africa at a glance
"Food and eating has a lot to do with identity. As an African, I present my own food and that's 100% identity. For example, when we look for employees and an Italian comes in for an interview, I let him work here in the front of the house, in service, but not in the kitchen. Because the kitchen, this food is my identity." - Frank Ayangbe
As colorful as Neukölln
Pan Africa is in the Berlin neighborhood of Neukölln, where Frank Ayangbe and his family call home. "What's really great about Neukölln is that you can walk down the street and hear French and across the street, someone is speaking Spanish and then further down the road, British English. Berlin Neukölln is really colorful. I like it like that!" - Frank Ayangbe
Nigeria's national dish
Egusi can be prepared vegetarian, or with different types of meat or fish. Frank Ayangbe cooks this particular recipe for the stew using spinach and turkey. Egusi, the melon seeds, can be purchased at an African store or you might substitute with pumpkin seeds. The dish thickens with the grits of the seeds - making it easier to handle. In Nigeria, it is tradition to eat with your hands.