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    Jodeem African Cuisine

    4.3 (128 reviews)
    ModerateAfrican
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 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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    Cassava leaves...wish there was some over all of my rice.
    Shenique B.

    I ordered from this restaurant thru Uber Eats. I am a first-timer so maybe this was on off day. I ordered cassava leaves for lunch but it was not a very enjoyable experience for my taste buds. The white rice was a perfect consistency but it was un- (or under-) seasoned. I paid $18.99 (not including Uber's fees, tax, or tip) but I only got 3 small pieces of tough and dry beef. I enjoy spice so the spice level was perfect, however, I needed much more of the actual cassava leaves to cover the taste of unsalted rice and dry beef. Also, the plantain did not taste fresh.

    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

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    8 months ago

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    3 months ago

    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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    6 months ago

    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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    Flora's Restaurant

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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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    Walking inside...
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    Cassava Leaf
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    Menu

    Jodeem African Cuisine - african - Updated July 2026

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