Moin moin

A Nigerian steamed pudding made from a smooth paste of peeled black-eyed peas, peppers, onions and oil.

Moin moin: A sliced Nigerian moin moin steamed bean pudding, smooth pale orange slices with a piece of boiled egg showing inside, on a plate beside a banana-leaf wrapped portion
  • Traditional and regional desserts
  • Nigeria

Also called: Mai Mai, Moy Moy, Moyin Moyin, moi moi, steamed bean pudding

Moin moin is a savory bean pudding from Nigeria, especially associated with Yoruba cooking. Black-eyed peas are soaked so their skins can be rubbed off, then blended with peppers, onions and oil into a thick, pourable batter. The batter is seasoned, poured into leaves, tins or small containers, and steamed until it sets into a soft, sliceable cake.

Cooks often add boiled egg, fish or meat to the batter before steaming, and the finished pudding is pale orange from the peppers and palm or vegetable oil. It is served with rice, pap or bread, and is a familiar dish at parties and family gatherings. Although it sits in many dessert lists, it is a savory side or main rather than a sweet.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Effect of Wet and Dry Processing on the Proximate and Mineral Composition of Traditional Nigerian Steamed Legume Pudding (Moi-Moi) Prepared from Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA Journal of Sciences)