On Dec. 12, Nigerian songstress Ayra Starr decided to have street-made noodles (“Aboki Indomie” or “Mai Shai”). “Wait. no aboki indomie again in Lagos ??,” she innocently asked. “Please recommend the best spot.”
However, the responses she got was arguably not what she expected. Instead of providing answers, Nigerians had a field day roasting the 22-year-old.
@ThaBoyYom voice was perhaps the loudest saying: “Lol you’re not street. Don’t force it in dear.”
@slim_shades_ chimed in: “She say na ‘aboki indomie.’ Who the hell calls it that??”
@TheDamiForeign answered with a counter-question: “You dey Lekki dey ask for aboki indomie, you don reach Ikorodu wey you no see?”
@Dayo36 added: “You dey Ikoyi dey ask about aboki indomie. Ayra joor nau”
@Deyvxxd_ couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to school Arya on the proper nomenclature: “Na maishayi you call ‘aboki indomie?’”
@iam_FirstSamuel had perhaps the tweet of the day with: “You just know ‘aboki indomie’ will be a lyrical line in one of her next songs.”
It’s easy to see why many Nigerians where not too enthusiastic on just providing with the simple answer she needed. Some see it as a faux attempt at reconnecting back to her roots. Others see it as merely asking a question with an obvious answer—such delicacies are found on the street and not inside the mansions of celebrities. Quite odd for the self-acclaimed “Sabi girl” to be disconnected with the streets.
Either way, Ayra, if you’re serious about your indomie hunt then it, looks like you’ve got some street-food reconnaissance to do.
The streets of Lagos are waiting.