Golden Safari

Golden Safari Nigerian Restaurant offers flavorful, authentic dishes that delight the palate, showcasing the vibrant essence of Nigerian cuisine. However, the portion sizes feel modest relative to the price, resulting in moderate value for money. Service, while adequate, lacks warmth and engagement, with staff appearing somewhat distracted. As an observer, I suggest the restaurant enhance the first-time diner experience by proactively introducing signature dishes, such as jollof rice or egusi stew, to highlight their culinary strengths. Improving portion generosity and training staff to provide more attentive, welcoming service could elevate the overall experience, ensuring customers leave satisfied and eager to return.

Eaten at Golden Safari a few times and it's always very very good. I always get a Egusi with chicken, fufu, okra soup with chicken as well and jollof rice but this time I also got plantain and every single thing was spot on. I'm so happy that it's halal food and I can enjoy the deliciousness of other cultures.

Again, your food is so DELICIOUS! We saw the owner on KTVU Morning News recently being interviewed regarding Hatward Restaurant Week. Her presentation was fabulous. Its important that food be created by those who represent the food; culturally speaking. Although the spices, meat and vegetables are not directly from home, what is imported makes the dishes delicious. My husband and I had Jollif, Egusi and Efo-Riro w/Goat. NO COMPLAINTS FROM US. We loved the food, the hospitality and the cleanliness of the location. We will be back.

First time trying Nigerian cuisine. Amazing. Waiter was helpful in guiding me to order Ebo Riro soup when they heard me order Fufu with nothing to dip it in. The GOAT was amazing. The Jollof rice was so flavorful. The chicken was also good but the GOAT was the star. Everything was so flavorful not overly salty just seasoned to perfection. I would definitely return here and am so glad I gave it a try.

SO EXCITED to have found this restaurant! Their egusi soup and fufu are super tasty and my friend got the stewed goat and jollof rice - also delicious. It's the most authentic and flavorful African food I've had in California. The staff is helpful and friendly, and there's lovely African art on the walls. Can't wait to tell my friends and go again!

My philosophy is simple. If the chairs r empty dont eat there. I come 1ce every other week to order food to go but while my food is being cooked, i order another meal "for here" to eat while I wait. I even order puff puff. For 1 person I can say I spend quite well. They brought me my food to eat at my seat by the glass entrance door. 10 mins later i finish my food but my to go meal still isnt ready. I wait. 5, 10, 15, 20 mins and i start to get uncomfortable. From my table by the entrance, Im looking at the slim tall girl at the counter who took my order waiting for her to give me a cue that it's ready since they didn't call but she kept avoiding eye contact. 🤔 U cannot make this up. The air wasn't right. After bout 25 mins wait, still no food. I see some1 come from outside, walk up the counter, pick up their food and walk out then I said let me go to the counter and ask about my food and they tell me.....my food has been there...but they refuse to inform me. They know I'm in the restaurant, they knew where I was but refused to let me know my food was waiting for me at counter I spent $53 and my food has gotten cold, they didn't Inform me. I ask y???She said she didn't want to bother me from eating. I finished the food 20 mins ago. In my mind: how many mins does it take to eat. I was waiting for about 25 mins for my "to go" food and it was getting cold at counter the entire time. The owner went on to say "it's African culture for me to come pick my food". In my mind I'm like b.s. cause in thinking what shes really saying is African culture is "no traffic lights" just chaos and disorder. Im from east coast. I've been to many African spots. Even here in Oakland theres several including a Liberian spot, when your food is ready they alert u. What us this nonsense shes telling ne here. I spend too much for that kind of treatment. I broke 1 of my rules. After she said her part of the story I gave it a day or 2 but i still feel violated so I'm refusing her excuse or apology or whatever it is so I decided to share my experience. I refused to put my money into a place that what me to accept mediocre is African culture. Im not asking for exceptional,.I'm not a narcissist but just dont treat me bad.

I never leave google reviews or review anything but LET ME SAY this food was AMAZING , I was intrigued by Nigerian food and wanted to start with fufu and egusi and it did not disappoint !!! I called around 6 placed and order and they were so accommodating!! They held my food until 10 minutes before closing and were so kind about it , prices are very reasonable egusi includes fufu and very well portioned , more than enough to make you full !! The piece of beef in my egusi was so tender loved it , yea this is the place .

Take out portions are ridiculous. Ordered the egusi and there was hardly anything in the container. So disappointed because I would have returned to patronize again the next day. Perhaps portions are better when dining, but not gonna return to find out.

I was in line at Deccan Morsels Fremont recently, waiting for a cup of Irani chai , when I got talking to a young man from North Africa. As we discussed African food I told him about Hayward's own Golden Safari, and how it has been awarded best in the bay for Nigerian food. Then I realized I haven't posted a review about their food in a while. I mean you go there, you order a meat pie, follow that with a tomato stew with meat of your choice, get the plain or jollof rice, a side of the fried plantains. Man I tell you, life doesn't get better than that. The flavors, the portions, the yumminess, makes you glad you are in the Bay Area. Extra points for the hibiscus drink , the very clean restroom, and the sweetest, kindest people working there.

Safari so Good Fun fact: 90% of what we watch these days is cooking and/or food related, and we're especially hooked on cooking competitions. From Chopped to Beat Bobby Flay to Wildcard Kitchen--we've seen them all. What we love most is how they always seem to find new foods and cuisines that have somehow eluded us over our great many years. Take for instance, Chef Eric Adjepong; his Ghanaian background, flavors, and devilish good-looks (oh, my...) had intrigued us over the years, but it wasn't until recently watching a West African Chef on The Great American Recipe that really drew us in. Her amazing cooking and recipes made us crave for some legit African food. That's where the handy-dandy Yelp app comes into play, because did you know you can just type in a dish and it'll spit back results based off reviews mentions? Well that's what happened when I put in "Egusi" in the search bar and Golden Safari was the top choice, which led us here on one fateful Sat afternoon. The Good: *Large shared lot with plenty of parking, as well as street parking *Great décor *Service was fine. They had one young man doing it all, but he was friendly trying hard, so big ups. *The food was everything we'd imagined it and wanted it to be. Definitely highly underrated cuisine, and also extremely underserved. *Egusi Stew was where it was at for me, as the earthy and slightly sweet soup of Egusi (ground seeds of a melon), greens, and meat of one's choice. I, ofc, chose Goat and it was fantastic. The concomitant FuFu was very, um, interesting as the texture was like mashed potatoes but not the flavor you'd expect. I mean, it's not Poi bad, but it definitely leaves a lot to be desired. It was, however, really good mixed in with the Egusi, which I suspect is how it's meant to be eaten. *Naked Fried Chicken is where it's at. The crispiness you desire but without all the added carbs of breading. *The Jollof Rice was also outstanding as the grains had a great texture and deep earthy flavor from all the peppers and tomatoes cooked down to nothingness. The Meh: *No outdoor dining *Need a code for the restroom *We arrived shortly after opening and *none* of the apps were "ready" to be ordered. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ *I'm not sure if this was because we arrived after opening, but it took a loooong time to get our food. Fortunately, we both had a decent breakfast so we weren't starving. Otherwise, the hangries would've kicked in... 0_o *Despite them being open almost eight years (2017), the restaurant felt like it was being run by someone who's never owned a restaurant before (see above). I mean, they're not deal killers but just don't expect a smooth experience from soup to nuts. The Ugly: *It's kind of in a strange part of town, as there was definitely some character in the lot on a good one, if you catch my drift. Basically what I'm saying is lock your doors. :) Conclusion: SNAFUs aside, I would definitely love to come back and try more dishes at some point. Because as the Great Communicator once said, "It's all about the food, stupid."

I ordered the Egusi Soup with chicken, which came with a side of fufu, and it was absolutely incredible! You can choose between spicy or mild--I went with spicy, and it was perfectly balanced, just enough heat to enjoy without being overwhelming. I called ahead, and it took about 30 minutes to prepare, so I'd recommend giving them enough time if you're placing an order. The staff at the front, a friendly lady and gentleman, were very welcoming. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with African art pieces that are available for purchase. This spot has definitely become my new favorite for Nigerian food!

Saw this all over my TikTok and definitely had to try! Luckily my friends live nearby and I had this delivered to their house. It was my first time trying fufu and egusi. The texture combined is incredible. The meat was also tasty. Will definitely be stopping by any time I'm in the area again!

Love this spot. Owner is super friendly and helpful. As soon as you walk in, you can smell the wonderful aromas. We usually get a jollof rice plate, a few side orders of meat and one of the soups. I've never had a bad experience dining here. The food comes out fresh and is worth the wait.

Who would've thought that you could find authentic Nigerian food in downtown Hayward? Golden Safari specializes in Nigerian soups, including Egusi, made of crushed egusi melon seeds and greens in a spicy broth, along with chunks of bone-in goat (or other choice of protein). However, I was an even bigger fan of the house special Edikaikong Soup, made with a savory broth of stockfish, crayfish, and minced meat, along with greens and pieces of hake fish (or other choice of protein). The broth had a deliciously deep, savory seafood flavor; the greens reminded me of seaweed; and the pieces of bone-in fish had a pleasantly dry, meaty texture! The staple food with which both of these soups was served was fufu, a square-shaped mass of pounded yam, which had a dry yet mushy texture and the flavor of mashed potatoes. The relatively bland fufu paired nicely with the flavorful soups, and the super friendly service explained the dishes to us in detail. Overall, visiting Golden Safari was a memorable culinary and cultural adventure, though the prices were high for the portion sizes.

Food was delicious! This was my first time trying it. I've heard from many people in the Bay Area that this is the spot to go to if you want to try African food. The Egusi soup and fufu was what was recommended and it did not disappoint! The puff puff... that was just delicious!

Golden Safari is West African fare. There's a large parking lot in back. No need to look for a space in front. Walls are decorized with African artifacts, pics. Offerings: house special, African soups, appetizers, salads, starters, rice plate, drinks, sides, Promptly seated upon entry. After consulting with server, placed my order. Food came out when it was fully cooked/assembled. Drums & soft vocals music in background. Eats: Egusi Soup (18.99) +goat meat (3) -soup is a blend of blended melon seeds, palm oil, various kinds of chilis. Taste edge of pungent. Hotness localized in mouth, not transmitted to stomach... Fufu is a type of "bread" made with cassava root & plantains. Steamed, dense. Pairs well with Egusi. -goat meat tender, not much flavor. Meat pie (5) looks like an empanada. -meat dry, subtly savory. Moistness comes from potato, onions. Drink: Ginger Beer (L.5.99) -large sugar content neutralized by sharp gingerness. February is Black Heritage Month...

Lots of vegan choices at this African restaurant. Love to keep coming here. Awesome....

Another bookmark down, many many more to go! I came to Golden Safari because I've been wanting to try fufu. I ordered goat meat, jollof rice and fufu. The lady working the register said the fufu only came with soup. So I switched my order to efro riro w/goat,spicy. She told me it'll take about 10min. As I sat and waited, it dawned on me that she misinterpreted my request. I was buying everything separately. The fufu should have been charged as a side item. Instead the fufu was 'free' bc it came with the soup. I really wanted to try the rice. O well. I don't know what part of Africa this meal originated from. I requested spicy but there wasn't much heat. I think the meal could've used more salt. The goat had a gamier flavor. Stronger than i'm used too. The food was not bad. I would recommend this place to someone who wanted to try African food. I wouldn't eat it again tho. So far my 'African' food preference is still Ethiopian.

Great food! Great goat! Efo riro and pounded yam were delectable!!! Hibiscus Zobo was really delicious, too! Great service!

Ordered chicken Egusi and fufu. My first time having African food. The restaurant is clean and service was fast. My dish was so flavorful. Can't wait to go back.

I have been wanting to try Golden Safari for quite some time and was glad to finally have the chance. We ordered egusi beef with fufu, moin moin, buns, jollof and I think ofada? While we were in there, they asked if we liked spicy food. I grew up eating West African food and love spice so I told them to make mine spicy, but my husband not as much. I think they went easy on us both because the spice was very tame. I wish they had given us the real deal hahah Otherwise, the food all tasted authentic and was flavorful and the portion sizes were reasonable. If you are ordering takeout, please do note that the food will take some time to prepare, and that is true for many West African foods, it just takes time. I too tried calling ahead but no one answered the phone, though I did see them answering it while we were waiting for our food. I only knocked off one star because they were out of many of the pastries on the menu at the time. While we didn't stay to eat in, I liked that there was nice artwork lining the walls and the restaurant was open and clean with warm lighting. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. This could be a nice spot for a casual date night. I will be back again.

Went right after 4. Late lunch had hayward resturant week special. Jollof,Puff puff(mildly sweet thick crisped dough),beef in a great sauce, yummy plantain and a soda $20+tax. Yummy,nice staff, clean resturant plenty of parking!

I always go with the egusi my favorite dish. Thia time I had beef, i ordered online and asked for lamb but if unavailable ill take beef. It was so tender and seasoned right and the future omg I can eat that by itself. Everything we order was prefect they were out of the soursop for my friends drinks she loves every since she tried it. We always want more even when it's a lot. I can newer get tired of this food.

I was starving! I had been in court all day for a property management eviction case and was so happy to find an African restaurant so close to the courthouse. I ordered the vegetarian Egusi spicy and a Zoba drink, which is hibiscus tea. I saw in one review that the portions were smaller than anticipated, I'm hoping that is not the case, but we shall see when my food arrives. The egusi was delicious Service: I would have to say the service was pretty indifferent. No warm greeting, even though I came in with a smile. It was like if i was there, it didn't matter. If i wasn't there, it didn't matter. There was a young man helping someone when I walked in at the register. When I paid for my order, the woman did not speak (though she had just finished a lively conversation with the person in front of me). For me, she just waved her hand in the direction of the card machine. I hope she is saving all her energy to prepare my food well since she gave no energy towards making me feel comfortable. I placed a to-go order. Despite how I perceived the service, I would come again. Everyone has a down day, and I enjoyed the meal. Ambiance: Music is playing, and the decor fits the style. There are 8 tables and 6 barstools at a long counter. Bright African decor is on the walls. Large tile flooring. No one was sitting at the tables. A woman with her daughter came in as I was awaiting my food. Food: .

Food was amazing. Service was also amazing. They checked in after receiving our meals, and was very engaging. Everything was so flavorful. I am having dreams of my meal, and will definitely come back.

Service was just normal, the women there are friendly and attentive. Appetizers: Meat pie: kinda plain but I'm not a meat pie person in general Meat: LOTS OF FLAVOR, spices are strong, meat is kinda gritty 8/10 Main course: Jollof Rice: 10/10 my favorite dish, flavorful vibrant and the side of veggies was a good balance. Egusi Chicken: this was suppose to be our star but when trying it the soup flavor wasn't as strong as we expected it to be but the collard greens in the soup was good. Chicken was great. 7/10 Egusi Goat: same like the chicken but the goat meat as hard to get out and not a lot of meat. 7/10 Fufu: soft and almost like mochi, you can definitely just swallow no need to chew. There is a yam after taste flavor but it also reminded me of mashed potatoes Portions are small all of this was shared between 4 ppl

Came here to try a new place at the request of a friend, and am glad I did. The dishes were ones I haven't had before and had an interesting flavor profile. We got the jollof rice, goat meat, fried fish, okra soup with chicken, and a hibiscus drink. The portions were smaller than expected, even though the server had warned us that might be the case. I liked the goat meat (so tender and marinated well) and soup the best, though if you're sensitive to texture the sliminess of the okra might throw you for a loop. However, the taste is great! The fried fish and meat pie were nothing to write home about, so we'll probably skip these the next time we're here. The restaurant is located in a small strip mall with plenty of parking, and it wasn't crowded when we went (though note that they do close early, at 7:30). Service was pleasant and answered a few questions we had about some of the menu items. If you're looking to try something new in the East Bay, I recommend this joint!

Honestly love this place. They are very friendly and play awesome music for those waiting to pick up food. Both my puppy and I LOVE the customer service -- The young lady working behind the cash register is very kind. She always attempts to have a small conversation when I come visit and greets my son (my puppy). Not only her, everyone here is very kind. Just the great vibes this place gives puts everyone in a good mood. The food here is FIRE, but I can see it may not be for everyone -- The Egusi Soup and fufu combo is divine. I learned about this place during the pandemic through TikTok and I'm grateful. There are chunks of meat with some veggies, they don't hold out on portions. The meat pie is a great appetizer, flaky crust with nice flavor. Not overpowering. However, my favorite thing here that I discovered recently is the Goat Meat Pepper Soup. The broth is clear, tasty. And I asked to make it EXTRA spicy. They didn't disappoint. It cleared up my sinuses. Raised my credit score. Changed all my bills to ON TIME. And even made me forget my toxic Ex. The goat was not gamey, overpowering that meat can be. The workers said that it's recommended for when you are sick. So I'm definitely going to come back and grab that with a side of rice. Overall, one of my favorite places in the area. Can't wait to come back.

We ordered the night before so we could pickup and come on back home being it's an hour ride to the restaurant. We got our order. NOTHING was seasoned. My beef was so tuff and the egusi and tomatoes stew was wet. As if those dishes had been thawed and packed. Nothing had flavor or spice. We spent $121 and came home with watered down dishes. Too much money for water flavored egusi, and water tomato stew. We barely even got any egusi. Being everything was basically water we did not enjoy it and poured it down the sink. Seriously stop lying about these places. It was not good at all nor was it seasoned . Service was not bad but the food was watered down. Dont let photos fool you. It is possible that it looks good but trust it was like drinking colored water.

I am vegetarian and was skeptical about their veg meal and flavor. Their veg soups are amazing! Loved the flavor of egusi and tomato stew. Puff puff reminded of my fav dish I used to have as a child. Hibiscus drink is must try. My main purpose of visiting this restaurant was to try fufu and I wasn't impressed. It was more sticky and dry than I was expecting. I thought it's was supposed to be tongue food but I had to chew it. Not sure if my expectation was right. I am not an expert, maybe that's how fufu is supposed to be. The food was overall very oily

The customer service was welcoming and the food is so delicious:) ...The African lady was so helpful and I was very happy and comfortable there it's a friendly environment

This was my first time having Nigerian cuisine and it did not disappoint! The egusi soup and fufu were really good but next time I'd opt for spicy over mild. If you want some menu items like meat pies or fried buns be sure to come early!

Came here on a Monday early evening and the moment we walked in, the gentlemen in the front just had a bothered look. We asked for a moment to look at the menu and he was just standing there with annoyance. Once we were ready to order, he was very rude while taking our order. Once we finished taking our order he tossed it on the counter and had the lady ring us up. The food overall was very tasteful, had great flavors!

Service is great, food is hot and delicious! Very clean establishment, I will be a frequent customer!

This was my first time trying African cuisine, and I was so excited to hear good reviews about this place! We made a date to go to Hayward, but I think I set the standard a bit too high. When we entered at 1:45 ish, we were given menus and told to sit anywhere. Maybe around 15 minutes in, staff took our orders but we didn't get the food until 2:40. Keep in mind, the restaurant closes at 2:45 for lunch. I felt bad if we stayed overtime, so I tried to quickly finish the food. The dishes overall were good! The goat was tender in the stew, and we also got a rice dish which was pretty flavorful. Fufu was the fav, I really wanted to try it. However, the serving sizes felt small and the prices were arguably high for what was given.

Today I ordered fufu through Uber eats and I must say for the long wait it was definitely worth it and very delicious. I was happy with my purchase especially it coming from a place I never tired so I definitely took a chance and it was a hit. The only thing is I felt it needed some more seasoning but overall it was good and worth it.

I came in not knowing what exactly I wanted and the nice kid at the front let me know the egusi was the most popular item but his favorite was efo-riro, so I went with that. You get a choice of meat that is included and it also comes with fufu all for about $20. It took about 10 minutes and he said if you don't like it, don't be scared to come back.... Well I'll be back, but because it was SO GOOD!! I definitely want to go back and try the egusi!

Ordered to-go via phone and was told it would be ready in 15min. However, the wait was really an hour. The fufu tasted like flour (overly starched) and the chicken was fishy. As if it was fried in old fish oil. Although I thought the Efo-Riro soup was great, the stale fish oil taste from the chicken and overly starched fufu threw the whole dish off for me.

Egusi and fufu for the win! So happy this place exists in the Bay Area. The food is delicious. We stop by whenever we are in the Hayward area.

I love the service and food here! I don't know much about African cuisine, so the cashier recommended Efo - Riro which is a soup with stewed spinach and peppers with your choice of meat, so I chose fish. It also came with fufu (which is a sticky ball of cassava, yam, or plaintains) that is eaten with the stew. I wasn't sure how to eat the dish, so I was Googling how to while waiting for my food, but the worker was really kind and explained that traditionally, you take a bit of the fufu and scoop up the stew. They did give me utensils, but I used my hands anyways. To me, fufu is like a a hybrid of mashed potatoes and mochi; it's soft, sticky, savory, and delicious! The Efo - Riro was flavorful with a hint of spiciness. If you're not used to eating fish with lots of bones, I recommend ordering another meat since there were a lot of bones, which I didn't mind at all. The fufu soaked up the flavors of the Efo - Riro when I scooped up the stew. The dish was steaming hot and really fresh! The service was also amazing; the server and cook came to check if everything tasted fine and if I needed anything else, which was really sweet of them. I would recommend this place if you want to try African cuisine!

West-African food in Hayward, was very excited to try Nigerian food for the first time and a non-Ethiopian African restaurant. The flavors and taste are totally unique and I will be back to try more, you can tell a lot of effort was made for an authentic and non-localized experience. Chicken Suya: Spicy charbroiled chicken with red onions on top. The chicken was very dry and was coated in a thick and grainy dry rub that instantly made my brother and I cough. It's not too hot but the dry spices coat your throat with each bite and we had to soften it by eating it with rice. Jollof Rice: Has obvious historical connections to Jamabalya and is loosely similar to it though it has it's own distinct flavor which is more pure and simple. Egusi Soup: Hearty and exotic flavors, it has palm oil which is fragrant and adds a orangeish tint. I like this one the most and would repeat. It came with Eba fufu which is a lump of processed cassava meant for dipping. I kept thinking it was like eating raw sourdough and enjoyed this soup more without the fufu. Goat Asun Special: Chopped smoked goat with peppers, its chopped goat with the bones, internal organs, and fat left on so we had to forage for the meat. The meat was dry but better when mixed with the rice or soup.

Walked in and was greeted by lovely lady who was excited to have us. I mentioned it was our first time trying African food and she gave us some great recommendations. Food came out and was absolutely delicious. Favorite dish was the appetizer beef Suya. For the price could've been a bit bigger, but was delicious nonetheless. First time having FuFu and it was amazing, texture was one of a kind and paired well with the egusi. Will definitely revisit if in the area.

This was my very first time trying African food and I of course had to try Egusi with fufu. The egusi was delicious and flavorful. With assorted meat, I had three pieces of meat, 1 beef, 1 chicken, and 1 pig foot (I think! I could be wrong). The soup was so flavorful, that the fufu helped with the strong flavor. Similarly to how I would eat white rice on the side with my food. I got mine as mild because some places make spicy extremely spicy. Mine didn't have any spice to it so I played it safe. Fufu has such a soft texture. My friends and I said it was somewhere in between mash potatoes and mochi. Typically, you would use your tongue and push it against the roof of your mouth and it would easily melt. The staff was friendly and patient with my friends and I as it was our first time.

Staff was pleasant ambience was nice and basic and clean. Food was delicious will b back soon

The food was very delicious, very flavourful. You could taste the seasonings and the love they put into making the food. The service was also good. I would say that it was a little timely but over all it was amazing. The waiters are very friendly. Inside of the restaurant, very comfortable very clean, it's tidy. The windows give the inside a very bright look and feel. It's not cold or hot here. Overall I'd say that this restaurant is very good. I would recommend coming here to dine with family and friends.

Food is always good. The meat pie is my favorite item, and really recommend the puff puff and jollof rice with fried chicken. However, the service is HORRIBLE. Always unfriendly, and when you ask to sit down, they give you attitude like they don't want to serve you. Sometimes, they're straight up rude and just loudly drop plates and utensils on your table. That's probably why people normally order take out instead of dining in

My mom is a picky eater but will try different food if we tell her its good. This place is one of the few places my mom would actually crave now. Moms order: chicken egussi with an extra fufu

Delicious food...chicken egusi and pounded yam. Service was great nice and clean. Will go back and try the rice

I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for a while because I keep seeing clips of it on TikTok. I live in the Peninsula and there is no sign of any Ethiopian food anywhere. They are all unfortunately in the East Bay! Luckily, my girlfriend was in the area, and I asked her to pick up some egusi soup and fufu for me! I got the 'spicy' egusi with chicken. They give you a choice of mild or spicy. It's packed with flavor! The spicy is definitely packing heat, but not too much where you regret it. With the egusi, they give you a complimentary side of fufu. The fufu is traditionally meant to be swallowed, not chewed - but that is something I'm not used to and fear choking, so eat it however you like. It's made out of pounded yams, has a smooth, texture reminiscent of mochi. Kinda. It has a pretty bland taste and compliments the salty, umami-ness of the egusi. Think of rice! I had such a positive experience trying this new cuisine. I can't wait to try some of the other items. Don't ever be afraid of trying something new!

TWO WORDS! Absolutely NOT! Ordered beef and got goat. I don't eat goat! the food itself was not good either!

A good friend of mine made some type of beef Nigerian stew about 25 years ago, that was so delicious that I never forgot it. Then another good friend posted that she made herself homemade egusi soup and fufu, so I asked her if she could steer me to an authentic African restaurant, and she recommended Golden Safari. I was in Hayward yesterday, so I stopped and got egusi soup with goat meat and fufu to-go. The ladies were so sweet and excited for me to try their food for the first time. Egusi Soup with goat meat - Spicy and delicious! Fufu (pounded yam) - Soft and fluffy! Also delicious! I definitely want to try other dishes from Golden Safari now!

First and foremost, this restaurant is clean, and the ladies are kind. They are understaffed and swamped, so you might not get through on the phone, and the food takes some time to be prepared, so if time is of the essence, try this place on another day. I got the Jollof Rice w/beans and the Chicken Suya. the chicken quality wasn't up to my standard so I'd probably pass on it next time. the rice is a very generous portion, but the beans were slighter. both were extremely tasty. I'd go again, just for the rice & beans. if you're familiar with West African foods, you will probably be happy here with the flavors.

I finally got around to trying this place and I was not disappointed. I got the Egusi with pounded yam fufu. I opted for a medium spice level since I do like spicy food but I have never tried Nigerian food so I wasn't sure what is considered spicy. I should have gotten the spicy because the medium spice level was barely spicy. The first few bites were different for me since this was a new flavor profile for me but it was definitely delicious. I would get the egusi again but spicy and will be back to try a few other things on the menu (efo riro and edikaikong soup). Also, I got my order to go and it was still really hot when I got home which was about a 20 minute drive

This place is bomb! My friend and I loved the beef suya, edikaikong with beef and fufu, asun, and meat pie. I can't wait to try even more items on their menu. But I might have to get the edikaikong again (maybe with fish next time) because it was too good to not order again.

It really saddens me that I have to write this review because I been eating at this restaurant wayyy before the pandemic.. I ordered a order of egusi soup for $20 and received something that looks like Efo Riro and had no taste! Food cost to much for these restaurants to be playing with people and the fact they didn't care is horrible I drove all the way from San Ramon for my order and they don't even give a f***!! Golden Safari if y'all can no longer afford the egusi for the soup just take it off the menu don't add hella greens and no egusi to save money!!! HORRIBLE AND I WILL NEVER BE BACK!!! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES

My cousin and I finally found the time to try Golden Safari since they're the closest restaurant to us that serves fufu! We've been meaning to try African food ever since we saw people talk about it on TikTok! We called in to order egusi soup with goat meat and a side of pounded yam fufu. They told us the wait was 25 minutes, which was fine, but we had to wait an additional 10 minutes for our food when we arrived. I assumed they had a big lunch rush since the restaurant closes at 2:45 pm. When we picked up our order, the food was HOT!! The fufu was super piping hot to the touch and was wrapped in plastic wrap. We were eating in our car so we decided to cut through the fufu with our forks and dip it in the soup. Traditionally, you'd use your hands! We also never had goat meat or egusi before but oh my goodness, it smelled and tasted DIVINE. When I picked up the meat, you can tell just by looking at it, that it was tender and fall off the bone. It was FANTASTIC! The soup was pretty spicy since we got it at the highest spice level but it was so delicious. The spices and vegetables in the soup paired super well. The fufu had such a nice soft texture. If you were to ask about the flavor, I'd say it has a slight similarity to mashed potatoes but not entirely of course. You can tell they put so much time and effort into making the fufu fresh. It was piping hot so I was okay with us waiting that extra 10 minutes for our food. Honestly would come again and try their other dishes!

Terrible service. The fish took way longer than usually to come out...when it did come out it was burned...when trying to return to the kitchen a staff member came out and said they had more fish orders than usual and manager wasn't there to talk to...and there was no more fish...the staff did leave the table until I agreed to pay for the burned food...I WILL NOT BE GOING BACK!...IF GIVING NO STARS WAS A OPTION I WOULD!