Inside small amala spot where the rich park cars, queue

 On a street in Onipanu, a small shop attracts an unusual daily sight. Expensive cars line up beside commercial buses and okadas, all waiting for the same thing: a plate of amala. The shop, run by Mrs. Juliana Adebimpe Okedara, better known as Iya Toyin Alamala, is one of Lagos’ most popular food spots.

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A recent post by Twitter user @Egwi captured the experience:

“The highly regarded ‘best Amala in Lagos’ is tucked away in a tiny spot on an obscure street in Onipanu. My driver and I nearly got lost trying to find it. Got there and saw different types of cars parked in front of this tiny shop just to have some Amala. Las las you can do great things from a small place.”

The description sums up what many customers already know: the reputation of the shop far exceeds its size.

Iya Toyin started the business in Oshodi Oke more than 50 years ago. At the beginning, she sold rice, pounded yam, and amala. Over time, she focused only on amala, moving the business to its present location in Onipanu.

Unlike other amala spots that offer gbegiri and several side dishes, the Onipanu shop keeps it simple. The only serving is amala with ewedu and omi obe (stew). Customers know what to expect, and that consistency has built loyalty over decades.

The food does not stay within the shop. Customers often buy in bulk to take outside Lagos and abroad. Amala from Iya Toyin has travelled to Abuja, London, and the United States. The business also offers catering services for parties, where rice and pounded yam are included on the menu.

The mix of vehicles parked outside reflects the shop’s reach. From office workers to business executives, customers wait their turn for a plate. In a city known for class divisions, the amala shop levels the field.

More than five decades after it started, Iya Toyin’s small Onipanu shop continues to draw Lagosians from every background. As the viral tweet put it, great things can indeed come from a small place.