sk cookks toronto

This is Toronto's secret spot for homecooked Nigerian food

SK Cookks has its origins in Etobicoke back in 2017, when owner Sasilka Shallangwa first identified a gap in the African food industry in Toronto.

After having to close their dine-in location during the lockdowns, SK now operates solely as a takeout spot in Liberty Village, where they make dishes like meat pies, spring rolls, grilled fish and peppered snail for pickup and delivery. They're hoping to convert it to dine-in once the city opens up.

sk cookks toronto

"Migrating to Canada, there were a lot of East African restaurants, but the West African cuisine was not as popular," Shallangwa tells blogTO.

"Prime neighborhoods such as Etobicoke and downtown Toronto lacked West African cuisine."

sk cookks toronto

She says the first part of the name of the restaurant is essentially an abbrevation of Shallangwa's first name. She didn't explain the extra "k," presumably to retain an air of mystery.

sk cookks toronto

She grew up in his mother's restaurant, and has been boning up on her skills at George Brown since opening in Liberty Village.

"It was important for us to have representation and share our culture with the city," she says.

"As we know, finding quality, home-cooked meals in the diaspora is always a chore; SK Cookks was birthed to solve that problem."

sk cookks toronto

They're on the delivery apps, and on their menu you'll find dishes like egusi, a stew of various meats with melon seeds, ugwu leaves (sometimes known as pumpkin leaves, rich in nutritional benefits) and African pepper sauce.

sk cookks toronto

Efo riro is similar, a stew of spinach and meat with pepper sauce. 

sk cookks toronto

"Africa is a very diverse continent and we have so many different ethnic groups and delicacies," says Shallangwa. "However, there are items that cut across all cultures and are ever-present at every African party. These are the items you find on our menu."

sk cookks toronto

There's also peppered turkey, peppered beef and even peppered snail.

sk cookks toronto

"Kak's" grilled chicken is a dish of chicken that's been marinated in spices then grilled and paired with pepper sauce.

sk cookks toronto

"We chose these specific items for all the nostalgic Africans in Canada, to remind them of home every time they need a hug," says Shallangwa.

sk cookks toronto

Some items even come traditionally wrapped up in leaves.

sk cookks toronto

Snacks and sides include chicken spring rolls, meat pies, samosas, fried plantain, jollof rice and pounded yam.

sk cookks toronto

There are also wings, done in a Nigerian sweet-heat style.

sk cookks toronto

The most mandatory side to go with more traditional dishes, however, is puff-puff, a starchy accompaniment made by hand that can be used to dip into the stews and soak up their flavours.

sk cookks toronto

For a visual showstopper, there's marinated whole grilled tilapia with a spicy sauce. 

sk cookks toronto

To wash it all down, there are traditional drinks made in-house, like Chapman (usually a mix of Fanta Orange, Sprite, some Angostura, and a couple of other goodies) and Zobo (similar to sorrel drinks in the Caribbean and Mexican agua de jamaica), as well as other familiar commercial faves like Vita Malt and Island Soda.

sk cookks toronto

"The most important part of African food is in the culture and the festival of flavours we offer," Shallangwa says.

"For me, this journey is about representation in the food industry in Canada. The more people try them, it means we are making progress daily. These dishes are our voice in the city."

Photos by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Closure of Toronto restaurant after 70 years signals change for neighbourhood

Toronto neighbourhood getting much-needed grocery store after years of vacancy

Toronto store known for its fresh seafood announces sudden closure

Canadians call out Loblaw in the latest case of alleged grocery shrinkflation

Toronto restaurant named after its street and address is moving

Toronto restaurant exits high-profile new food hall

Here's when Toronto's new Shake Shack location will open

Major Canadian companies allegedly involved in vast 'potato cartel'