HOUReview
photo credit: Liz Silva
ChòpnBlọk
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By the time you notice the glow of ChòpnBlọk’s neon-yellow sign in the Post Market food hall downtown, you’ve likely already been offered a sample. There will probably be a crowd out front, but they’re not just here for free food. They’re here for good food. ChòpnBlọk serves a casual spin on West African dishes so satisfying that you won’t mind braving a chaotic food hall.
photo credit: Liz Silva
The person in front of you probably just ordered the trad, a bowl of a smoky jollof jambalaya topped with grilled chicken and kelewele, a fried sweet plantain that shines on the dish like a little badge of honor. The golden bowl takes the base of the trad and gives it a power-up by adding in sweet coconut curry and tender black-eyed peas. This is the bowl to prioritize—it's light, refreshing, and represents the best of ChòpnBlọk’s menu. Often served as free samples, the minnie pies are everything a savory pastry should be (flaky and buttery) and we recommend ordering one alongside any bowl you get at ChòpnBlọk. They come out blazing hot, and they’re worth sacrificing the roof of your mouth to eat them as soon as you can. It’s a small price to pay.
photo credit: Liz Silva
photo credit: Liz Silva
photo credit: Liz Silva
ChòpnBlọk’s stall feels like the tiny studio apartment of someone we’d like to be friends with. There are wood-paneled walls lined with framed West African artwork, cookbooks, vinyl records for sale, and luxurious wicker stools that would make any Ikea chair nervous. While the vibe might make you want to stay forever, the space can get a bit cramped. You’ll likely end up eating in the food hall, which can get a little busy on weekends, so we recommend swinging by on a weekday.
ChòpnBlọk might reel you in with free samples, but we suggest sticking around for the Tobe Nwigwe records, tongue-tingling yaji spices, and caramelized ajebutter popcorn. Even though it’s a Post Market food stall next to dozens of others, ChòpnBlọk is a destination restaurant.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Liz Silva
Trad
photo credit: Liz Silva
Golden Bowl
photo credit: Liz Silva
Green & Tings
photo credit: Liz Silva
Minnie Pies
photo credit: Liz Silva
Oga Palmer