My Ethiopian Experience

Today, I tried Ethiopian food for the first time and it was amazing. But before I share the details of my experience, I’d love to share my notes on what I thought it was going to be like.

About a week ago, I decided I wanted to finally try Ethiopian food. For years I have passed by an Ethiopian restaurant right on Flushing Avenue and never went in. A few friends of mine that have tried the place told me the food was amazing.

Growing up in Bushwick, I was accustomed to eating Puerto Rican food at my great-grandmother's house or trying anything close to the culture.

I researched before going to the restaurant thinking I would be prepared to try something new.

Here is what I found:

• The food has Mediterranean spices
• One has to eat with their right hand because the left hand is considered dirty
• Big share plate like the Injera is eaten with friends and family you trust. This form of eating is meant to bond people together.
• Most of their foods are plant-based

Some Ethiopian main dishes to try are:

• Kitfo - Ethiopian steak tartar
• Tibs - Ethiopian beef stew
• Doro (slow cooked chicken stew)
• Injera - famous Ethiopian flatbread
• Fuul - a National Egyptian dish
• Sambusa (West African empanada)

When I got to the restaurant with my friend, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming. They played traditional African music, displayed African art, and surrounded the restaurant with plants. As a plant mom myself, I felt like I was at home.

When I got the menu, I realized right then and there that nothing that I wrote down to try was on the menu.

We came in for their brunch and decided the go with the Habesha Breakfast which came with an option of choosing their Duba Firfir the was their spicy spread option or their Alichua Yater option which was the non-spicy. I went with the SPICY!

The dish also came with Butecha, a vegan scramble that entailed a ground chickpea stuffing mixed with ginger, garlic, onion, and peppers.

I was also able to try their Nigella Fritters, which was their signature flaxseed and sesame seed bread, and Bamya Dinch.

I must confess, the Bamya Dinch was terrific, they sautéed okra (my first time having it) and potatoes with herbs and spices and it was on the money.

My experience of having the Habesha Breakfast was amazing. I asked the waiter what made their dish “spicy’ and he showed me on the menu Ethiopian red pepper called gebeya from the brand called Berbere. It is an African spice imported and sold on their website.

The food was amazing, it was sweet, tender, flavorful, and refreshing. I loved tasting all the different vegetables and spices like garlic, turmeric and ginger come together. Every bite had me coming back for more.

If you are ever in Bushwick be sure to stop by Bunna Cafe. 10/10 most definitely recommend.