Summary
By far the best food we tried while cycling Africa was in Ethiopia. When we came back to Canada, we made a point of finding an Ethiopian restaurant to enjoy an authentic experience while eating delicious Ethiopian food. Eating Ethiopian isn’t just about the cuisine; it’s about the experience. While we can’t travel to Ethiopia at the moment due to civil unrest and government instability, we can search for places to enjoy Ethiopian food or even try our hand at making it at home.
If you want to sample Ethiopian dishes in your local area, you’ll quickly discover that Ethiopian food is one of the most exciting cuisines out there.
What is Ethiopian Food Like?
Distinctive and delicious, food in Ethiopia is a perfect representation of a country rich in cultural heritage that stands apart from the rest of Africa. Although Ethiopian cuisine is becoming increasingly well-known globally, it’s still regarded as one of the world’s best-kept culinary secrets.
If you’re yet to try Ethiopian food, you’re in for a treat. However, it’s not just the flavors and combinations that make Ethiopian dishes special; it’s also the presentation, vibrant colors, ceremonial aspects, and communal spirit that eating Ethiopian-style involves. Are you ready to ditch the cutlery and dig in? Let’s explore some of the best Ethiopian food to try at home or abroad!
About Ethiopian Food
Spices, stews, and curries are prominent features in Ethiopian cuisine. The most distinctive attribute is how these dishes are presented on top of a giant pancake-like bread called injera, which serves as both the meal’s plate and utensils. Diners tear off pieces of injera with their hands to scoop up the food. Remember, if you’re in Ethiopia, try to eat only with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean by Ethiopians.
Apart from a delicious array of meat dishes, Ethiopia offers numerous vegetarian and vegan options. For religious reasons, many Ethiopians avoid certain foods like shellfish and pork, while followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church observe vegetarian diets on Wednesdays, Fridays, and throughout the Lent period.
1. Injera
This spongy bread is a cornerstone of nearly all Ethiopian meals. When made in the traditional way with 100-percent tef flour, the bread is naturally gluten-free and vegan.
You might find injera slightly bitter, tangy, or even slightly sour if you were expecting something like Indian naan bread. However, injera complements the flavorful dishes and spicy combinations that Ethiopians enjoy. If you want to make your own injera at home, check out this delicious recipe.
2. Sambusa
For anyone who travels for food, discovering new street eats is incredibly appealing. Although most Ethiopian food is quite ceremonial, sambusas—the Ethiopian equivalent of samosas—are a common street food you’ll want to try if you visit the country. These deep-fried pockets of dough are usually filled with either seasoned ground beef or spiced lentils.
3. Doro Wat
Wat, also spelled as wot, is one of the most common terms regarding food in Ethiopia. This general term refers to a stew that combines spices, meats, and vegetables.
Among the various types of wat, doro wat is the most popular. This spicy stew combines chicken, hard-boiled eggs, tomato paste, garlic, caramelized onions, and ginger. Considered an Ethiopian national dish, doro wat is often served as part of a communal platter that includes a range of dishes and sides. Try it tonight with this recipe.
4. Genfo
Genfo is a typical Ethiopian breakfast, consisting of porridge made from barley or wheat flour, accompanied by a sauce made from berbere and niter kibbeh. This dish is typically presented as a mound with the butter and spice mixture in the center for dipping. Like many Ethiopian dishes, genfo is often eaten communally by hand, though using a fork or spoon is also acceptable.
5. Kik Alicha
If you don’t have a high tolerance for spicy food, kik alicha is a great option. This Ethiopian stew contains split peas, niter kibbeh (Ethiopian-spiced clarified butter), and turmeric. Unlike many Ethiopian dishes, it doesn’t include the spicy berbere that gives dishes like doro wat their signature kick.
6. Misir Wat
For a vegetarian dish with a bit of spice, misir wat is an excellent choice. This fiery stew is made with red lentils, berbere, niter kibbeh, garlic, onions, and tomato paste. Often served as part of a vegetarian or mixed platter, misir wat is best enjoyed with good company and plenty of injera.
7. Tibs
Tibs is another must-try food in Ethiopia, referring to various cuts of beef or lamb that are pan-fried in butter, onion, and garlic. Tibs may be hot or mild and may include vegetables, depending on the specific dish and restaurant.
One of the most dramatic ways to enjoy Ethiopian food is to order shekla tibs, where the meat arrives at your table roasting in a clay pot stoked with hot coals. Although tibs is often reserved for celebrating holidays and events, you’ll see many people ordering this dish in lively bars in Addis Ababa and beyond. Make your own tibs tonight with this recipe.
8. Shiro Wat
Like doro wat, shiro wat is a popular dish that you’re likely to find on a combination platter. This dish is made from ground chickpea flour cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, chili peppers, and ginger, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture similar to hummus, perfect for pairing with shreds of injera.
9. Kitfo
If you prefer steak over stew, kitfo is a must-try. This Ethiopian beef tartare is crafted from raw minced beef flavored with niter kibbeh and a spice blend called mitmita. It’s often served with a mild cheese known as ayib or gomen (cooked greens), along with injera.
For the full experience, if you’re interested in trying the raw version, it’s best to visit an Ethiopian restaurant specializing in kitfo, such as Yohanness Kitfo in Addis Ababa. Alternatively, if you have reservations about raw meat, you can always request kitfo leb leb, which means “warmed not cooked,” or kitfo betam leb leb, meaning “very warmed,” i.e., cooked!
10. Azifa
Combining green lentils, chopped tomatoes, green chilies, and red onions, Azifa is Ethiopia’s answer to pico de gallo. Often served as part of a combination platter, this vegan and gluten-free dish is a great starting point for those who want to explore the flavors of Ethiopia without diving into spicier options.
11. Fuul
Fuul is a beloved dish not just in Ethiopia but throughout East Africa and the Middle East. It’s made from stewed and spiced fava beans, a breakfast staple for many Ethiopians. Regular fuul is single-serving, alongside an endless supply of fresh bread for dipping and eating. Special fuul, on the other hand, is large enough to share and typically includes tomato, green chili, onion, egg, yogurt, and sometimes avocado.
12. Siga Wat
Siga wat resembles doro wat but features beef instead of chicken. Thanks to the abundant use of berbere spice mix, this stew is hot and fiery; however, a milder, non-spicy version also exists. If you’re seeking a spicy kick, order keye siga wat; for the milder version, ask for alecha siga wat.
13. Chechebsa
Chechebsa, also known as fit-fit, is a popular breakfast dish in Ethiopia, although it’s one of the few dishes not eaten by hand. Instead, locals often use a spoon to enjoy a mixture of shredded and lightly fried injera and onions cooked in a spicy red sauce, served with honey and eggs, similar to Moroccan shakshuka.
14. Yetsom Beyaynetu
While Yetsom Beyaynetu isn’t a specific dish, you’ll frequently see it on restaurant menus across Ethiopia, particularly on Wednesdays and Fridays. It refers to a mixed platter of vegan dishes served with injera, with Yetsom meaning “fasting” and Beyaynetu meaning “a bit of everything.” Thus, it’s an ideal way to sample multiple meat-free Ethiopian dishes in one sitting.
15. Ethiopian Coffee
Though not a food item, coffee holds significant importance in Ethiopian culture, and thus it deserves a mention. Unlike solo takeout coffee consumption in Western societies, coffee drinking in Ethiopia is a ceremonious social event that involves washing, roasting, and grinding the beans before brewing them in a traditional clay coffee pot called a jebena. Once prepared, the host pours the coffee into cups for everyone to enjoy alongside traditional Ethiopian snacks. It’s also considered disrespectful to leave without having at least three cups since Ethiopians believe your spirit transforms after these three rounds.
Try This Ethiopian Food at Home or Abroad
If you believe it may be some time before you get the chance to travel to Ethiopia to savor these dishes with the locals, don’t worry! The rising popularity of Ethiopian food means it’s getting easier to locate Ethiopian restaurants in your local area.
All you need to do is search, “Ethiopian food near me,” and you’re sure to discover a spot where you can sample these delicious delights for yourself. Consequently, with this guide, you’ll now be better prepared regarding what to order and how to enjoy your meal!
