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Ethiopian Food is one of the world’s most distinctive cuisine, befitting its remarkable history and deep-rooted cultural heritage. And while it is enjoying a lot of attention around the world these days, it has been one of the world’s best-kept secrets for so long.

As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopians have been drinking coffee (or Buna as it is known in the official language of the country – Amharic) for centuries. It is no wonder then, that they have developed a unique and very social coffee ceremony that is truly Ethiopian. In this short article, we will learn a little about the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony as it is practiced in the country everyday. The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony The whole process of the preparation and serving of Buna in Ethiopia is a unique and elaborate social affair. A typical traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony will take up to half an hour and starts with roasting of raw green coffee beans right in front of the guests by a host who is always a woman. In most homes, a dedicated coffee area is kept surrounded by fresh-picked grass and specialized traditional coffee furniture specifically for this occasion. Most households, both in cities and rural areas take the Ethiopian coffee ceremony very seriously and setting up a dedicated place for the occasion is of paramount importance. When the beans are roasted, the host will bring the pan around to all the guests so that they can enjoy the aroma. […]

There are several uniquely Ethiopian Drinks that one should try to experience, whether you have the chance to visit Ethiopia or you are in some other country and happen to find an Ethiopian Restaurant in your locale. Traditional Alcoholic Ethiopian Drinks There are several traditional alcoholic drinks that are customarily homemade by using natural ingredients. Here is a list of the most popular and wildly consumed traditional alcoholic beverages in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Drink #1: Tej Tej, is a potent honey wine or mead that is brewed and widely consumed in much of Ethiopia. It is prepared from honey and a green herb called Gesho, a very important additive in almost all of the alcoholic drinks of Ethiopia. Tej comes in varying degrees of sweetness that deceptively masks the high alcohol content of the drink. It is typically served in a rounded vase-like or beaker-like glass container called a Berele, but if you are new to the drink one Berele maybe too much. Just like any other wine, Tej can be stored for a long time; and longer it is stored, the higher the alcohol content, and the stronger the taste. Ethiopian Drink #2: Tella Tella is another popular alcoholic drink in Ethiopia. It is a traditional […]

Dabo is an Amharic term customarily used to refer to all Ethiopian breads, and it comes in several varieties, some of which are commonly consumed in everyday life, while others are specially prepared for special occasions. Dabo is typically baked on a Mitad, a traditional Ethiopian large baking pan which is also used to make Injera. Here are some of the most popular breads in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Breads #1: Difo Dabo Image Source Difo Dabo is a variation of the basic Dabo that differs from regular the regular Dabo because, when its being baked, the dough is wrapped in a large green leaf of the Enset (false banana) tree, known in Ethiopia as Koba Kitel. You can find the recipe to make Defo Dabo here. Ethiopian Breads #2: Kocho Image Source Kocho is a type of bread that is made from the trunk of the Enset tree. In some of the southern parts of Ethiopia, the trunk of the Enset tree is ground into a dough which is buried in the ground and fermented to make Kocho. Ethiopian Breads #3: Ambasha Image Source Ambasha is a very popular Dabo, which one may be able to find in Ethiopian restaurants, even those found outside of […]

A typical Ethiopian snack, is Dabo Kolo (small pieces of baked bread that are similar to pretzels) or Kolo (roasted barley sometimes mixed with other local grains). Kolo made from roasted and spiced barley, safflower kernels, chickpeas and/or peanuts are often sold by kiosks and street vendors, wrapped in a paper cone. Snacking on popcorn is also common, especially during Buna-time. Ethiopian Snack #1: Kolo Image Source Kolo is simply roasted barley, and it is Ethiopia’s go-to snack for everybody including children and adults. It is also a favorite beer snack at the end of a busy day, and it’s often served mixed with peanuts and other seeds or nuts. You can find the recipe to make Kolo here. Ethiopian Snack #2: Dabo Kolo Image Source Dabo kolo as its name may imply is not actually bread, but it is made from the same dough that makes Dabo. It’s made by preparing the dough just as you would for a bread, then roll it into long strands that are then cut into small pieces the size of a fingernail, thus the name Dabo Kolo. Then they can be fried in oil or baked over a Mitad. To make them spicy, you can douse the dough with berbere before its cut into small […]

Like all comfort foods, Ethiopian comfort foods are special types foods that are characterized by their high caloric nature, high carbohydrate level, or simple preparation methods. Moreover, they are also known to provide a nostalgic or sentimental value to a specific individual or culture. Ethiopian Comfort Foods #1: Genfo Image Source Genfo is a simple Ethiopian porridge that is commonly consumed for breakfast, made by adding dry-roasted barley flour to boiling water and stirring the concoction with a wooden utensil until it develops a smooth, yet extremely thick consistency. The porridge is then transferred to a bowl, and a hole is created in the center, which is then filled with clarified spiced butter and berbere spices. Genfo is traditionally consumed as it is, although it can be accompanied by a scoop of yogurt. You can find the recipe for Genfo here. Ethiopian Comfort Foods #2: Kikil Image Source Kikil is a mild stew with potatoes and lamb that is slowly cooked to get all the flavors from the bones. It is a great meal to use as a substitute for chicken soup offered to those feeling under the weather. Make sure the meat is nice and tender before it is served, that qualifies it as a perfect Kikil. […]

Firfir or Fitfit is a probably the most common of the Ethiopian breakfasts. It is made from shredded injera or Kita stir-fried with spices or Wot. Another popular Ethiopian breakfast dish is Fatira. The delicacy consists of a large fried pancake made with flour, often with a layer of egg. It is eaten with honey. Chechebsa (or Kita Firfir) resembles a pancake covered with berbere and Niter Kibbeh, or other spices, and may be eaten with a spoon. Genfo is a kind of porridge, which is another common breakfast dish. It is usually served in a large bowl with a dug-out made in the middle of the Genfo and filled with spiced niter kibbeh. A variation of Fuul, a fava bean stew with condiments, served with baked rolls instead of injera, is also common for breakfast. Ethiopian Breakfasts #1: Chechebsa Also known as Kita Firfir, Chechebsa is one the most common and popular breakfast dishes in Ethiopia. It is made out of sliced shreds of Kita, which is similar to India’s pita bread, and marinated with berbere. In more traditional households, it is commonly served with a side of honey and a bowl of plain yogurt. You can find the recipe for Chechebsa here. Ethiopian Breakfasts #2: Kinche Kinche is a very common Ethiopian breakfast, and it’s the equivalent of oatmeal. It is incredibly […]

Ethiopian Side-Dishes #1: Ayibe Image Source Ayibe is a cottage cheese, a fresh cheese curd product that is not aged, and is made by draining the cheese, as opposed to pressing it – retaining some of the whey (liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained), keeping the curds loose. It is often served as a side dish to soften the effect of very spicy food. It has little to no distinct taste of its own. However, when served separately, Ayibe is often mixed with a variety of mild or hot spices typical in Ethiopian cuisine. Ethiopian Side-Dishes #2: Gomen Kitfo Image Source Gomen Kitfo is another common dish in parts of Southern Ethiopia, where kale (or collard greens) are boiled, dried and then finely chopped and served with butter, chili and spices. It is a dish specially prepared for the occasion of Meskel, a very popular holiday marking the discovery of the True Cross. It is served along with Ayibe or sometimes even Kitfo. Ethiopian Side-Dishes #3: Gomen Besiga Gomen Besiga is beef or lamb simmered in copious amounts of Niter Kibbeh with collard greens and other vegetables like carrots, cabbage and onions. You can find the recipe for Gomen Besiga here. SOURCES https://migrationology.com/ethiopian-food-guide/https://uncorneredmarket.com/ethiopian-food/

Ethiopian Meat Dishes #1: Doro Wot One of the great Ethiopian meat dishes for all meat lovers, Doro Wot (chicken stew), is made with the mixture of the omnipresent Berbere, a heavy load of Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian clarified butter), chicken parts, eggs, and onions. The sauce is mostly made from onions that have been stewed down for so long, they disintegrate into a puree. The chicken comes dripping with juices and the egg is caked in flavor. In Ethiopia, Doro Wot is the go-to meal of celebration during national and religious festivals. And because it takes a long time to make, it is often only served during these holidays and on special occasions. You can find the recipe for Doro Wot here. Ethiopian Meat Dishes #2: Tibs Cubes of meat (beef, lamb or goat) stir-fried with onions, peppers and other vegetables in Niter Kibbeh. Quite often, twigs of rosemary or other herbs are added to it. Tibs can also be served spicy with some Berbere thrown in. Tibs is served in a variety of manners, and can range from hot to mild or contain little to no vegetables. There are many variations of the delicacy, depending on type, size or shape of the […]

Ethiopian food can be very vegetarian and vegan friendly since it features a selection of uniquely Ethiopian vegetarian dishes that you’ll find available at almost every Ethiopian restaurant. Vegetarians and vegans traveling to Ethiopia should consider visiting just prior to Orthodox Easter or Orthodox Christmas as you will be virtually guaranteed to find vegetarian food everywhere during these times. This is because most Ethiopians that follow the Ethiopian Orthodox religion will be fasting by forgoing forgo meat and dairy products for upwards of 50 days. Fasting dishes served during these periods are incredibly delicious, and may not always be available in restaurants during the non-fasting periods. Ethiopian Vegetarian Dishes #1: Shiro Wot Image Source Shiro Wot, or just Shiro, is arguably the one of the most commonly consumed Wot dishes in Ethiopia. It is especially popular during the fasting periods among Ethiopian Orthodox Christians as well as vegetarians & vegans who abstain from eating meat and dairy products. However, there are varieties of Shiro that are made out of butter and also have meat added to them, so remember to let your waiter know your preferences beforehand. Shiro is made from chickpea and broad bean flour, subtly spiced with garlic, […]

Whether you are vegetarian or a meat lover, the best place to begin with Ethiopian food is to order Mixed Platter Dishes at an Ethiopian Restaurant near you – meat, vegetarian, or both – so that you can sample a variety of stews (Wots) and dishes at one sitting. Although the mounds delivered to your table may individually appear small, collectively the portions are often staggeringly large. We recommend sharing a plate with others so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Although some dishes may appear regularly in mixed platters, the ones that comprise yours will likely be based on whatever happens to be cooked fresh that day. Always a tasty surprise! Mixed Platter Dishes #1: Beyainatu Image Source One of the most popular dishes in Ethiopia, especially among vegetarians, the word ‘Beyainetu’ roughly translates to “a bit of everything”. And true to its name, the dish comes with a layer of injera on a large serving platter with several tasty and colorful vegetarian dishes on top, including several types of lentil and split pea stews (e.g., Shiro Wot, Misir Wot, Alecha Kik or Mesir Kik) along with Kale (Gomen), Cabbage (Tilkil Gomon), etc. The dish is also very popular in Ethiopia, where for religious […]

As an ancient civilization built on trade with other civilizations in the region at the time, Ethiopian foods have developed a rich array of dishes and cooking techniques using several traditional ingredients. As such, Ethiopian food is full of delightful flavors that result from the mixture of numerous different spices and herbs, well-crafted over many generations to be not too spicy but very well-seasoned. Here are some of the most important traditional ingredients, spices, and seasonings that play a central role in the making of an amazing Ethiopian dish. Traditional Ingredients #1: Berbere Berbere, which is a combination of chili pepper and several other spices, herbs, and ingredients including fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom, and cinnamon, forms the backbone of flavor for many Ethiopian dishes. If you want to make your own Berbere, you can find the recipe here. Traditional Ingredients #2: Mitmita Mitmita, smaller and hotter than Berbere, is an orange-red colored powdered seasoning mix that is composed of chili peppers, cardamom seed, cloves and salt, as well as spices such as cinnamon, cumin and ginger. It is often used as a condiment to add some an extra kick to meat dishes such as tibs and Tere Siga, but can also be added in the cooking process, […]