The London Traveler

Eat Ethiopian

by Andrea on April 3rd, 2008

We’re used to being multicultural in London, particularly when we eat. Chinese and Indian are staples of the ‘English diet’, so’s pizza and spaghetti; Vietnamese in Hoxton, Turkish in Stoke Newingon, Lebanese off the Edgware Road, and sushi everywhere. It’s easy to get blasé.

But Ethiopian food? That’s a bit unusual even for London. (In fact I’d only ever eaten Ethiopian before in New York.)

The base of everything is a huge piece of bread called injeera - so soft that it’s almost a pancake - which covers the entire table. Your meat and veg are tipped out on to this, and you tear bits of bread to pick up your food with.

Raw meat is definitely on the menu; according to one Victorian traveller I’ve read,  Ethiopians were once renowned for carving bits off living steers to eat. But there are also fried and stewed dishes including doro wot, a spicy chicken dish.

It’s spicy food, but not hot - not so much chili as aromatic spices.  And there are quite a few vegetarian choices too, so I’d feel happy taking veggie friends out to eat Ethiopian, despite the obvious carnivorous appeal of Ethiopian steak tartare.

You have two choices near King’s Cross, both on Caledonian Road. First up is the Addis at number 44. Don’t expect kitsch views of ancient Ethiopia - this is Afro-pop territory, decorated in warm yellow and orange. Relaxed little place.

At number 277 is Menelik,which I’d slightly prefer - and you get some cracking Ethiopian pop here at weekends sometimes. Infectious dancy-dancy stuff with what sounds like a samba beat.

Best of all news, you’ll be expanding your culinary world without breaking the bank - neither of these restaurants costs more than a regular curry out or a typical Chinese.

And since Ethiopia is a major coffee producing country, you should expect something a bit better than Nescaff to end your evening!

42 Caledonian Road (King’s Cross tube or 73 bus)

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POSTED IN: Food & Beverage, Uncategorized