Alleamin African Kitchen is a cozy restaurant in Portland, OR, specializing in serving authentic African cuisine. Located at Photos485 SE 185th Ave Ste 105, Portland, OR 97233, it has garnered positive reviews and a loyal following.
A vibrant display of African cuisine, showcasing the rich diversity of flavors and ingredients.
A Journey from Somalia to Portland
Alleamin African Kitchen owner Khadro Abdi is a refugee from Somalia who came to Portland in 2005. A married mother of two children, she dreamed of sharing her culture and food with others. Khadro first started by working with small business supports like Prosper Portland’s Inclusive Business Resource Network to bottle her unique hot sauce and sell it in stores across Portland in 2017. After that success, in the midst of the pandemic, she opened Alleamin African Kitchen to showcase the delicious foods of her homeland.
Customer Reviews and Experiences
Customers have praised Alleamin African Kitchen for its authentic flavors and exceptional service. Here are some highlights from the reviews:
- "The food was amazing! Not sure the name of it but it was chicken with rice. The spices are incredible. The service was great! Also the smoothies are really good."
- "This was my first experience eating African Food, and I was very impressed. I ordered Lamb Chops, rice and salad. The Lamb Chops were remarkable, some of the best I have ever tasted. The rice..."
- "We had their food at the Woodlawn farmers market and it was some of the best food I've ever had. I wasn't even hungry but when I tried my partner's food, I had to go back to get some to go. I wish..."
A Staple at the Hollywood Farmers Market
Alleamin African Kitchen is a staple at the Hollywood Farmers Market in Northeast Portland on Saturdays, serving giant, freshly fried Somali sambusas stuffed with lentils and veggies.
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Exploring African Cuisine in Portland
It’s impossible to overstate the diversity of African cuisine - and the influence it’s had on food all over the world. In Portland, where Black Americans are about 6% of the population - including a small but vibrant community of African immigrants - you’ll find restaurants from much of the continent. Look for restaurants specializing in cuisine from Ghana or Ethiopia, and countries where immigrants settled, like Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba. You’ll also recognize many similarities in American soul food, which is rooted in West Africa.
A map highlighting the diverse culinary regions of Africa, showcasing the variety of flavors and ingredients.
Here are some other African and African-inspired restaurants you can find in Portland:
- Akâdi: Since its opening in 2017, Southeast Portland’s Akâdi has made a name for itself as Portland’s destination West African restaurant, featured on “Top Chef” and in the New York Times. Owner Fatou Ouattara hails from the Ivory Coast, and the country’s national dish - attieke, or grated cassava root - comes with a whole fish, a showstopping plate. The menu also features dishes from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria. Sip on South African wine, or cocktails made with fruit like soursop and bissap (hibiscus).
- Kabba’s Kitchen: Kabba’s Kitchen, which specializes in Senegalese food, has a food cart in Northeast and a food-court stall in Southeast Portland. Favorites include grilled lamb slathered in mustard and onions, and vegan cassava root with black beans in tomato sauce. Pair everything with hibiscus juice.
- Abyssinian Kitchen: Indulge in Ethiopian and Eritrean food at Abyssinian Kitchen. At Abyssinian Kitchen, order the shiro, a smooth, rich blend of spiced powdered chickpeas served in a clay pot, or the key sir, roasted beets with crumbled cheese.
- Amaye International Restaurant: At the newly opened Amaye International Restaurant in Northeast Portland, you’ll find Somali fried fish with cornmeal and goat stew with spaghetti.
- Kann: Kann has been one of Portland’s most buzzed-about fine-dining experiences since the restaurant opened in 2022, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet. This is Gourdet’s gluten- and dairy-free take on modern Haitian cuisine, including Haiti’s national dish, griyo - twice-cooked pork with plantains - and vegetable sides like rich, peanut-creamed collard greens.
Where to eat West African food in Portland
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