Portland, Maine, offers a delightful array of culinary experiences, and among them, Ethiopian cuisine stands out with its unique flavors and communal dining style. This article explores some of the Ethiopian restaurants in Portland, highlighting their offerings, ambiance, and overall dining experience.
The Essence of Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine
Eritrean cuisine, much like Ethiopian, features spiced vegetable, potato, and lentil dishes. The cuisine naturally doesn't have dairy in it. You can still ask and they will make sure. A key characteristic of both cuisines is the use of injera, a spongy flatbread made from teff flour, which serves as both the plate and the utensil. Meals are typically served on a communal injera, encouraging a shared dining experience.
As Yemane Tsegai, co-owner and manager of Red Sea Restaurant in Portland, notes, this communal aspect is integral to the culture. “It’s how you keep your culture from generation to generation or share your culture. You eat, you talk,” he said.
Red Sea Restaurant: A Taste of Authenticity
Red Sea Restaurant on Washington Avenue is a notable spot in Portland's Ethiopian food scene. The restaurant prides itself on the quality of its food. Batha, the chef, excels with her spiciest dishes, crafted using her own personal spice blends, including both dry and wet versions of traditional berbere. In her beef sambusas ($5), crispy, deep-fried triangular parcels of phyllo-style dough filled with ground beef and onion, berbere comes through with every bite, never letting you forget that you’re eating something exponentially more interesting than hamburger.
The tsebhi birsen, a loose red lentil stew, is another highlight, served on its own ($12) or as part of the colossal vegetarian sampler ($26), which is ample enough for three people. The sampler includes milder dishes like the outstanding alicha ($12), featuring slow-cooked cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. The tumtumo ($12), a thick yellow lentil stew, offers a milder flavor.
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For meat lovers, the lamb fitfit tibsi ($14), made from sauteed minced lamb and berbere with pieces of injera, is a filling option. The tsebhi dorho ($13) features chicken drumsticks and thighs simmered in a flavorful sauce. The Eritrean-style haddock ($13) stands out with its sophisticated layering of flavors.
Tsegai emphasizes that the variety in flavors comes from the quality of the ingredients and the cooking methods. “We can use the same sauce but make it taste very different because of two things: the flavor of the meat and the way we cook with the sauce,” Tsegai told me.
The restaurant also offers a relaxed dining experience. Tsegai ensures that diners feel comfortable, allowing them to chat and enjoy their meal at their own pace.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options
Many Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants offer extensive vegan and vegetarian options. Typically, these dishes include spiced vegetable, potato, and lentil preparations, often served without dairy or eggs.
For instance, the vegetarian sampler at some establishments is entirely vegan, featuring a variety of stewed bean and vegetable dishes, including cabbage and okra with potatoes. These dishes are served on a giant teff pancake, allowing diners to enjoy a completely plant-based, hands-on culinary experience.
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
Try Me Ethiopian Cuisine: A Gem in Gresham Town Fair
Located in Gresham Town Fair, Try Me Ethiopian Cuisine offers a cozy and inviting space. The restaurant features a vegetarian section, which is entirely vegan. Diners can enjoy a variety of dishes, including lentil dishes (both red and yellow), sautéed spinach, okra, and a cabbage, carrot, potato, and turmeric sauté.
The owners, an Ethiopian couple, have created a welcoming atmosphere. The husband, who previously drove a cab, is known for his sweet and accommodating nature.
Customers rave about the generous portions and authentic flavors at Try Me Ethiopian Cuisine. Meals are often shared family-style, enhancing the communal dining experience. The restaurant is praised for its clean environment and friendly service.
Customer Reviews
- "Really delicious, authentic Ethiopian food. Well worth the drive here. Every dish in our meal, which we shared family style, was delicious and became a sumptuous feast."
- "Outstanding food and value. My partner's son...ate more than he normally does in perhaps 3 days. I have never seen him enjoying food this much."
- "The food is phenomenal. The music is great. The atmosphere feels half home kitchen, half neighborhood hangout."
Reviewers consistently highlight the amazing spices, perfectly prepared injera, and generous portions that make dining at Try Me Ethiopian Cuisine a memorable experience.
Asmara Restaurant: A Fond Memory
Asmara was a small, family-run restaurant that left a lasting impression on many. A diner recalls first visiting Asmara during an African exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art. The injera bread was served to all at the table, with separate platters for those who ordered meat. The dishes were excellent, and the bread was so good that the diner learned to make it at home.
Read also: A Taste of Ethiopia in South Carolina
The fresh squeezed lemonade was a treat, and the red lentils and greens were particularly beloved. Although the restaurant was small, with limited seating, the experience was memorable.
Additional Ethiopian Restaurants in Portland
Other notable Ethiopian restaurants in Portland include:
- Enat Kitchen Restaurant: Known for its extensive mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meat-centric entrees.
- Queen of Sheba: Famous for its spicy dishes and flavorful veggie combo.
These restaurants contribute to the rich tapestry of Ethiopian cuisine available in Portland, each offering unique flavors and dining experiences.
Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to Ethiopian cuisine, Portland, Maine, offers a variety of restaurants to explore and enjoy. From the communal dining style to the complex flavors of berbere-spiced dishes, Ethiopian food provides a unique and satisfying culinary adventure.
| Restaurant | Location | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Red Sea Restaurant | Washington Avenue | Spicy dishes, vegetarian sampler |
| Try Me Ethiopian Cuisine | Gresham Town Fair | Generous portions, family-style dining |
| Enat Kitchen Restaurant | Near E’Njoni Cafe | Extensive mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meat entrees |
| Queen of Sheba | 1720 SE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233, USA | Spicy dishes, flavorful veggie combo |
