As the world is opening up more and more, our area has many new eating establishments - coffee shops, cake shops, dessert shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Many of the new places offer takeout as well as DoorDash and UberEats; but please consider taking your family and friends to these new places in person. You’ll be able to get the daily specials more easily as well as consider dishes that your server can explain in more detail than the menu allows.
Recently I had a lovely dinner at the West African restaurant called Hadiani African Restaurant on 220th near Interstate 5 in Mountlake Terrace.
Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright led a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for Hadiani African Restaurant, located in the Terrace Village Shopping Center at 22003 66th Ave.
Mountlake Terrace city and business leaders joined representatives from Hadiani African Restaurant to cut the ribbon Friday, March 24. The restaurant, owned by Elhadj Diallo, opened in December.
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“It is great to see so many new businesses, including multicultural businesses, opening in Mountlake Terrace,” the mayor said.
A Family-Run Culinary Experience
Chef Kadiani Nima Diallo and her husband Elhadj Diallo opened up their place in December, right before the big ice storm. So they had a slow start but it gave them time to work out the kinks encountered by any new restaurant. Hadiani is family-run, serving West African cuisine in observance of Islamic customs.
The Diallos felt that there is a lack of places offering authentic West African cuisine and so they decided to open a place based on the foods primarily from Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. Chef Diallo loves to cook the dishes that she would serve to her own family and friends and learned many of them from her mother. The dining room is spacious and open and our food came to the table quickly. Hadiani has a bustling takeout business and you can view the menu and order online. The portions on the entrees are generous and are creatively served on wooden dishes.
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Menu Highlights and Specialties
Let's delve into some of the culinary delights that Hadiani African Restaurant has to offer. Here are some of the standout dishes that capture the essence of West African flavors:
- Garlic Shrimp (Guinea recipe): Sampled the Garlic Shrimp entree (Guinea recipe), which was accompanied by jasmine rice and a side salad ($18.99). The shrimp was flavorful without being overpowered by garlic.
- Braised Chicken (Cote d’Ivoire): One of our favorite dishes was the Braised Chicken from the Cote d’Ivoire ($16.99). It was accompanied by a cooked tomato sauce, tomato and cucumber salad, and attieke, which is made from fermented cassava flour and has a couscous-like texture.
- Fish with Attieke: Fish with attieke (traditional couscous made with cassava) is among the specialties.
- Shrimp Plantain Skewers: Another popular dish is shrimp plantain skewers.
- Fufu with Okra Sauce: We wanted to try something that was more unfamiliar to our palates and so we had an order of Fufu with a okra sauce that had tomatoes, plantain, fish and beef as part of the mix. Traditionally, Fufu is made with cassava flour but Chef Diallo makes hers with all-purpose flour, lime juice and salt. The order includes two meatball-sized pieces and a dish of the sauce. You eat it by picking off a piece of the Fufu and dipping it into the sauce.
Here's a summary of the dishes mentioned:
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| Dish | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic Shrimp (Guinea recipe) | Served with jasmine rice and a side salad | $18.99 |
| Braised Chicken (Cote d’Ivoire) | Served with tomato sauce, tomato and cucumber salad, and attieke | $16.99 |
| Fufu with Okra Sauce | Okra sauce with tomatoes, plantain, fish, and beef | N/A |
Important Note for Diners with Dietary Restrictions
The food here is good, but beware: the fufu is made with all-purpose wheat flour. I didn’t ask enough questions, and assumed it was cassava flour (the menu does say they are made with flour, but not the kind). I found out it was wheat after eating a few bites and asking about some meatballs that were unexpectedly in my peanut butter sauce, and he said, “No, but the fufu is made with white flour.” Sigh. I usually ask more questions, but I didn’t even know that wheat flour fufu was a thing. I don’t hold it against them at all, it was really my own fault. Honestly, the meatballs tasted store bought and probably had gluten too. I’m only leaving this review because I love their food and I want other people to eat here safely. I usually get thiebouyapp, which is really good, but they were out. The Afra Lamb is also really good.
Location and Contact Information
Hadiani African Restaurant is located at 22003 66th Ave in Mountlake Terrace. It is situated in the Terrace Village Shopping Center, making it easily accessible.
Mayor Matsumoto Wright was joined in the celebration by Mayor Pro Tem Bryan Wahl and Councilmembers Erin Murray, Rory Paine-Donovan and Steve Woodard.
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