Massawa
1239 Amsterdam Avenue
See map here
Reservations recommended
Who needs forks and knives? Indulge in Ethiopian cuisine and eat with your hands! Does that gross you out? Well, you won’t even think twice about it after you have your first handful… And they give you a towel after your meal, so no excuses!
This past weekend, I went out to dinner with a group of friends to Massawa, an Ethiopian restaurant right near Columbia at 121st Street & Amsterdam.
To start, make sure you order their Ethiopian Spiced Tea. Especially with the onset of fall’s chilly weather, their hot tea was the perfect way to begin a relaxing meal. Before checking out the menu, keep in mind that the food is meant to be shared! Ask your waiter for tips and advice regarding the serving sizes.
We had difficulty choosing what to get because they offer so many yummy meat and veggie options. In the end we decided on Dereq Tebsi (blackened beef stir-fried with onions and jalapeno peppers), Timtimo (red lentils flavored with ground herbs), and Tsebhi Hamli (collard greens cooked tenderly with garlic). All platters also come with lettuce and a few vegetable different vegetables on the side.
To clarify the “eating with your hands” part, technically it’s not with your hands. You scoop up the food with Injera — “a yeast-risen flatbread with a unique, slightly spongy texture.” I best compare the taste to sourdough bread, but it’s a perfect texture and flavor to pair with any of the Ethiopian menu choices you make. And eat as much as you want of the bread because they’ll gladly bring you more!
We finished every last bite and I’m sure you’ll do the same. If the pictures don’t prove how delicious it was, take a trip to Massawa and taste for yourself!