Somalian & Ethiopian Cuisine

Sambusa & Tuna Cutlets

Ethiopian Anjeero

Halib Ari

We went to Somali Restaurant called "Gendershe" in Anaheim this weekend. We started with some appetizers called "sambusa" and tuna cutlets. I liked sambusa especially. It's made of ground beef, chopped vegetables flavored with lots of spices that are all wrapped nicely inside the deep fried crunchy triangle. Green sauce called bizbaz was super spicy but addictive. The owner lady told us that the main difference between Somali food and Ethiopian food is that Somali meals are served with rice or pasta, while Ethiopian meals come with a bit sour sponge like bread called anjeero that you wrap everything in. We wanted to have a taste of both so these are what we ordered: "Ethiopian Anjeero" & "Halib Ari".  One thing that I noticed was that they use a lot of spices like cumin, cardamom, and garlic that makes it somewhat similar to Indian food. I liked both meals. Although we were so full, we had to try "Somali Tea". Oh my.....! It was such flavorful tea. I tasted the strong and sweet cinnamon taste but didn't know what else was in it. Apparently it also contains clovers and peppercorns. Although we were completely full in the end, it didn't give us any heartburn feeling. I wish the place was close enough so I can have sambusa & tea as a snack often!

週末は、『ジェンダーシェ』というアナハイムのソマリアレストランへ行ってきました。手始めにツナカツレツとサンブサという前菜を頼んでみたのですが、特にサンブサが好きになりました。ビーフの挽き肉と細かく刻んだ野菜が色んなスパイスでしっかりと味付けされており、三角の皮に包まれていい具合にパリパリに揚げられています。ビズバズという緑のソースはとってもスパイシーなのですが、クセになりそうなかんじ。オーナーの女性によると、ソマリアとお隣のエチオピアのお料理の主な違いはというと、ソマリア料理はライスとパスタが添えられるのに対し、ソマリア料理はアンジロというちょっぴりすっぱいスポンジのようなパンになんでも包んで食べるとのこと。どちらも試してみたかったので、『エチオピアン・アンジロ』と『ハリブ・アリ』を選んでみました。クミン、カルダモン、ガーリックなどをふんだんに使っているのが特徴的で、どこかインド料理を思わせる風味。最後はお腹がはちきれんばかりでしたが、胸やけなどはまったくありませんでした。もっと近かったらおやつにサンブサとお茶をいただきに通いたいかんじです！