Branden Cha recommends Abinet, a restaurant serving authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine on the edge of Chinatown.
“Make sure you go with an empty belly, ‘cause you’ll leave with a full one,” says self-taught, Korean street artist, who designs under the name Busyrawk.
With a group of friends, he shared a mix of dishes: Dulet, a mixture of kidney, liver and spices; Lamb Lega Tibs (Cha’s personal favourite), beef stewed with onion, green pepper and spices; and Kitfo, ground beef with cheese, chilies and kale. The heavily spiced, richly flavoured dishes were served on injera, a fermented spongy bread used as a scoop to eat with your hands.
Cha says, “the flavour of the stews and the lightly sour fermented bread complemented each other — the whole thing was an experience.”
He likens it to eating at an auntie’s house where you’re the celebrated company. Sitting at a long table and sharing food off large platters, his group was surrounded by unpretentious but colourful decor. The meal was unhurried, and they feasted until they couldn’t feast any longer: “If I’d had room for more, I’d have it.”
Abinet Family Restaurant & Catering
McCauley | 9642 107 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780.244.1974
Hair and makeup by Tiiu Vuorensola
This article appears in the Jul/Aug 2024 issue of Edify
