3 Amazing Ethiopian Foods to Try

Photo: Yonatan Solomon/Wikimedia Commons

Ethiopian food is something you need to try, whether you get to travel to Ethiopia or just get a taste of this country through food. Ethiopia is an incredible country with a rich culture and cuisine, and here are three national dishes you must try.

Tibs

Tibs is a name for a dish that comes in many different forms, but typically contains strips of meat, can be mild or hot, and contain little to no vegetables. In the past, tibs was served as a sign of respect for someone, and it’s still seen as a special dish typically served for holidays.

Kifto

The essence of kifto is minced raw beef marinated in mitmita and niter kibbeh. The dish is especially loved on a difficult day—after a lot of work or traveling or when you’re dealing with a hangover.

Beyaynetu

This is the most popular vegetarian dish in Ethiopia and its name basically means “a little of every type.” It consists of a mix of vegetables and vegetarian curries served on a plate of fermented bread called injera. It’s a dish of choice for days of religious fasting—many Ethiopians abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.