It pains me to explain that as a white Irish guy living in the UK for maybe 20 years, it's only in the last couple of years that I've really become interested, and indeed passionate, about exploring some of the world of food that's been available on my (various) doorsteps for so long.
I've eaten all sorts of things that were exciting and new to me in the last couple of years.
I'm still squeamish about some things – brain and tripe come to mind, but I'll try most things (and accidentally I ate and enjoyed deep fried tripe in New Cross a few months back – it's the soft stuff and soup I need to work on).
Anyway, on to my thought and possible reccomendation. Somali and Yemeni food, or at least the two meals I've had, have been incredible. I first tried Somali food at Yogiz, on the Romford Road in east London – these are the first 3 photos with the post. Lamb Mandhi… I might never recover. I'd read about a banana that's served with meals, there was also the veggie soup which comes as part of the meal but that as newcomers we were surprised by. The woman waiting the table said we could ask for more rice if we wanted it when the meal came… we couldn't finish our first plate -foil tray time, again [Note: if you're trying a new cuisine and order a bit too much to eat in one go, the vast majority of places we've been too are happy to put it in a takeaway box for you to take home]
SomYem, in deepest west London (for me, at least, it's W7 and I'm travelling from IG8) was an interesting affair.. The name comes from Somalia and Yemen run together – SomYem. When we turned up it felt like we were walking into and then sitting in someone's front room. An old boy hanging around (maybe the owner?) called me Lord Palmerston and my other half Queen Victoria. To this day we're about 90% confident that that was a compliment. I placated my Irish Republican tendencies with the thought of the food to come (from photo 4 onwards).
More rice, more lamb, more banana, more incredible veggie soup. I was suitably placated..
To my poorly educated palette, the first Somali at Yogiz had a lot of common with the Somali/Yemeni affair at SomYem. This food was delicious, and very gentle on the palette. It's like a big lamb-meaty hug, with rice and all sorts of delicious herbs and spices.
If you want a foodie resolution for 2025, try Somali (or Somali/Yemeni)
More on Mandhi: https://stewwithsaba.com/lamb-mutton-mandi/
by pdarigan