Have any of you eaten Somalian food?

Yes, if you have eaten Ethiopian,, you already know Horn of Africa foods

They use interesting spices with chicken, lamb, goat, and some fish. If a stew-like dish, tear up injera bread (soft, spongy) to scoop up the food with your fingers. There is a flatbread too, like chappati. Being influenced by other countries, you may get curries, rice, and spaghetti. Drink coffee or the spiced tea (kind of a chai latte). Be sure to order sambusi, aka sambuusa or samosa. (My students used to bring me sambusi regularly. Being retired five years, I miss those.)
Oh, you may get a banana to eat with your meal. Consider it a condiment. If you like some heat, get the green sauce. If you aren't sure, just ask what most Americans like in this restaurant. I think you will find the owners delighted that you are came with an open mind

 
A side note: I understood that Somali is preferred over Somalian

One person is Somali, plural persons are Somalis, the language is Somali, and the country is Somalia. My students rolled their eyes over being called Somalian. That seems to have been created by Westerners who use English rules for nationalities from countries ending with a or ia.
On the other hand, some did adopt the term Somalian to avoid correcting well-meaning Americans.
I apologize if I am preaching instead of explaining.

 
I thought it was more or less like Ethiopian too, but looking at photos from the restaurant

And some recipe websites, this is not just injera with stews like I am familiar with at Ethiopian restaurants.

 
No, but I did eat a wonderful meal at an Ethiopian restaurant with a native Ethiopian

who ordered for me and explained all the dishes.

Absolutely wonderful meal.

Unfortunately, it left me empty inside. All. The. Next. Day.

God, they like their food spicy.

 
So I guess they prefer "Somali food"? "Somalian" becomes an adjective when used with food.

But the point that they are "Somali people" is well taken, I guess. There are a lot of countries ending in "ia" as you state, and it really needs to have an "n" added to make it understandable--Bulgarian, Romaninan, etc.
Interesting point, but maybe a specific. I do know it is the "Somali Peninsula". And I gave a contribution to the Children's Defense Fund for the Somali crisis. It is AWFUL what is happening.

 
Do tell more, for those who've not yet dabbled in Ethiopian cuisines....

please describe...what do you like?....what do you recommend?....tell us more. smileys/smile.gif

 
I hope the link to the photo works. This is how my Eritrean neighbors give us a taste...

...of their traditional food. (Eritrea is a small country that split from Ethiopia a few decades ago. Very similar, if not identical, cuisine.)

You get a large (18" or more in diameter) sour, rubbery 'pancake'. You tear off a piece of that and use it to pick up a bite of various meat and/or veggie concoctions that are usually VERY spicy, hot and delicious.

I like it. My wife? Not so much. It is a very different spice profile, but when done well, it is quite good.

M

http://mlisstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ethiopian-cuisine.jpg

 
Michael's picture looks like our dinner at one of our Ehiopian restos recently.

And all just SO delicious. We had goat in one. The injera is addictive. DSIL made some one time also.
We have an Ethiopian grocery--DDIL went to arm herself to make their dinner. Good stuff.

 
Pat, we did not enjoy our Ethiopian meal

but that was over 30 years ago at a newly opened Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Detroit - since closed. We found the sour sponge pancake did not complement the well done casserole-type fillings. There is a popular place nearby now but we have not been motivated to try again with so many other choices available. Colleen

 
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