Submitted by Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine
Bellingham will have its first Ethiopian restaurant when Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine opens on Saturday, November 8 inside the Bellingham Public Market.
After nine years of running her popular and beloved food stand at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market, Mulunesh Belay is opening a restaurant where customers can find a variety of authentic Ethiopian dishes including all the usual farmer’s market favorites. Expect to find delicacies like Ethiopian chicken stew and spicy lentils atop the signature steamed sourdough pancake known as injera.
“I want to share my people’s food,” said Mulunesh, who is also known as Mulu. “I am so, so happy. This is my dream.”
Mulu began learning to cook at her mother’s knee in the village of Gindeberet, Ethiopia. They worked in an open-air house with no electricity or running water. Mulu had to fetch water, cook over a fire, and walk 30 minutes to gather firewood. At age 15, the family moved to the town of Ambo, Ethiopia, where she and her family had electricity and running water. It is the town after which her restaurant is named.
Traditionally, a family sits around a large platter on which there is a huge round of injera, on top of which are fragrant mounds of spiced meats and vegetables. Rather than using a fork and knife, diners tear off pieces of the injera and use them to scoop up the delicious morsels of food. At Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine, Mulu will offer traditional food served in individual-sized portions and everyone is welcome to use the restaurant’s forks, knives and spoons!
Hours will be 11 am until 8 pm Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine will be in the Public Market at 1539 Cornwall Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Seven Loaves Pizza.
For more information, visit amboethiopiancuisine.wordpress.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook.
