Somali London Restaurant .... Ilaahow na astur

[Kamaaludeen Al Reewin]

Also

I hear they sell 'MANGO LASSI'... a Hindi drink in 'Somali restaurants' in the UK. Meanwhile, Mangos grow in Somalia and we have our own fruit drinks.

I can't wait for a true revival of Somali culture, food and language.

I wouldn't say that's even a bad thing. Especially if they dont claim it as authentic Somali cuisine.

I think the worst thing these social media Somali restaurants do is when they self depricate for views. I don't understand why they would do that just for some income which will not even be that much

 

[gasara]

I wouldn't say that's even a bad thing. Especially if they dont claim it as authentic Somali cuisine.

I think the worst thing these social media Somali restaurants do is when they self depricate for views. I don't understand why they would do that just for some income which will not even be that much

If I'm going to a Somali restaurant I'm there to eat Somali food though. Yeah self deprecating is very weird though.

 

[𐒁𐒚𐒒𐒂𐒘𐒂𐒗 𐒎𐒚𐒗𐒗𐒒]

If I'm going to a Somali restaurant I'm there to eat Somali food though.

That's right.

Not to eat Humus with oodkac, or moos
Not to have 'Haneed'

And certainly, NOT, MANGO LASSI.

I should start ignoring Somali content on social media, waa madax xanuun iyo ceeb.

 

[Nur_]

The only somali restaurants that I respect that have a online presence is Sabib and Al.Kahf. The rest do these stupid trends where they mock Somalis for views and do self depricating stuff.

Why cant they be like Sabib or Al Kahf that recognised for their quality of food and service. Instead of just propogating stupid stereotypes of somals.

That Damal annoys me so much. They make a fool out of themselves and I hear it isn't even somali owned (though I may be wrong)

 

[Nur_]

That's right.

Not to eat Humus with oodkac, or moos
Not to have 'Haneed'

And certainly, NOT, MANGO LASSI.

I should start ignoring Somali content on social media, waa madax xanuun iyo ceeb.

I'm not 100% sure but I've heard Mango lassi or something similar to it is drunk down in southern Somalia? I will have to make sure. I wish they'd at least change the name and make it a little more unique so it isn't identical. Many cuisines start adapting to local audiences when abroad which is normal but ours is not done in a tasteful manner.


I'm surprised no one has tried Hiliib and Fries or something. That would make a cool "fusion" dish while still seeming tasteful. Or possibly Bajiya in a sandwich like falafel. There are tasteful ways to incorporate new cuisines and experiment without seeming like some kind of culture vultures and maintaining authenticity. Many cultures do this normally, I don't know why our people need to make up disgusting foods like banana hummus.


I just remembered but why do these restaurants insist on marketing their food as a blend of cultures. Just call it Somali and move.

 

[Nur_]

Wait is he even Somali? He keeps saying Somalian.

 

[EainA2]

That guy is desperate, doing everything under the sun to drum up business. But there's something about him that just makes him unlikable, and you can tell he's very greedy

 

[EainA2]

When he speaks Somali, he sounds like he's from Mogadishu. But when he speaks English, it sounds Habashi.

He's a reer xamar who's likely been here for years and never improved his English.

 

[Nur_]

He's a reer xamar who's likely been here for years and never improved his English.

I'm nor a native speaker so I find ir hard to tell but something about his accent sounds off. My Hooyo isn't reer xamar but she grew up there and so did much of my family. Something about him sounds off to me.

 

[Nur_]

That guy is desperate, doing everything under the sun to drum up business. But there's something about him that just makes him unlikable, and you can tell he's very greedy

I hate how Somalis always use their ethnicity to make money. You don't see other groups use their ethnicity as PR. It's so weird.

 

[zeilaprime]

What happened to bullying? Some Somalis have a humiliation fetish and we need to bully them for the good of the community.

 

[Abdirazaq]

I don't understand the hate, there's so many fusion food restaurants out there that pretend they're authentic, that also do silly advertising and most people from said ethnicity simply don't care cause they're not afraid of what “other” people are going to think of them, let go of the embarrassment mindset, nobody cares how some guy is advertising his business they move on with their day.

I don't see him doing anything haram, so may Allah bless this mans business.

The guy with futo weyn adverts were horrible, those needed to be shut down.

 

[Garaad.XIV]

I don't understand the hate, there's so many fusion food restaurants out there that pretend they're authentic, that also do silly advertising and most people from said ethnicity simply don't care cause they're not afraid of what “other” people are going to think of them, let of the embarrassment mindset, nobody cares how some guy is advertising his business they move on with their day.

I don't see him doing anything haram, so may Allah bless this mans business.

The guy with with futo weyn adverts were horrible, those needed to be shut down.

The issue is that he mixes banana with hummus and labels it as Somali-style. Most Somalis typically eat bananas with rice or pasta, not hummus. Claiming this combination as Somali creates a false stereotype.

 

[Abdirazaq]

The issue is that he mixes banana with hummus and labels it as Somali-style. Most Somalis typically eat bananas with rice or pasta, not hummus. Claiming this combination as Somali creates a false stereotype.

That's called fusion food and its been a trend for a while, all types do it.

I don't get the hate for this guy. I've seen some accusations that he's a larper (not Somali) that's just wild and extremely toxic.

 

[Garaad.XIV]

That's called fusion food and its been a trend for a while, all types do it.

I don't get the hate for this guy. I've seen some accusations that he's a larper (not Somali) that's just wild and extremely toxic.

Fusion cuisine blends elements from different culinary traditions, so I have no issue with him mixing banana with hummus. The problem is calling it "Somali-style hummus." Hummus isn't Somali, and simply adding banana doesn't make a dish Somali.

He is promoting a false stereotype that Somalis add bananas to everything.

 

[Abdirazaq]

Fusion cuisine blends elements from different culinary traditions, so I have no issue with him mixing banana with hummus. The problem is calling it "Somali-style hummus." Hummus isn't Somali, and simply adding banana doesn't make a dish Somali.

He is promoting a false stereotype that Somalis add bananas to everything.

True, but again its not that deep. If you went into his restaurant and naturally discovered the Somali style hummus he made would you get offened? It might not be accurate advertising in terms of cuisine but I doubt most people care regardless, if it tastes good it tastes good.

Also if you have an issue with it make a more legit Somali fusion cuisine restaurant and let yourself be an example to others. Again I don't understand why anyone would care about this.

 

[Garaad.XIV]

True, but again its not that deep. If you went into his restaurant and naturally discovered the Somali style hummus he made would you get offened? It might not be accurate advertising in terms of cuisine but I doubt most people care regardless, if it tastes good it tastes good.

Also if you have an issue with it make a more legit Somali fusion cuisine restaurant and let yourself be an example to others. Again I don't understand why anyone would care about this.

Yes, I would be offended and would advise the owner to change the name and remove "Somali" from it. Somali cuisine is rich and diverse, and I don’t want people to have the wrong impression of it. Somali cuisine is not just about bananas.

Lately, many Somalis on social media have been making ridiculous videos where they add bananas to various dishes and call them "Somali." For example, someone put a banana in a burger and called it a "Somali burger." I would rather people not know about Somali cuisine at all than have them falsely believe that Somali food is just about adding bananas to everything.

 

[JamalFarah]

That's called fusion food and its been a trend for a while, all types do it.

I don't get the hate for this guy. I've seen some accusations that he's a larper (not Somali) that's just wild and extremely toxic.

Ask yourself this: what is the intention behind this? Is putting a banana on a burger fusion food? Is creating inedible monstrosities fusion food? Are the comment sections filled with people excited to try it, or are they filled with people saying, "Somalis are so crazy!! They add BANANA to EVERYTHING!"

These restaurant owners are putting on the equivalent of a minstrel show just to sell a few more plates of food.

You know what real fusion food is? The California roll or Korean fried chicken. And guess what, you never see restaurant owners making a spectacle of themselves to sell those. There is no stigma or negativity around those foods and the people who make them.

If an Asian business owner made jokey videos about cat or dog burgers, they would be absolutely annihilated off the internet for pandering to racist stereotypes.