Asabet

Asabet is the restaurant of Yohanis Gebreyesus, the best-known Ethiopian chef of his generation. He became a household name in Ethiopia through his cooking show Chef Yohanis Qegnet on the EBS channel, which ran to more than 88 half-hour episodes exploring the culinary traditions of different regions, and his cookbook on Ethiopia's native dishes won both a James Beard Award and the IACP Julia Child First Book Award. Asabet, whose name means fish house in Amharic, and his earlier restaurant Weyra opened in 2020 and 2021.

The concept is unusual for a country best known abroad for its meat stews and vegetable platters. Asabet is a seafood restaurant built around Ethiopian lake fish. The chef points out that the country's lakes and rivers hold more than 200 local species, most of which rarely reach restaurant menus, and the kitchen sets out to show what they can do. One signature approach is to prepare arowana so that it resembles a rack of lamb. The cooking mixes local ingredients and spices with international technique, so expect modern plating rather than shared injera platters.

The restaurant is in the Lucky Building in the area that shares its name, and its Sunday all-you-can-eat buffet is a popular way to try a wide range of dishes in one sitting. For a first visit, ask staff which fish and preparations they recommend, as many of the species will be new even to Ethiopian diners.

Asabet suits food lovers who have already tried the classic Ethiopian dishes and want to see where modern Ethiopian cooking is heading, as well as pescatarians, who are otherwise limited to fasting dishes in many traditional restaurants. It is also a good choice for a smarter dinner or a celebratory lunch. Booking ahead is wise, particularly for the Sunday buffet.

If the chef's cooking inspires you, his cookbook is the best way to take Ethiopian home cooking back with you. For a contrast within the same trip, pair a dinner here with a traditional night at Yod Abyssinia or 2000 Habesha, where the focus is on the classic national dishes and live music.