A Beginner's Guide to Ethiopian Food: What to Expect and What to Try First

Your First Bite into a Bold Culinary Tradition

Curious about Ethiopian food but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. At Queen of Sheba in Addison, we often meet first-time guests who are excited to explore new flavors, but unsure where to start.

This beginner’s guide is here to walk you through everything you need to know before your first bite: how the food is served, what dishes are must-tries, and how Ethiopian dining is as much about community as it is about taste.

What Makes Ethiopian Cuisine Unique?

Ethiopian food is all about bold spices, slow-cooked stews, and shared platters. It’s flavorful, colorful, and naturally accommodating to both meat-lovers and vegans.

The star of the show is injera, a spongy, sour flatbread made from fermented teff flour. It serves as your plate, utensil, and side dish all in one. You use it to scoop up a variety of richly spiced dishes known as wot (stews) and tibs (sautéed meats or veggies).

How Meals Are Served

In Ethiopia, food is meant to be shared. A typical meal is served family-style on a large round platter lined with injera. You’ll receive multiple dishes on one tray: lentils, greens, meats, chickpeas, and more all arranged beautifully and eaten communally.

Pro tip: No forks required! Eating with your hands is part of the cultural experience (though utensils are available if preferred).

What to Try First: The Must-Taste Dishes

If it’s your first time, here are the best beginner-friendly picks at Queen of Sheba in Addison:

• Missir Wot: Spicy red lentil stew, vegan and deeply satisfying (vegan).

• Doro Wot: Ethiopia’s national dish of chicken drumsticks stewed in berbere sauce with a hard-boiled egg.

• Gomen: Slow-cooked greens with garlic and onions (vegan).

• Beef Tibs: Sautéed beef cubes with garlic, onion, peppers, and Ethiopian spices.

• Vegan Combo Platter: A sampler of several plant-based stews and sides served with injera.

  
  

For Vegan & Gluten-Free Diners

Ethiopian cuisine is one of the most naturally vegan-friendly and gluten-free food traditions in the world. We offer gluten-free injera upon request made from 100% teff, and many dishes are plant-based by tradition, not substitution.

Guests looking for flavorful, hearty vegan dishes love our Missir Wot (spicy red lentils), Shiro (chik peas), and Yataklet Alitcha (cabbage, carrots, and potatoes).

Cultural Dining: Beyond the Food

Dining Ethiopian-style is about connection. Meals are often eaten with family or friends and meant to be lingered over. Don’t be surprised if your server offers to explain each dish or how to eat it — it’s all part of the experience.

We also offer the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony on special occasions, which includes hand-roasted beans brewed in a traditional clay pot (jebena) and served with incense and conversation.

Where to Start Your Journey: Queen of Sheba in Addison

Located just north of Dallas, Queen of Sheba has been introducing Texans to the warmth of Ethiopian hospitality since 1991. Whether you're a curious foodie, plant-based eater, or just looking to try something different, our menu offers something for everyone.

📍 Ready to try Ethiopian food? Make a reservation or explore our menu today. Follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and youtube for behind-the-scenes prep, food pics, and culture bites.