Shawati Aden Restaurants

In the Bronx, a Tour of Little Yemen

"Opened in early 2019 by a Yemeni-born owner with a lifelong interest in cooking, this small, lively spot serves neighborhood-friendly Yemeni specialties and draws a steady crowd of locals. Signature dishes include a pressure-cooker version of mandi (traditionally pit-roasted lamb) and a distinctive sayadieh fish pilaf that layers smoky caramelized onions with two kinds of raisins and strips of pepper, producing alternating tangy, spicy, sweet, and savory bites. The intimate dining room often fills with regulars who know the proprietor, and the restaurant sits adjacent to a popular Yemeni coffee shop." - Chris Crowley