Taste of Yemen

We all know the one of the most cherished wishes of Hreater Seattle Foodies is answered — Puget Sound got its First Yemeni Restaurant I used to joke that the most gas I’ve ever burned for a particular cuisine was for Yemeni food. I genuinely believe it’s the best cuisine in the Middle East. And because Seattle had no Yemeni options, I often found myself crossing the border to Vancouver just to satisfy that craving. It felt like forever—but finally, Yemeni food is here. And it’s making a bold entrance. Here’s what I tried on my most recent visit: Lamb Haneeth – Incredibly tender, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. The rice had that signature mandi-style smokiness. Compared to the best mandi I’ve had in the U.S., this was slightly on the drier side—but the flavors still had me sold. A must-order if you’re a lamb lover. Chicken Mandi – Moist, flavorful, and cooked just right. This dish is all about the chicken—not heavily spiced or marinated, so it keeps things clean and simple. Pro tip: eat it early while it’s hot to avoid any gamey notes. Great option if you prefer lighter meats. Lamb Fahsa – This was the real star for me. Served in a sizzling hot stone bowl, the shredded lamb in a spiced, bubbling stew was pure comfort. The texture of the slow-cooked meat melting into the rich sauce is something you rarely see—except in certain dishes from my own culture, which made this feel beautifully nostalgic. Must try. Round Yemeni Bread – It’s the ideal pairing for scooping up that fahsa. Hummus with Lamb – I didn’t expect much from this fusion dish, but it blew me away. Creamy, dense hummus topped with flavorful, well-spiced lamb. The textures and flavors worked in perfect harmony—Yemeni and Levantine elements dancing together on the plate. Karak Chai – Sweet, milky, and strong—the way karak should be. Perfectly brewed and a wonderful way to wrap up the meal. The space is simple and unpretentious, with that warm Yemeni hospitality that instantly makes you feel like you’ve been invited into someone’s home. The portions are ok, there is a some room for improvement, the spices are unapologetically bold, and the dishes aren’t watered down for the Western palate. Greater Seattle has needed a place like this—a place that doesn't just serve food but with its ambience and hospitality tells a story that Yemeni cuisine is here, and it’s here to stay. *all meat is Zabiha halal

We came with a group of eight and left very satisfied. The service was exceptional and the staff were particularly friendly. It can get busy so be patient. We noted some people waiting outside but we were fortunate too to get right in and start eating it. You have to request an extra spicy bis-bass which is the green color.

Lamb Haneeth Twice in One Week? Yes, Please! First stop was the legendary Sheeba Yemeni Restaurant in Dearborn, MI — a go-to spot for authentic Yemeni flavors. The Lamb Haneeth there? Fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. But THEN… I stumbled across a brand new Yemeni restaurant right here in Kent, WA (yes, Kent!), just a few minutes from home. Gave their Lamb Haneeth a try and — no lie — it blew me away. More flavorful, spicier, and the sauce? Bright, fresh, and with a bold kick that made every bite addictive. 🔥🍖 The meat was so juicy and perfectly seasoned. So happy to have this kind of Middle Eastern treasure in town. I’ll definitely be back to dive deeper into the menu. If you’re a fan of Yemeni food (or just really good food), you need to try this place.

Best lamb I have ever had, and I have eaten a lot! One of my favorite people, who is from Yemen, invited me and I will be back solo. I am a big brisket cooking white dude and give this place an A+ We ordered the mixed Mandi family combo. I already covered my opinion on the lamb, but need to mention that the rice and chicken was fantadtic as well. We got the lamb hummus as an appetizer and was not disappointed at all. Strong recommendation.

This is one of the best Yemeni Restaurant I have visited in North America! The food was so delicious, authentic and made perfectly! I really enjoyed the lamb mandi and the fahsa with the hummus! I haven’t tried such amazing lamb before, it was delicious. We also had some Areeka for dessert and it was so caramelized and creamy. I will definitely be visiting soon!

Cute little spot! The girl who helped us was very nice and got us in quickly even with it being packed. I think there were only 8-10 tables but the food came out in 5-10 minutes so tables clear fast. Absolutely delicious food. First time trying this cuisine so I don’t have anything to compare it to however it seemed very authentic and I had to make myself stop eating. We got Lamb Haneeth and Lamb soup which fed 2 of us. It came with a salad and a fresh sauce (not pictured) comparable to a salsa. The soup was a broth that felt very homey with spices and a hint of citrus. The Lamb Haneeth was incredibly flavorful, tender, juicy and perfectly fatty. I can’t wait to come back and try something new!

Taste of Yemen is a very good restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious — full of rich, authentic flavors. The decor had a beautiful Arabic touch, which made the atmosphere warm and welcoming. The service was excellent, and the owners were very kind and friendly. I really enjoyed my visit and will definitely be coming back again soon.

First time eating at this establishment. They accommodated me since it was just me stopping by since I was in the area. I ordered two items to try and take home. Taste was excellent, all items came piping hot and fresh. I plan to head back and try the lamb, as one of owners recommended. I also liked they had a sink outside the restroom to wash your hands before and after eating. I recommend you eat with your hands, the right hand:).

The small restaurant was packed at 2.30pm on Friday. Portion size was huge. Food was tasty and well presented. Chicken was similar to South Indian food in its presentation but the flavor profile was quite differrnt. The bread wad good and was a good accompaniment to the chicken. But I would have preferred it hot. For drinks they only had soda and black tea. It would have been good to have some Yemeni style cold drimks. Also, given that Yemeni food is unusual in Washington, it woul have been good to have better descriptions in the menu with a background of the food. Food is culture and would have good for them to share their culture along with the food

Little family owned restaurant in a strip mall. They made the place homey by stapling nice fabric to the wall. Tables are close but everyone is friendly and makes room. Loud with many families. Even has a space for daily prayer. As others note, they run out of stuff. We came pretty early for dinner and they were out of hummus already. We had the Family Mandi Lamb platter which was huge and came with broth, small salad, and great warm pita. Some of the lamb was dry but it was so nicely spiced. Probably would order the single serving in the future and get more dishes to try. The Yemeni Foul was great dip for the pita. The Saltah was okay and one of the few vegetable options. Staff was friendly. My partner really enjoyed the food and thinks it is more 5/5.

Unfortunately today's experience at Taste of Yemen was anything but good. We waited for over one hour to get our food and the food quality was below average. Old drey rice. Dry meat with no flavor and extremely thin fish with hardly any meat in it. Nice staff but no restaurant experience at all. They did have many main dishes available when they opened at 11 am ???? Then why even open ? With such prices they serve hot tea with paper cups??? Costco water bottles for sake instead of providing water glasses on the tables. So many short cuts that are not good for business. I know the restaurant business very well. I wish them the best of luck but that was it for me.

I order fish lamb and a dessert. Fish was good. Lamb was ok less meat more rice. Dessert was different but good. But it's very expensive.