Zamzam
Permanently Closed
Somali restaurant serving flavorful bariis iskukaris and baasto
Somali restaurant serving flavorful bariis iskukaris and baasto
"There’s no strict menu at Zamzam Somali restaurant on Seven Sisters Road. Diners can expect to choose among lamb shank, briskly fried beef suqaar, and spiced chicken, digaag, all generously portioned. The main courses are served alongside rice, gently spiced with cardamom and bejeweled with plump raisins, or baasto — spaghetti slicked in tomato sauce with crunchy onions, peppers, and parsley. Al dente isn’t a relevant concept here: these curls of pasta are soft and comforting, with the added warmth of cumin and cloves. Though Zamzam is ideal for takeaway, those eating in can expect the added perks of a small bowl of lentil soup while they wait, and an optional banana served with the meal." - Hester van Hensbergen
"Your order: Bariis iskukaris with chopped meat and soup (£5) A plate of bariis iskukaris at Zamzam - a Somali vegetable rice dish packed with sweet peppers, spiced potatoes, soft peas, a handful of raisins, and other bits that taste like they’ve been bathing in a wonderful tub of chicken stock, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin (among other things) - is one of the best things you can eat around Finsbury Park. It comes with a pile of caramelised chopped beef and goat and, for £5, you can get a tasty potato and carrot soup too." - Jake Oliver
"Zamzam is a Somali restaurant on Seven Sisters that makes stellar bariis iskukaris, a vegetable rice dish packed with sweet peppers, spiced potatoes, soft peas, a handful of raisins, and other bits that taste like they’ve been bathing in a wonderful tub of chicken stock, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin (among other things). We get it with a pile of caramelised chopped beef and goat, and it’s easily a two meal portion. Starting with some soup is essential, as is some of the homemade shidni (hot sauce) on your table. photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli" - Jake Missing
"On a road full of east African cafes and hangout spots, Somali restaurant ZamZam’s double floor layout and energetic name sticks out. While some Somali chefs showcase their own version of injera, the breadwinners here are bariis isku karis or isku dhez karis, featuring a flavour-packed one pot concoction of vegetable rice and goat meat. The Italian presence in the region is also shown here, with baasto, a spaghetti pasta also accompanying meats like digaag, a spiced and diced chicken. Don’t be surprised by the banana — it’s a customary accompaniment." - Riaz Phillips
Liam O.
Abukar M.
Cristina F.
Amir M.
Maye S.
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Tangerine F
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