Jaji, a newly opened restaurant in downtown Oakland, showcases innovative Afghan cuisine curated by chef Sophia Akbar and her husband, Paul Iglesias. Drawing from traditional Afghan recipes and the diverse flavors of the Silk Road, the menu features creative takes on classic dishes such as mantu and kabuli palaw. The dining experience is enhanced by Jaji's contemporary ambiance, ideal for both locals and visitors. The diverse menu includes small and big bites with unique ingredients like miso and herb-based flavors, highlighting a sophisticated culinary approach.
The Bay Area has several restaurants serving flavorful, smoky, deeply soulful Afghan cuisine. But the number doing truly innovative things are fewer than the two toes of a lamb's hoof.
Jaji, which opened in January in downtown Oakland, aims to change that. The husband-wife team of Paul Iglesias and Sophia Akbar...offer an ambitious, creative menu of upscale fare inspired by the traditional dishes of Afghanistan and the spices of the Silk Road.
Many of the classics are here, from mantu to a Godzilla-sized lamb shank to kabuli palaw...but expect the food to yield twists and turns - Japanese ingredients like miso, for example.
The dinner menu is divided into small bites, kabobs - which also turn out to be small bites - big bites and dessert. Mama's Daal is excellent to start with and not at all like the luscious and long-stewed goop scooped up at many restaurants.
Collection
[
|
...
]