The recent opening of Jaji in Uptown Oakland brings a fresh energy to the area, offering modern Afghan cuisine alongside distinctive cocktails. The restaurant, developed by Paul Iglesias and Sophia Akbar, serves as an innovative culinary venture, merging contemporary dining with Afghan heritage, contrasted with traditional eateries. It fills a void in a neighborhood that has seen many closures, signaling a positive shift toward revitalizing Uptown Oakland’s dining landscape, highlighted by Akbar’s assertion that Jaji may be the first of its kind in California.
There’s really nothing like it in the Bay Area. Akbar believes Jaji is likely the first restaurant in California, as well as one of the first in the country, to serve contemporary Afghan cuisine.
‘Really an Afghan restaurant with a bar attached to it is already going to be a very progressive thought,’ she said, referring to the novelty of a modern Afghan dining experience.
While Parche celebrates chef Iglesias’ Colombian heritage, Jaji draws from Akbar’s background as an Afghan American, showcasing a blend of cultures.
These mom-and-pop places are the foundation of Jaji, according to Iglesias, emphasizing respect for traditional culinary roots amidst modern innovations.
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