Mama Ethiopian Cuisine
Authentic Ethiopian Food in Itaewon
- Restaurants
Mama Ethiopian Cuisine
- 6 Hoenamu-ro 13-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Basement)
Seoul's only Ethiopian table
Lamb Pie / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
Some restaurants fill a gap. Mama Ethiopian Cuisine fills an entire void. It is, quite simply, the only Ethiopian restaurant in Seoul and the fact that it exists at all, tucked into a basement in Itaewon, feels like a small miracle for anyone who has ever craved the flavours of East Africa far from home. The walls are covered in photos, flags and cultural objects, Ethiopian music plays in the background, and the crowd is as diverse as the neighbourhood itself. First-timers and Ethiopians away from home sit side by side, which tells you everything you need to know about what this place gets right.
What's on the menu?
Traditional Roll / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
Ethiopian food is built for sharing, and Mama leans fully into that. Everything arrives on injera — the soft, slightly spongy flatbread that acts as both plate and utensil — and you eat with your hands. The Vegetarian Platter is one of the most recommended dishes on the menu: a generous spread of lentil and vegetable stews, entirely vegan, full of spice and colour. For meat eaters, the Spicy Chicken Stew (Doro Wat) and the Tibs are the dishes regulars keep coming back for. Portions are more filling than they look — the injera does serious work. First time with Ethiopian food? The staff will happily guide you through it.
Budget: 10,000 – 20,000 KRW per person
Practical info
- 6 Hoenamu-ro 13-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Itaewon Station (Line 6), Exit 4
Roots
- Ethiopia
Price
Hours
Monday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Phone
- +82 70-5147-5633
Must Try
Vegetarian Platter
A vibrant spread of lentil and vegetable stews served on injera. Fully vegan and the most ordered dish on the menu.
Doro Wat (Spicy Chicken Stew)
thiopia's most iconic dish — slow-cooked chicken in a rich, spiced berbere sauce. Bold, warming and deeply satisfying.
Tibs
Sautéed beef with herbs and spices, a staple of Ethiopian home cooking and a favourite among regulars.
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