Banadir Somali Restaurant UPDATE - Inglewood

Keep it simple and do what you do best. That's what Banadir is doing, and Banadir is the best. 

Meat and rice with a side of salad and a banana. A bottle of water instead of tea. The Goat is falling off the bone, it's rich but it's lean and clean. 

Lamb looks like goat, but it's more gamey and equally great. 

Tilapia is a new venture, and these thin and flavorful slabs of fish are a safe adventure. 

The salad is mixed greens, covered in a creamy white dressing. The real standout is the rice. It's fragrant and flavorful, so savory as well. Firm yet tender long grains create the perfect texture, and it's good enough to stand alone. Smear on the green sauce. It stings skillfully and lightens the heavy meat.

Did I mention these generous practically 2-people portions are only 15-17 dollars? It's hard to get anything good for that price in this economy, but if you're looking for exceptional and exceptionally cheap, Banadir is where it's at. 

Banadir Somali Restaurant - Inglewood

It's a new world we're living in, most of it not so good. But not all new experiences are bad, and a rice plate at Banadir serves a steaming reminder of just how good going outside your comfort zone can be.

The Goat and Rice is the best comfort food. In the world! A heaping helping of tender, bone-in chunks are lean but not-so-mean, and their savor permeates al dente spikes of basmati rice fragrant with nutty spices. Onions alternate between mildly caramelized and mildly crisp, a highlight to the bouquet of sharper spices; pinches of cumin and dashes of turmeric.

The Lamb and Rice is a similar thrill, dominated by gameyness, strong but soothing. Dip all your meat in the bright green hot sauce. It's bright and refreshing, a highlighting burn of something peppery and hot, with a lilt of mint and lime. Just dip lightly because it hurts so good.

The Beef comes in long, skinny strips, tossed with tomatoes and leaves of basil. The beef is bit dry here, but I did ask for them to substitute anjera for rice, so there wasn't anything to hold the moisture in. 

Get a side of Anjera if it doesn't come with your order. It's like a pancake married a crepe but a pinch of Ethiopian injera snuck its way in. Barely sour, only a hint of that fermented flavor, fluffy but thin. 

My only other critique is that we didn’t get the promised tea or the banana with any of our meals so do check your order before you leave. That said, the portions of food weren't exactly lacking, and I didn't really miss either one.

Times are tough, but all we can do is support each other, and businesses hurt by the lockdown are a good way to start. Banadir is one shop worth saving. It's a taste of a beautiful country you may never see, and it's a delicious taste of a cause worth keeping.