Amazing food from Burkina Faso (Burkinabe), West Africa, Sahel region…read more -Lamb dibi - 9/10 (enough for feed 2 people) - Jollof rice - 20/10 - probably one of the best rice dishes I EVER had. (This is coming from someone of Indian heritage. It can compete with the best Indian biryani, pilaf, lemon rice.) -Bissap - 9/10 -Green sauce - 10/10 (creamy) -Spicy sauce - 10/10 (very spicy) -Degue - 9/10 (mild sweet)

Like sunspots, there's a rare Uber Eats phenomenon when holiday closures lead to an expanded radius…read moreof availability, which led to the Burkindi discovery. The "picked for you" section was correct (does anyone know if they're using personal algorithms or just highlighting popular items?), recommending dibi with riz gras. There's some spice on the lamb itself, with flavors augmented by two green sauces, one of which was massively spicy. I also liked the tomato and onion sauce on the rice.

This place is 2.5 rating…read more Fried shrimp: Adequate. Standard size. Flavor was average. You will need a glaze or dipping sauce to enhance what little flavor it has. Fried sweet and sticky wings: The sauce was a good flavor. I can't imagine the wings being good plain because the sauce is the total flavor profile of the chicken wing. The wings had a nice crunch but something was lacking. I'm not sure if it was how it was prepared, the freshness, or maybe the seasoning or lack thereof. Strawberry cake: Purchased two cakes (stupidly). Both were bad but even more so the strawberry cake. The cake was stiff, dry, crumbly, and stale. I had the food delivered so when I saw the container I can tell it was refrigerated. I thought perhaps if I just sit it out for awhile some of the moisture would come back and regain softness but no it didn't. Avoid their cakes if you see it refrigerated. Unless it's on a cake stand / plate it's not worth the gamble with your money. I don't know how long they've been refrigerated or when they were baked. Potato salad: The first bite all I tasted was water. More bites it was just on the bland side. Fried whiting: Fine. Not too thin. That's what I was most concerned about when ordering whiting and it became the least issue with the meal. Fried rice: meh Jollof rice: I feel like the peas and carrots were just edible ornaments. Much like the green sprinkles they had on the chicken and mac. No real additive to the flavor of the dish and I personally didn't care for it. I mean it gave it a different texture in some parts and color but I rather good food than aesthetics. The rice has a spicy kick to it fair warning. I can't speak on the authenticity but I thought it was better than their signature fried rice. Mac and cheese: I don't believe it should've been called mac and cheese. I tasted no cheese. When I think mac and cheese I think southern mac and cheese which is cheesy, has sharp cheddar cheese, and soft noodles. This had none of that. It was like eating a side of stiff rigid mac noodles that was boiled in some seasoned water earlier in the day and now is being served later in the day where it's just stuck together room temperature elbow pasta.

I ordered their Lemon pepper wings, Mac and cheese, a Red Velvet Cake and Oreo Cake, and I want to…read moresay everything was delicious, they did not miss a beat, especially on the wings and Oreo cake, I'm ready to order again.

The place knows how to make ordinary meals special. Every dish was a new adventure. This place…read moremaintains cleanliness and its owners are kind, helpful and direct. This restaurant delivers impressive service. I'm thinking I might return.

This spot creates perfect experiences. Quality food. Particularly attentive service team. They…read moreselect quality ingredients and serve substantial amounts. The place sits in a perfect position too. This restaurant delivers an uncommon experience.

I had the egusi with pounded yam. It was delicious. I got beef as my protein and it was rough but I…read moreexpected it to be. They're a little pricier than my normal go to place but the food might be better. I tried the vegetable stew and I think I will get that next time. So flavorful. The ambiance was very casual, looks more like a to go place. The service was pretty good no complaints.

How would I rate my experience? Unique. 9ja is a Nigerian place but they are fine with English so…read moreyou can visit and ask as many questions as you like. Do ask. Please ask... First impressions: Small urban place. Free Wi-Fi a plus. Smoke alarm battery going off a minus. Family setting a plus (toddlers roaming the dining room and kitchen). You can get your order in or to go. I got mine in and watched as they hand-washed and cleaned bowls and utensils. Some of those became mine. I got a mix of efo elugusi and efo biro, which were two of the three starters they had today. I watched as they assembled the bowl and... put it in the microwave. No no no. Sigh. As the dish neared completion I perused the fridge, grabbed a bottle of Nigerian imported palm wine, and dug in. What looks like bread is probably the pounded yam. You tear off a bit and dip in the spicy yummy starter. I found there was a perfect proportion - my last bite of each came together. Well executed. Less well executed is the Assorted Meat. That is Nigerian for "large pieces of inedible cow parts, not actual cuts of meat". (I heard people saying no meat with their order, now I know why.) I ate the tripe (not cooked tender, but passable and unique), passed on the cow skin and couldn't eat the tendon if I tried. But otherwise, nice and flavorful and spicy. Do note that it's spicy here. All done, I washed my hands in the washing bowl (what's a "sink"?) and paid. Verdict: Probably really really authentic. Not the ingredients I expected but I love authenticity, so I'll give it 4 Yelp stars instead of random Unique Stars. Next time I'll work on the fish entrees instead of "assorted meat".

Hmmm. Where do I start Jollof rice! Very very good. Tried…read moreit around when they first opened. Wasn't impressed. But tried it recently and it was great!! Fried rice was very very good also. I got the combo platter. Been here multiple times. Inside kinda small. Ayamese was good. The white rice was a little overcooked that day.

Love it!!! Very tasty. Expensive though. $22 for egusi soup or efo riro soup with 4 piece of meat…read moreis crazy. Service is fine but better to call in advance. Ambiance is better than before... Still best efo riro or egusi i have had.

Good food in large shareable quantities. Highly recommend. Food served in a timely manner.read more

I've never experienced African food like this before. It was very spicy but quite delicious. The…read morerice and beans were steaming hot and the chicken was soaked in this spicy oil of flavors that you can mix with the rice and beans. The lady was sweet too.

Went to 44th & 2nd looking for a different food truck. It wasn't there, but this truck was so I…read moreordered bc I didn't have a lot of time to pivot and decide on alternate plans. Although the truck says they accept card, they very much didn't want card. They asked for cash app and Zelle. I don't like logging into my bank apps while out and about so I offered to pay cash which I fortunately did have on hand. $25 for one plate. That's crazy pricing. They also didn't give me a proper container - it was mismatched (rounded lid, rectangular base) so it couldn't close. I'm glad I hadn't bought it to eat for a later meal. I was going to take it to a park to eat but i ended up just stopping at a nearby bench because it was hot and I couldn't close it. I ordered a drink at the start but when they gave me my food, I asked about my drink and they said it would be another $3. I'd paid in cash, got no receipt, and the truck had no pricing advertised so unfortunately I can't say whether I got charged for a drink never provided. I think I did though looking at their physical location prices. Food wasn't bad, but not good enough to offset $25, mismatched container, potential attempt to double charge me, etc. the lady before me was also upset with what she received. Definitely won't be going back. Also while I was there I saw them wiping off a knife by wiping it onto a (gloved) hand and then smearing said hand against trash bag. Questionable hygiene.

Great food and excellent service. The suya was flavorful, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. The…read morestaff were friendly and the atmosphere was welcoming. Portions were generous and everything tasted fresh. Definitely one of the best spots for suya in the area. I'll be coming back again!

Great African buffet restaurant. Hot and spicy food.. some…read morefood just taste right!!! So if you love trying spicy African dish , this is somewhere to consider.. all dishes is by weight.. yes .. That's how you get ur food total price $$ Mon Berger is affordable place to eat or take out . My 7 year old son ate the fish and rice. It was little spicy for him but , he love the taste.

there is spicy food that is good and there is spicy food that is just spicy no flavor…read more Unfortunately this place is all spice no flavor. I got the spinach and chicken and the lamb and rice and it taste like I opened up a bottle of black pepper and just dumped it in my mouth. I am used to African cuisine Trinidad Jamaican and the spices but this tasted like somebody was mad. I try to stick to my people in the business so this one has to do better. The young lady behind the register with the beads was very professional and very nice. The woman who came out to put the food in look mean unpleasant didn't speak she acted like I was in her way when she was putting the food in maybe she is unhappy.

I got the suya bites. They didn't taste like suya, just well seasoned steak. Delicious just not…read moresuya. Ordered lychee martinis. Roland was super nice and sweet. He made wonderful drinks and was a gracious bartender. The entire staff was friendly and the layout of the restaurant is nice. I didn't get to try anything else but I'll come back next time I'm in Newark.

Took my Mom to see the Alvin Ailey show in NJ and Swahili Village was right across the street! The…read morelocation is PRIMETIME! We loved every bit of our time together at this restaurant. The music and ambiance was lovely, and the servers were amazingly attentive. The food was mouthwatering. We shared the Red Snapper and had the sauce on the side. The curry fish nuggets had a lovely coconut flavor. Our drinks were celebratory indeed. If you're ever in NJ for a show at NJPAC, go across the street and check Swahili Village out!

Looking for a chill African spot to dance and unwind, we were recommended to visit Origin. We…read morearrived around 10:30 and were told we made it just in time to get in for free, as there is a cover charge starting at 11 pm. For about an hour, the music was at an enjoyable level. Once it hit 11:30, the dj started and it became hard to talk to each other. The afrobeats and hip-hop kept us dancing and singing all night, although a lot of songs ended prematurely. My girlfriend didn't enjoy her espresso martini until they made it again with less Bailey's. I ordered a Remy Martin based cocktail which was ok. Our bartender was funny and engaging, and she went above and beyond to make us drinks we had at other restaurants (which she nicely didn't charge us for). Their alcohol selection is average. They also have a VIP lounge upstairs and people smoke hookah throughout.

After a wonderful dinner, my boyfriend and I wanted to go out to Dance. We were recommended this…read morelocation that is known for their African music, great food and cocktails. We arrived at the location a little before 11 PM and there was no cover which was a pleasant surprise. We were told that the peak hours are after 11:30 till 3 AM. Before the DJ arrived, we were able to hear each other speaking and hold conversation. Once the DJ arrived around 1130/12pm it was difficult to hear each other. The espresso martini wasn't my favorite was more Baileys and espresso liquor based as opposed to the foundation being coffee/espresso with a splash of Bailey's. I really enjoyed my apple whiskey martini with cranberry juice and grenadine. I highly recommend ordering it. I love how the drink menu had unique cocktail names that were African based. The service was great. The staff and bartenders were super friendly and were open to accommodating our unique cocktail recipe requests. I look forward to coming back for the food and bringing friends and family in the future.