Masob Ethiopian Restaurant
Masob Ethiopian Restaurant in Doha is a great off the beaten path place to experience truly Ethiopian cuisine and hospitality. It was formerly known as Habesha Restaurant, but in 2016 the owners changed the name to Masob.
Injera, Teff, Curries and Coffee
Hidden in the streets of Muntaza, the tiny restaurant Masob attracts mainly Ethiopians and other Africans. Yet often you will find other nationalities who now belong to the growing group of regular guests.
The menu is pretty hard to read, if you have never been to Ethiopia. On a chalkboard, the daily offers are written in Ethiopic only. Luckily the helpful waiters are very patient to explain everything.
Just order an Injera with a bit of everything! Injera is a sourdough bread Ethiopians make from Teff which has numerous health-benefits. Most importantly it is gluten free, but also tastes quite unique. This large pancake like bread will be your plate. On the top they serve different kind of sauces. Ethiopians call them Wat (or wot). Some of the meat-dishes can be very spicy. Just make sure to mention if you eat meat or vegetarian food only and your desired level of heat.
A plate for two can easily feed three people. Thus instead of ordering single-dishes, you can share a plate among several people.
Eating the Ethiopian Way
First of all, Ethiopians usually use their right hand for eating. When eating in groups of friends or family, Ethiopians sometimes practice a wonderful act of friendship and love. A piece of Injera wrapped around some wat or ketfo, is fed directly to the mouth of others in the group. This practice is called Gursha and the larger the portion, the bigger the friendship or bond is. Why not try this next time you go out with your loved ones?
What would an Ethiopian meal be without a coffee?
Ethiopia is known worldwide for their coffee plantations. In fact it is the birthplace of the coffee tree. No wonder why coffee plays a major role in their culture. Thus have a cup of the strong, espresso-like coffee to round up your African food experience.
Friday night you will barely get a table, but the vibe is warm and inviting. So climb up the very steep stairs and find a cozy place upstairs. The waiters are known to ascent and descent these stairs in an impressive speed. Who knows, maybe it was a good cup of coffee that helps them with that.
Special note
Masob Ethiopian Restaurant is very busy on Fridays, but you should go there too on a friday. Just make sure you go early. Because only then they will serve Injera from pure Teff-flour. While on all the other days, they mix Teff with Rice. This still tastes great, but it makes us want to eat the real thing on fridays. You can tell the difference by the color. The mix looks off-white while the Injera made from pure Teff-flour is noticeably gray.
Best way to Masob Ethiopian Restaurant
Driving on C-Ring Road:
- Coming from Airport Road drive past Holiday Villa Intersection and take the second street to the right. Make sure that you don’t miss the small entrance to the service road. Masob will be on the left hand side
- Coming from Hamad Hospital drive to Holiday Villa Signal and make a U-turn and take the second road right. Masob will be on the left hand side
Driving from Souq Waqif:
- Drive towards Salwa Road and make a left at Mega Mart Signal. Continue for one kilometer and look for Masob on the right hand side
Google Maps Directions
What makes Masob Ethiopian Restaurant offbeat?
- Authentic Ethiopian food experience
- A unique vibe and cozy interior
- You are likely to be the only non-Ethiopian around
HuffPost Article about Teff flour properties.
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