Sitting near the corner of 10th and Irving lies an unassuming gem that goes by the name New Eritrea Restaurant. Serving up Eritrean takes on curries to the citizens of San Francisco.

Inside, red lamps scattered around set a cozy tone. The clinking of glass, chattering of friends getting together, and the smell of many spices create a warm and comforting atmosphere.

After being greeted by an extensive menu featuring a variety of different curries and appetizers, my family and I settled on the two different sambusas–beef and vegetable– and the vegetable sample platter for four, which consisted of six vegetarian curries and a salad.

Waiters gracefully waltzed around the restaurant carefully placing platters of food onto tables. The sambusas arrived, steam flying out, hot crispy pillows of dough filled with fragrant seasoned vegetables and meat accompanied by a spicy paste. The perfect palette opener.

Four baskets of thin flatbread were placed in front of each member. The beige surface with indentations, seemed as if it were designed to scare one with trypophobia. It had the sourness reminiscent of sourdough bread yet having a squishiness.

 Silver platters gleamed under restaurant lights and carried an array of hueful curries. The curries consisted of lentils, collard greens, potatoes, chickpeas, okra, and split peas. We reconnected with our primal instincts, ate with our hands, and tore the injera.

As I tasted the curries, a tasty eruption occurred on my tongue, many flavors somehow crammed into one curry. Each curry is unique yet connected by a common thread of berbere–complex spice consisting of fenugreek and chili peppers amongst many others.

If you’re ever in the mood to try something new, make sure to head over to New Eritrea Restaurant for an unforgettable experience.