Welcoming Ethiopian gem a labor of love
Selam Restaurant, a small family-owned and operated gem in South Minneapolis, offers an immersive experience into the rich cultural tapestry of Ethiopia. Owned by Belai Mergia and Rahel Tassew, Selam embodies the couple’s journey, values, and commitment to authenticity.
“Selam,” meaning peace and a warm greeting of “hello” in Amharic, reflects the owners’ dedication to fostering unity. With its mouthwatering menu, exquisite murals, and familial warmth, Selam has become a beloved gathering spot that invites diners to connect with the spirit of Ethiopia.
Both Mergia and Tassew are originally from Ethiopia. They moved to Minnesota in 1991, with Rahel having lived in New Jersey since 1984. Tassew’s journey as a refugee was shaped by the violence of the civil war, a brutal conflict that saw many of his friends fall victim to government oppression. His personal experiences during that period deeply shaped his outlook on life and his commitment to building a peaceful future for his family and community.
He crafted Selam into an offering of peace in a bustling city. It began as a coffee shop in 2007, but Mergia and Tassew’s dream was always to open a full-service Ethiopian restaurant.
The couple faced setbacks early on due to zoning issues and limited funds, so they were obliged to focus on a cafe. Years of hard work paid off, and their determination and resourcefulness led them to make Selam Restaurant a reality post-pandemic in 2021.
“It was hard, but I didn’t give up,” Tassew said.
Even now that Selam is a fully operational restaurant, no visit is complete without experiencing Ethiopia’s renowned coffee ceremony. This sacred tradition involves roasting coffee beans, grinding them by hand, and brewing the coffee in a jebena (traditional clay pot).
The ceremony is a sensory experience, filling the air with the fragrant aroma of freshly roasted coffee. This ritual is an occasion for conversation, community bonding and reflection, and it serves as a reminder of the Ethiopian reverence for coffee, believed to have been discovered in the country’s highlands centuries ago.
At its core, Selam is more than just a place to eat; it reflects the Ethiopian ethos. Selam combines the culinary expertise passed down through generations with a deep respect for their cultural heritage. The restaurant’s commitment to authenticity is about ingredients and preserving the soul of Ethiopian hospitality.
From the moment you step inside Selam, the warm aromas of spices and freshly baked injera fill the air, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. The essence of Ethiopian cuisine goes far beyond the flavors. In Ethiopia, food is a communal affair, and meals are often shared among family and friends, embodying the spirit of togetherness. This concept is echoed at Selam and reflects those longstanding culinary traditions.
Ethiopian cuisine is largely defined by its use of spices, fermented grains, and slow-cooked meats. Dishes are designed to be enjoyed alongside injera — a spongy, sour flatbread made from teff, an ancient grain native to Ethiopia. Injera is a staple at Selam, serving both as a food item and utensil to scoop up stews and vegetables, allowing diners to experience a tactile connection with their meal.
Selam’s menu is a celebration of Ethiopian flavors, emphasizing vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant is well-known for its signature Vegetarian Combo, which includes a variety of dishes like split lentils, yellow peas, green beans with carrots, beets, shiro, and collard greens.
The Selam Combo, a mix of key miser, yellow split beans, shiro wot, cabbage, dor wot, key wot, and beef tibs, is another customer favorite that offers the best of their vegetable and meat dishes on the same platter. Both combos are generously portioned and can easily feed a group of three, making them perfect for sharing.
“In Ethiopia, there are over 80 different ethnic groups. We may use the same ingredients as other Ethiopian restaurants, but the way we cook them is not the same. It’s unique to us,” Tassew said.
Mergia and Tassew take great pride in their restaurant. They cherish their role in the community and are immensely proud of their three daughters, who have grown up learning the importance of hard work and perseverance while working alongside their parents at Selam.
The Mergia-Tassew family does all they can to ensure every guest feels at home. They are excited to continue serving their neighbors and have big plans. In the next year, they plan to expand the menu, hire additional staff, and enhance their marketing efforts, all while staying true to the values of peace and welcoming that have guided their journey.
Find out more at selamrestaurantmn.com.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses at ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.