VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Ryan Bell: Despite the snow outside, this Near Northside restaurant is open as the only Somali Restaurant in Syracuse. But things weren’t always this good for owners Riyau and Mohammed Mohammed, who operate the store with their son Abdulla. He translates for his parents.
Abdulla Mohammed: She said because of the war what happened in Somalia, so that’s why we come move from Somalia to Jordan and then we got a chance to come to the united states by refugee, so we are refugees.
Ryan Bell: The family moved to the United States just over a year ago, in September of 2023. Six months later, it opened Somali Restaurant. Now, they are sharing their love for food with fellow Somali’s and all of Syracuse.
Futuma Mohammed: They have the best showarma: I like their showarma a lot.
Ryan Bell: According to the owners, showarma is one of their most popular plates. It is a choice of beef, chicken, or goat mixed with vegetables and spices. Traditionally, showarma is served with anjero, which can best be compared to a crepe. It’s a bread-like side that is meant to be dipped in the showarma but can also be served for breakfast. Other favorites are the house-made milk tea and cookies. But whether patrons come to order a classic dish or just dessert, the Mohammed family is using its freedom to share some of its old home with its new one.
Abdulla Mohammed: America is my second country, I will do the best I can do for my country.
Ryan Bell: In Syracuse, Ryan Bell, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — After escaping war in Somalia, one local couple has brought a taste of home to Central New York.
Riyau and Mohammed Mohammed opened Somali restaurant six months ago with their son Abdulla.
“Because of the war in Somalia, we moved to Jordan, and then we got a chance to come to the United States… so we are refugees,” said Riyau Mohammed, who spoke with her son serving as her interpreter.
The family has only been in Syracuse for a short time, arriving just over a year ago. Now, they are sharing their love for food with fellow Somalis and all of Central New York.
One resident who is enjoying the cuisine is Fatuma Mohammed, who grew up in the United States, but comes from a Somali family of immigrants. She is not related to Riyau and Mohammed.
“They have the best Showarma; I like their Showarma a lot,” Fatuma Mohammed said.
According to the owners, showarma is one of the most popular Somali plates. It is a choice of beef, chicken or goat, mixed with vegetables and spices.
Traditionally, showarma is served with anjero, which can best be compared to a crepe. It is a bread like side that is meant to be dipped in the showarma, but can also be served for breakfast. Other offerings are the house made milk tea and cookies.
Whether patrons come for a classic dish or just dessert, the Mohammed family is happy to share some of its old home with its new one.
“America is my second country, I will do the best I can do for my country,” Riyau Mohammed said.