Opening its doors in April, AfroCana Tukul is one of Windsor's newest restaurants. Its also the first establishment in the city to serve the cuisine of Sudan, according to owner Amani El Khabir.
A successful legal translator in Dubai, El Khabir moved to Canada two years ago after her daughter, Sara Ataelmanan, moved here to study business at the University of Windsor. El Khabir plans on continuing her legal business in Windsor — she'll be writing the exam to become a licensed paralegal in August.
So why open a restaurant?
Ataelmanan, who helps her mom at AfroCana Tukul, described it as a means of cultural expression.
"Ever since I came [to Canada], when people ask me where I'm from, and I say, 'Sudan,' not many people know the country," Ataelmanan explained. "So we're trying to let people know [that] we exist."
El Khabir happened to be a very talented cook at home, so they decided to share that skill with the people of Windsor. AfroCana Tukul, whose name is a combination of Africa, Canada and the Sudanese word for a traditional kitchen, offers classic food from all over Sudan.
What is Sudanese food like?
Due to its location in northeastern Africa, food in Sudan is a blend of Middle Eastern and African ingredients and techniques.
One of the most popular dishes, for example, is kofta, an item also found at most of Windsor's middle eastern restaurants. At AfroCana Tukul, it's made with ground beef and spices formed into cylinders.
One of the more African things you'll find is kisra, a homemade bread served with many of the dishes. It's a thin, spongy, slightly fermented flatbread — sort of like a savoury crepe. It's very similar to a bread called injera that you find at Ethopian restaurants.
I ordered a dish called mulukhiya. Popular all over the Middle East and Northern Africa, it's a spiced green stew with chunks of lamb made with a leafy green of the same name.
I ate it with gourrassa, another flatbread Amani makes in-house, and a fantastic hot sauce made with peanut butter.
Ready to try Sudanese food?
AfroCana Tukul is located at 1285 Ottawa Street[1] in Windsor. They are open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The mother and daughter duo tell me the menu is a work in progress. It doesn't have a lot of descriptions because they want to talk to you about the food they're serving. So feel free to ask a lot of questions.
References
- ^ 1285 Ottawa Street (goo.gl)
Newer articles:
- South Sudanese victim of racist attack quits studies at university - 15/05/2016 13:43
- Alor: Our Relations with Sudan has Reached Worst Levels, and Should Be Promptly Improved - 14/05/2016 14:09
- Give me shelter - 13/05/2016 15:00
- Fashion gala raises funds for clean water projects in South Sudan - 13/05/2016 11:15
- USAID Announces New South Sudan Mission Director - 13/05/2016 08:00
Older news items
- South Sudan Cease-fire Panel Accuses President's Forces of Violations - 12/05/2016 20:25
- South Sudan food crisis worsens as fighting and drought goes on - 12/05/2016 16:36
- Sudan's Bashir returns from Uganda after 'short visit' - 12/05/2016 11:49
- Analysis: South Sudan Risks Sinking Into A Second Round Of Conflict - 12/05/2016 08:12
- Securing aid access in South Sudan: 'I communicate, negotiate, cajole' - 11/05/2016 00:25
Latest news items (all categories):
- [Audio] South Sudan holdout groups form alliance - 10/01/2025 14:12
- South Sudan restores crude oil production and export via Sudan as force majeure is lifted - 10/01/2025 14:00
- South Sudan: promoting empowerment through education - 10/01/2025 13:52
- Juba moves to claim disputed oil-rich Abyei - 10/01/2025 13:46
- South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (December 2024) - 10/01/2025 13:42
Random articles (all categories):
- Senior Eritrean Delegation On Working Visit to South Sudan - 06/05/2022 01:32
- High Court hears arguments against spy tech sales to South Sudan - 22/09/2016 22:25
- Tackling hunger in South Sudan - 30/05/2013 10:41
- Sudan: Thousands of Islamism supporters march against UN - 14/11/2022 00:02
- Enough Project - Report Urges Trump Administration to Pursue New Policy Focus with Sudan - 20/06/2017 16:16
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 61133 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22295 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21479 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19030 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18702 times