Teranga

True to my word, I came back for the Maafe bowl, and it fulfilled every expectation I had. The stewed vegetables were so soft, the stew itself was full of spices (even made my nose run a bit, lol), and the fried okra was such a nice surprise. I bit into the okra thinking it'd be boiled or roasted, and therefore on the softer end, but I instead found out it was perfectly crunchy! The spiced peanuts added some more texture and nuttiness to the stew. Overall, a very well-rounded bowl that makes me want to have it again next week LOL.The cashier also handed me a sample of some hot tamarind cider while I waited for my food. Very nice to have on a rainy day :)

This gem of a place is the best thing to happen to the Embarcadero area. Small in size but mighty in flavor, it's hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. I got the Maafa, which can be made with or without protein. Such a delicious dish packed with so many delicious vegetables! The rice was even super flavorful, fluffy and delicious! You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Every dish looks amazing (and I love that they have photos of the dishes on the menu as well). The staff are so helpful and kind and really go out of their way to ensure each dish is made and presented beautifully. The portions are ample, and price is right (probably the most bang for your buck in this area).They also offer juices that looked pretty amazing and a variety of foods that you can grab and go if you're in a rush. Literally my new favorite spot to go for a great meal that's going to be good for me and also taste good.Street parking can be dicey but there is a garage located in Embarcadero 3 that's across the street. Bart is also nearby and you are within walking distance to the Ferry Building.

Teranga is my first exposure to Senegalese food. The Maafe bowl (peanut stew) is very warming and comforting. The workers kindly gave me a small sample of the Tamarind Cider, which was nice and not overly sweet. It's a small space with a couple tables and looks to be mainly a lunch spot for the office workers in the area. Look forward to trying other items in the future!

A Taste of SenegalI went out for lunch and decided to try a Korean restaurant that I had heard about. On my way there, I saw a sign for a Senegalese restaurant called Teranga. Since I had never tried Senegalese food before, I decided to give it a shot.When I entered, I had no idea what to order, so I asked the lady behind the counter for a recommendation for my first time. She suggested a dish, and even though I didn't pay much attention to the name, I decided to give it a try. The gentleman behind the counter seemed to approve of my choice, which made me feel confident about my decision.I believe the dish I received was a Maafe Bowl, a traditional Senegalese peanut stew with butternut, sweet potatoes, and carrots served over Jasmine rice. It was medium spicy and delicious.As I was leaving, the lady offered me a small shot of Tamarind cider and some boiled peanuts to try, both of which I enjoyed.Teranga is a small take-out place, but on a nice day, you can sit outside at one of the tables around Embarcadero Plaza and enjoy your meal with a great view. The staff is friendly, and the place is very clean. If you're in the area, I highly recommend giving the menu a good look - the food is delicious!

Decided to stop by for some lunch in the Embarcadero. I ordered the Maafe Bowl and added chicken. They give a choice of breaded chicken or drumsticks; I ended up getting the breaded chicken after the woman helping me recommended it. Overall, it tasted great and was a lot of food. However, the weakest area was probably the chicken. It wasn't bad, though the breading wasn't very crispy. It would have been nice some sort of grilled and boneless option. Additionally, they give a small cup of cider with the meals which was super flavorful and a very nice touch. The interior has two tables, though both were full when I was there. I will definitely be back to see what else they have to offer.

A latecomer to the Vacant to Vibrant pop-up series. I walked by several times hoping they'd open and finally they did! It was definitely worth the wait since Senegalese food is very unique in the FiDi (and even San Francisco) and it's delicious!Pizza Pulaar: A really unique "pizza" and much heartier than typical flat breads. The nice butternut squash paste made it hearty and flavorful. The generous amount of cheese was crucial to be pizza-like. And all the wonderful spices gave it so much personality. Plus the fresh pomegranate seeds were a great seasonal touch. High recommend!Senegalese Street Style Spaghetti Sandwich: It was like they took a basic Italian spaghetti and meat sauce then added a bunch of yummy African spices. Definitely a nice zing. A tad carby, but so good! Though I must say there were some skeptical reactions when I posted pics on social media. My recommendation is just try it yourself!Chicken Drumsticks Teranga: While the other dishes are tasty, they seem a bit sparse on protein. So adding these to your order is a nice way to upgrade your meal. It would just be a regular old baked drumstick, except for the delish sauce! It's got a nice tang and tons of spices. They should seriously sell bottles of that stuff to upgrade your chicken at home.Mango Kalamata Olive Salad: Kinda tastes like a regular salad, that happens to have fresh mangos in it. Lots of healthy veggies, but the least flavorful of the items I tried.Maafe Bowl: It wasn't the maafe I was expecting, but it was the maafe I needed. I thought it would have a stronger peanut taste, kinda like satay. Turned out to be packed with tons of flavors and just a little peanut undertones. It was hearty, thick and spicy. Pretty filling for vegetarian, with lots of nice chunks of root veggies and squash. I made sure to get every bit of that delicious sauce with the stray bits of rice left over.Love Potion: Lots of flavor in this little bottle. A little thick, so I added some sparkling mineral water in a glass with this and turned it into a refreshing spritzer. Though it's also enjoyable as a thicker drink by itself; flavor is not overwhelming just a bit of viscous texture.

The menu is small and the food is executed well. Yummy vegan tomato based peanut stew. There was an option to add ground beef, which my partner got. Mostly a takeout spot but there are a few casual seating options. We were offered tastes of cider which was a great complement to the food. The water is spiced with anise.

First dip into Senegalese cuisine - Djollof rice with mixed vegetables served with Tata Umu's tomato sauce with chicken drumstick & egg. Nice building spice & never a bland bite Tip: Ask for mild if you're not spicy tolerant!

I'm happy to report yet another positive dining experience at La Cocina Municipal Marketplace, the women-run cooperative operating at Golden Gate and Hyde in the Tenderloin. This time I took a culinary flight from Algeria to Senegal in West Africa. Judging from the line of people waiting to order, I can say this is one of the more popular kiosks during the lunch hour. There were several unique temptations on their surprisingly robust menu like the Senegal Street Style Spaghetti Sandwich and the Dakar Muffaletta.However, I went light on my first visit and tried the $8 Dakaroise Mango Salad, which was a refreshing sweet and savory mix with the mango chunks combined with kalamata olives, birds-eye chiles, and baby arugula tossed in a whole grain mustard cider vinaigrette (photo: https://bit.ly/3JNoqHJ). To complement the mix of flavors, I went with the $5 Genjia Ginger which lent a sweet and sour note with chives a nice accent (photo: https://bit.ly/3utGuAi). I definitely want to try the peanut stew and the chicken drumsticks marinated in lemon dijon and tamarind. Next time.FOOD - 4 stars...sweet and savory combos done in a uniquely Senegalese styleAMBIANCE - 4 stars...I just like the marketplace, the vibe and spaciousness SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and busyTOTAL - 4 stars...West African tastiness with California sensibilities RELATED - Interested in African cuisine? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2JBDHib

The love potion worked. The crew is so attentive of allergens, making items gluten-free or vegan options, and great west African fare. I love the Djollof rice & suggest anything of there foods. The food is the best in my opinion for West African food in San Francisco since the options for cultural cuisines are copious, but limited as compared to NYC.