Hijazi Corner

Hijazi Corner, a popular spot off Edgware Road, has a mix of Yemeni and Saudi dishes, and seems deceptively like a takeaway shop with a few sit-down tables from the outside. But once you pass the till and go down the stairs, you’ll find a lively, packed-out dining room. On any given Tuesday there’ll be a pile of shoes by the entrance of the floor seating as rowdy groups sit cross-legged on the traditional Yemeni-style floor set-up, scooping mandi with their hands and splitting a whole lamb 15 ways. Pay attention to the big bakery section of the menu. Motabag is a a folded pastry filled with things like minced meat (which sounds good but can be a little bland), so we prefer the cheddar one, filled with leeks, tomatoes, and sharp, melted cheese. The lamb haneeth isn’t the best we’ve had but it’s a solid option for a casual weeknight dinner when you don’t want to think about cooking. And if there’s an important football game on, expect to see it playing on the hanging TV screen.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch