Jaji, a newly opened restaurant in Uptown Oakland, reflects the heritage of owner Sophia Akbar through decor and cuisine that honors Afghanistan. Adorned with handcrafted chiffon fabrics and family heirlooms, the ambiance is inviting and culturally rich. The menu offers traditional Afghan dishes with creative adaptations, such as a mushroom pekora and spinach sabzi with cheese. Akbar's vision for Jaji is to create a community space that welcomes diverse patrons while showcasing Afghan culture and nostalgia, aligning with her husbandâs parallel venture, the Colombian restaurant Parche.
"We're really just trying to create a space for folks to bring in their friends that maybe aren't of a similar descent...it's great to have this platform, to show off the culture, to show the nostalgic flavors."
"Jaji's pekora, typically a deep-fried potato-filled patty, is made with mushrooms and a tempura batter... rooted in tradition but not beholden to it."
Collection
[
|
...
]