Yemen Kitchen

Lamb shank. It’s the truth. Idk how these mfs do it but this is some of the best lamb shanks in the game. I have been trying a ton of family-owned restaurants in the past year since I moved to SF. And this is honestly one of the most delicious filling meals I have ever tried. The lamb shank comes crispy on the outside, falls off the bone kinda tender in the inside. I don’t know how they do it. Perfectly seasoned. It comes with a Sudanese tomato stew/sauce on the side that acts as a dipping sauce for the lamb. Incredibly savory, subtly spiced. They saw how much I was enjoying the tomato stew. They ended up giving me another bowl of it.

Aref is a wonderful host and excellent chef. I highly recommend the lamb and rice plate.

What a fantastic lunch from Z Zoul Cafe! My lamb shank was cooked to perfection – the meat was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, and the flavors were rich and delicious. The falafel was equally impressive. Forget everything you think you know about falafel – this was a game-changer. The outside was perfectly crisp, while the inside was soft, fluffy, and packed with herbs and spices. Z Zoul Cafe has earned a permanent spot on my list of go-to restaurants. I can't wait to explore the rest of their menu!

Delicious! First time eating Sudanase food and I loved if! Definitely recommend and super cheap for that area!

+1

Arif treated us to an incredibly special night of stories, laughs, and of course, great food. We learned how to make hummus and falafel and then we were able to savor the fruits of our labor.

Tasty and healthy food! It was my first time trying Sudanese cuisine. They have lots of lunch specials and combos you can get. I was tempted by the falafel but ended up with a roasted lamb bowl, pita and baklava. The service was super nice and courteous to me, seem like decent folks. The outside is a bit sketch. A group of homeless hanging out along the wall. But the inside is of better ambience and cleanliness. Would come again!

Amazing, the lamb was perfect even the little fatty parts. The rice was cooked to perfection, and oh the baklava 😍. Even the Naan was fresh. I recommend this to everyone. It's also covered by EBT. They have a customer forever!

Picked this spot for lunch based on reviews by other patrons. Food was really good. First time experiencing Sudanese food. Good finding in SF!

This place, this place, is almost deserving of the Guinness Book of World records in every category above! But I MUST also, in the spirit of proper review standards, include a 5.0 star measurement of service. I have eaten here no less than 5 times. On a cold and brisk day, I am summoned to his bowl of homemade lentil soup. Ah - the little things that bring us back! The more traditional dishes i.e., falafel with tahini and pita surrounded with FRESH salad delectables, not only covet exceptional taste, they are soft on the pocketbook! If roasted chicken is your dish, order it here. The portion size is perfect for a leisurely sit down for self or family, or a coworker. Need to have a company party? Z Zoul has the space. This is a well run and unique dining experience that is a gem in San Francisco. Expect a friendly greeting and start it off with a homemade cardoman tea. Need a quick and highly effective cup of coffee? He's got you. Try this place and you'll find it becomes a regular stop and an affordable option for dining.

I don't know about "Sudanese food" because I ordered a standard Mediterranean food bowl that lots of places sell & some hibiscus juice & it was very good. The lamb was AMAZING, the only complaint is the wanna-be saffron rice tasting very plain & the beef kebab needed some more salt/seasoning. Everything was on point though, owner very nice, highly recommend!!

Good is amazing first time trying it and I will always eat here now. The meat is very juicy And it’s very affordable customer service if 100

Incredible Subanese food and very friendly service. highly recommend

Amazing food, great prices and the owner is a legend. Must get the lamb shank!

DELICIOUS FOOD! It was so good we forgot to take pictures. The owner is also a lovely person. Definitely coming back to try other things from the menu. Lamb Shank was our favorite. Best lamb I've tried so far.

I came for take out craving Fuul, a fava bean dish popular in East Africa and some Middle East cultures. Unimpressed by the menu I asked what makes Sudanese cuisine different from Middle Eastern cuisine judging by entrees listed, he replied the seasoning. I spoke to people that are familiar with Sudanese cuisine and they all said they are known for their lamb besides the famous breakfast Fuul dish. I have been to a Fuul restaurant where they have 12 different Foul options, so I come with a spoiled Fuul palate, but this restaurant'a Fuul was decent and filling as it should loaded with protein and some fat I'm not familiar with, but possible ghee? Ask for oil substitute if this is the case and you are vegan, but ask, it could be a vegetable oil I have never had. It could also have been the peanut butter that threw me off. I devoured it though. I came back and ordered the Lamb Shank, and boy what a peasant surprise. It was tender and seasoned well that fell off the bone filled with succulent marrow. I haven't had theses herbs before, but it was delicious. The price is half what you would pay at an SF restaurant for a lamb shank. It came with saffron rice, salad, and a side soup. I ate half, and reheated the other half next day, so that was a generous portion for me that can never finish a regular burrito and orders Jr. burrito. This will definitely be my monthly meat treat since I have cut back on red meat. I haven't been excited of discovering a gem in SF since Stella's Sacrapantina, and A La Turca's Doner Kabob which now has competition. Parking can be pretty challenging, so plan well if driving.

EBT honored here. There is a new restaurant location in negotiations for Potrero Hill district and this location on Eddy Street is now refurbished and looks fabulous. The ever warm and smiling Chef Aref Elgaali prepared excellent food for me and my husband of spicy and succulent shrimp with fresh cooked vegetables in a thick sauce, buttery fresh cooked long grain jasmine rice, and three large pieces of freshly baked homemade Sudanese bread, creamy hummus, a very large beef kofte wrap and well seasoned french fries with two rich sauces for dipping my fries plus a 16 oz. special made drink of fresh berries we will never forget for $40 plus a good gratuity.

Small restaurant and good for a quick meal in SF. We got the roasted chicken plate, hummus and lentil soup. A pretty good value (~$20). The soup that comes with the chicken is not great and it looks like frozen veggies were used for that one, but the lentil soup was amazing. Will recommend for homely, hearty meals.

This is a small eatery run by a very friendly Sudanese family. I tried the Zzoul emperor plate; every item was very flavorful with taste profile similar to middle-eastern food.

I was walking around Tenderloin and came across this restaurant. I was like oh I have never tried Sudanese food and Halal! so I walked into it and lo and behold’ the food was so good like you you could smell from just the air in the room and I ordered the lamb shank and the meat was so tender. They also offered a complimentary soup on the side, which was really spicy, it really made me miss home.

Small restaurant and good for a quick lunch in SF. The Lamb shank plate seems like their signature and is a pretty good value (~$20). Soup comes with it but is on the salty side - can mix together with the rice. The rice is a really large plate and I can only finish half of the rice.

I visited Z Zoul Cafe in San Francisco and really enjoyed the experience. I tried the falafel wrap and the shawarma wrap, along with their special hibiscus drink. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The hibiscus juice was especially refreshing and unique. It’s a nice spot if you’re looking to try something different with Sudanese flavors.

Roast Lamb Shawarma, loosely wrapped, but crispy grilled — perfect with the spicy tangy sauce add-on. A filling meal, perfect when eaten fresh or on-the-go. Falafel is not as crispy, but soft and comforting, a nice pack of protein.

One of San Francisco's hidden gems 💎! We had just returned from visiting The Wiz in Emerald City. Tough trip, so we were hungry. We goggle nearby restaurants and saw that Z Zoul Cafe was only a ten minute walk away at 295 Eddy St. It was Super Bowl Sunday, so the streets were kind of empty. We found the place. The first thing we noticed was how small but quaint it was. We were greeted by one of the owners and seated right away. We were served hot and spicy tea that was delicious! The menu was small, but the choices were great! The four of us ordered different things so we could share. I decided on the Beef Kofta that came with a green salad, Basmati rice with Tahini sauce and hummus, which you could tell was freshly made. When the food arrived, we were shocked and pleased that the amount was huge! We were told they believed in making sure you had plenty. We did! The beef was very, very tender and tasty! None of us were disappointed with anything. I will say that when you go, try the Dalya Pudding. It's made with Egyptian rice and has the right amount of sweetness. We all had leftovers to take home. The price for all of us was far less than we would have paid at well-known restaurants and totally worth it! I know we will be returning to Z Zoul. It's five stars worth it ! By the way, the word Zoul means, 'friend'. Indeed.

One of my new favorite spots. I tired their lamb shank platter with soup and it was EXCELLENT. Really hit the spot. Generous portions of everything and everything cooked just right. Excellent dessert too (rice pudding and basbousa). Super-pleasant and welcoming customer service. Pleasant atmosphere. Very reasonable pricing. Highly recommend.

Tried Sudanese food for the first time here in downtown San Francisco and got the falafel plate! falafel was delicious with an awesome crispy texture on the outside. It also came with rice with spices, pita, humus, and a salad. Portion is large! Nice decorations and makes me feel like I’m in Sudan even though I’ve haven’t been there yet

Absolutely amazing food! I am Sudanese and have wanted to go here for so long. I finally had the chance and it was somehow even better than I expected. We had the Roasted Lamb Shank, Fuul Mosaleh, and Salatat Aswad. These are all Sudanese dishes that I've grown up with and Z Zoul Cafe knocked it out of the park. Everything was perfect; the vegetables in the Fuul, the consistency of the Salatat Aswad, the tenderness of the lamb shank, the hot sauce (shata) and the green chiles. Calling this restaurant authentic would be an understatement, every bite took me back to Sudan! Sudanese culture is known for its hospitality and any diner at Z Zoul will see this very clearly. Thank you Aref for this great experience.

Z Zoul is such a delight! My friends and I shared three plates together to have a variety! The okra stew and lamb shank were my fav! Highly recommend supporting this Black owned business!!

I had the lamb plate, falafel, hibiscus drink and rice pudding. The portions are very big but I didn’t want to stop eating! 10 out of 10!

Very 'mom and pop' type of restaurant. Nothing super fancy but the dishes were packed with flavor. They have the option to add mozzarella or cheddar cheese to your meat. I tried it for the sake of trying it. I love cheese so I enjoyed it, but I wish the cheese was a little more melted. Delicious babagonush and hummus. The best part was the falafel...crunchy, not oily, cumin. Great place!

Rin S

Small restaurant and good for a quick meal in SF. We got the roasted chicken plate, hummus and lentil soup. A pretty good value (~$20). The soup that comes with the chicken is not great and it looks like frozen veggies were used for that one, but the lentil soup was amazing. Will recommend for homely, hearty meals.

Suvrajit Saha

This is a small eatery run by a very friendly Sudanese family. I tried the Zzoul emperor plate; every item was very flavorful with taste profile similar to middle-eastern food.

Halim

I was walking around Tenderloin and came across this restaurant. I was like oh I have never tried Sudanese food and Halal! so I walked into it and lo and behold’ the food was so good like you you could smell from just the air in the room and I ordered the lamb shank and the meat was so tender. They also offered a complimentary soup on the side, which was really spicy, it really made me miss home.

Y. A. Zhang

Small restaurant and good for a quick lunch in SF. The Lamb shank plate seems like their signature and is a pretty good value (~$20). Soup comes with it but is on the salty side - can mix together with the rice. The rice is a really large plate and I can only finish half of the rice.

Amino

I visited Z Zoul Cafe in San Francisco and really enjoyed the experience. I tried the falafel wrap and the shawarma wrap, along with their special hibiscus drink. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The hibiscus juice was especially refreshing and unique. It’s a nice spot if you’re looking to try something different with Sudanese flavors.

Christopher Chung

Roast Lamb Shawarma, loosely wrapped, but crispy grilled — perfect with the spicy tangy sauce add-on. A filling meal, perfect when eaten fresh or on-the-go. Falafel is not as crispy, but soft and comforting, a nice pack of protein.

Annie McCarter

One of San Francisco's hidden gems 💎! We had just returned from visiting The Wiz in Emerald City. Tough trip, so we were hungry. We goggle nearby restaurants and saw that Z Zoul Cafe was only a ten minute walk away at 295 Eddy St. It was Super Bowl Sunday, so the streets were kind of empty. We found the place. The first thing we noticed was how small but quaint it was. We were greeted by one of the owners and seated right away. We were served hot and spicy tea that was delicious! The menu was small, but the choices were great! The four of us ordered different things so we could share. I decided on the Beef Kofta that came with a green salad, Basmati rice with Tahini sauce and hummus, which you could tell was freshly made. When the food arrived, we were shocked and pleased that the amount was huge! We were told they believed in making sure you had plenty. We did! The beef was very, very tender and tasty! None of us were disappointed with anything. I will say that when you go, try the Dalya Pudding. It's made with Egyptian rice and has the right amount of sweetness. We all had leftovers to take home. The price for all of us was far less than we would have paid at well-known restaurants and totally worth it! I know we will be returning to Z Zoul. It's five stars worth it ! By the way, the word Zoul means, 'friend'. Indeed.

Asser Moustafa

One of my new favorite spots. I tired their lamb shank platter with soup and it was EXCELLENT. Really hit the spot. Generous portions of everything and everything cooked just right. Excellent dessert too (rice pudding and basbousa). Super-pleasant and welcoming customer service. Pleasant atmosphere. Very reasonable pricing. Highly recommend.

Grace Ling

Tried Sudanese food for the first time here in downtown San Francisco and got the falafel plate! falafel was delicious with an awesome crispy texture on the outside. It also came with rice with spices, pita, humus, and a salad. Portion is large! Nice decorations and makes me feel like I’m in Sudan even though I’ve haven’t been there yet

Osman Sheikhnureldin

Absolutely amazing food! I am Sudanese and have wanted to go here for so long. I finally had the chance and it was somehow even better than I expected. We had the Roasted Lamb Shank, Fuul Mosaleh, and Salatat Aswad. These are all Sudanese dishes that I've grown up with and Z Zoul Cafe knocked it out of the park. Everything was perfect; the vegetables in the Fuul, the consistency of the Salatat Aswad, the tenderness of the lamb shank, the hot sauce (shata) and the green chiles. Calling this restaurant authentic would be an understatement, every bite took me back to Sudan! Sudanese culture is known for its hospitality and any diner at Z Zoul will see this very clearly. Thank you Aref for this great experience.

Miriam Manda

Z Zoul is such a delight! My friends and I shared three plates together to have a variety! The okra stew and lamb shank were my fav! Highly recommend supporting this Black owned business!!

Mona Elminyawi

I had the lamb plate, falafel, hibiscus drink and rice pudding. The portions are very big but I didn’t want to stop eating! 10 out of 10!

My husband and I found this place randomly while visiting San Francisco . Food was amazing. Everything was made to order. I had the lamb shank and it was so tender falling off the bone. Everything was delicious. Will definitely return when back in the area.

Absolutely wonderful Middle Eastern food, with a twist. We loved their kofta kebab, their rice was amazing too. Do try their hibiscus drink, it is very tasty but a bit too sweet.

This is a great find! We had lamb, chicken, falafel, baba ganoush, etc. Each dish had distinct and great flavors. I wish I lived closer, I would be here every week. The staff/owner greeted us warmly and fed us well! Thank you.

Brittney

My husband and I found this place randomly while visiting San Francisco . Food was amazing. Everything was made to order. I had the lamb shank and it was so tender falling off the bone. Everything was delicious. Will definitely return when back in the area.

Amy Sheppard

This is a great find! We had lamb, chicken, falafel, baba ganoush, etc. Each dish had distinct and great flavors. I wish I lived closer, I would be here every week. The staff/owner greeted us warmly and fed us well! Thank you.

Dyanna Volek

Delicious Sudanese and Mediterranean food. The ambiance is so homey, and the food portions are huge. I loved the eggplant, peanut butter and tomato dip. OMG so good. If you're undecided, get the Imperial Bowl that showcases all three proteins. They also have delicious baklava that is chock-filled with pistachios. Aref and his wife really bring a lot of love to their cooking and are serving family recipes from generations ago. The restaurant means "friend" in Sudanese, and you'll definitely feel welcomed coming here!

Gregory Barsh

Fabulous experience. Our favorite was the incredible falafel wrap, with a side of garlic sauce (not on the menu but readily available) which we added bite by bite with a spoon. The best falafel sandwich I’ve ever had. Also please, a special shout out to the owner’s T-shirt, which read “Good things happen to those that Hustle.” Makes you even prouder to support his business. :-)

A brand new Sudanese cafe/deli. Try their delicious aromatic roasted chicken plate. The dish comes with basmanti rice, mixed greens, and vegetable stew.

Z Zoul Cafe is delicious and decently priced. Cam in looking for a taste of Sudanese food. While there could be a bit more variety for traditional dishes, I was satisfied with both of my visits so far. Excellent price and values. Tasty plates and wraps. My recent visit was for a beef kebab plate. But ended up getting a Kofta plate instead. (yes there is a difference) Everything plated was delicious and satisfying.

Chris “Vectrexer” Romero

Z Zoul Cafe is delicious and decently priced. Cam in looking for a taste of Sudanese food. While there could be a bit more variety for traditional dishes, I was satisfied with both of my visits so far. Excellent price and values. Tasty plates and wraps. My recent visit was for a beef kebab plate. But ended up getting a Kofta plate instead. (yes there is a difference) Everything plated was delicious and satisfying.

Ordered takeout. Owner was polite and food was ready upon arrival. Overall the food was good. Rice was a bit too oily for me and the chicken was fine. Perhaps I was expecting a bit more with the restaurants’ high rating.

fine portion, but pretty bland overall. asked for white sauce to mix it up a bit and that was nice. Was hoping for more crisp and flavor variation

Nice people quick service very friendly. Would be a nice experience of Sudanese food in California. I should say that the food tastes good for the most part but unfortunately nothing tasted fresh. The falafel was stale and old. The lamb was juicy and soft and didn't smell so that was the best part for me.

Derrick Liang

fine portion, but pretty bland overall. asked for white sauce to mix it up a bit and that was nice. Was hoping for more crisp and flavor variation

Kourosh Dadgar

Nice people quick service very friendly. Would be a nice experience of Sudanese food in California. I should say that the food tastes good for the most part but unfortunately nothing tasted fresh. The falafel was stale and old. The lamb was juicy and soft and didn't smell so that was the best part for me.

A dirty hall in the wall... that is the best way I can describe it. The place is dirty and messy, and the attendant has a disheveled appearance too. After a visit to the bathroom to clean my hands prior to eating, I wanted to bail out eating there because it was a mess everywhere and nothing looked clean or organized. However, we had paid for the food already. I went with my sister yesterday because the website made it look like a decently clean place with very good food, but it turned out to be microwave reheated food. Fake, misleading images of the food. I had a chicken shawarma wrap and it look nothing like the pictures on the website. There was no green leafy lettuce or slices of tomato and fresh onions in it. It was some sort of chicken stew he got out of a crock pot and put it in a tortilla, then toasted the tortilla on a griddle- that was it. It was not serve on a white plate either. It was served on a plastic "fish and chips" red basket. The menu was also different, listing different ingredients for the same meal items on the website. I had the most deceiving dining experience and do not recommend this place. The only reason I give it 2 stars is because the food did not make me sick in any way; however, a very deceiving place.

Ligia Rodriguez

A dirty hall in the wall... that is the best way I can describe it. The place is dirty and messy, and the attendant has a disheveled appearance too. After a visit to the bathroom to clean my hands prior to eating, I wanted to bail out eating there because it was a mess everywhere and nothing looked clean or organized. However, we had paid for the food already. I went with my sister yesterday because the website made it look like a decently clean place with very good food, but it turned out to be microwave reheated food. Fake, misleading images of the food. I had a chicken shawarma wrap and it look nothing like the pictures on the website. There was no green leafy lettuce or slices of tomato and fresh onions in it. It was some sort of chicken stew he got out of a crock pot and put it in a tortilla, then toasted the tortilla on a griddle- that was it. It was not serve on a white plate either. It was served on a plastic "fish and chips" red basket. The menu was also different, listing different ingredients for the same meal items on the website. I had the most deceiving dining experience and do not recommend this place. The only reason I give it 2 stars is because the food did not make me sick in any way; however, a very deceiving place.

I watched the man make my lunch and That will be the last time I go there again. (1) he did not wear a mask. It’s still covid-19 pandemic. (2) he didn’t wash his hands after touching the mop handle (3). He didn’t wear gloves (4) food is left out on the counter tops and the flies were having a frenzy (5) he scooped cooked refrigerated pasta out from a gallon bucket (6) he reheated the chicken that has been sitting on the counter uncovered for who knows how long. This restaurant food is not made when you order, it’s all made in advanced and then reheated. Knowing how unhygienic this restaurant is, I ended up leaving the food for the homeless people outside.

No need to make it up. I was there on 11/2 - see copy of receipt. Food was horrible. No flavor. Appeared to be reheated. Location was just dirty.