Kitfo
Ethiopia's spicy buttered beef tartare
Think of it as: Like steak tartare dressed in spiced chili butter
Raw beef, spiced butter, no regrets.
What does it taste like?
Rich, buttery beef with a sharp chili heat.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSoft and silky
What is it?
Ethiopian minced raw beef tossed with mitmita (a chili spice blend) and niter kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter. Traditionally eaten raw, though you can ask for it lightly cooked.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Wrapped in injera or kocho bread with fresh cheese (ayib) and greens; a celebration favorite.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇪🇹Ethiopia
CapitalAddis Ababa
Populationabout 139 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCoffee exports, Farming and herding, Cut flower exports
Famous peopleAbebe BikilaWon Olympic marathon gold twice in a row, running the Rome race barefoot
HelloTena yistilign
CurrencyBirr
And JapanOften called the birthplace of coffee, and loved in Japan under the name "Mocha"
Fun factIt has its own calendar, with 13 months in a year
The flag🇪🇹 Green, yellow and red stand for the land, hope and sacrifice; the blue disc and star in the center stand for the unity of the people.
From Tokyoabout 10,400 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Addis Ababa
Getting thereabout 17 hours from Tokyo (with transfers)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeOctober to February, after the rainy season, brings lots of sunny days. Also tryDoro wat🥩 KitfoShiro More from here🫓 Injera
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeOctober to February, after the rainy season, brings lots of sunny days. Also tryDoro wat🥩 KitfoShiro More from here🫓 Injera
🇪🇹 Sounds & life in Ethiopia
ሰላምHello（Tena yistilign）
Amharic script (Ge'ez script)
Amharic script (Ge'ez script)
Right now…
Anthem"March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia" (Wedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia)
MusicEthio-jazz Jazz blended with Ethiopian musical scales
SportSoccer (also strong in long-distance running)
Abebe Bikila (marathon; won Olympic gold in Rome running barefoot) World HeritageRock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and more National animalLion (Ethiopian lion) FestivalTimkat (January, an Ethiopian Orthodox festival)
MusicEthio-jazz Jazz blended with Ethiopian musical scales
SportSoccer (also strong in long-distance running)
Abebe Bikila (marathon; won Olympic gold in Rome running barefoot) World HeritageRock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and more National animalLion (Ethiopian lion) FestivalTimkat (January, an Ethiopian Orthodox festival)
Ingredients
- 300g very fresh beef
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (or butter)
- 1-2 tsp mitmita
- Salt
- Ayib (fresh cheese)
- Sautéed greens
Can't find it? Make niter kibbeh by simmering butter with cumin, cardamom and garlic.
How to make it (one way)
- Finely mince the beef by hand
- Gently melt the niter kibbeh
- Off the heat, add mitmita and salt
- Toss the beef in briefly
- Serve with ayib and greens
⚠️ Raw meat carries a food poisoning risk.
Get the ingredients (ad)
mitmitaAmazon