When Benyam Ethiopian Cuisine first opened in Harlem, people weren’t always sure whether they’d walked into a restaurant or an art gallery. And in some ways, that was exactly how owner Beniam Asfaw and his siblings wanted it.

In this episode, I sit down with owner Beniam Asfaw to talk about his journey to New York City, berbere basics, and how food, art, and atmosphere come together to create a place meant for lingering.

Read more about what we ate!

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EPISODE CREDITS

Produced & Edited by Diane Bezucha

Music

• “Addis Jazz” by u_98673jp944
• “Cooking Food Music” by BackgroundMusicForVideos
• “Too Good For Punk (positive funk)” by Kulakovka
• “Jazz Background Music” by HitsLab
• “Upbeat Together Worldbeat Emotional World Uplifting Music” by REDproductions
• “Periodicals” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Albany, NY (2015)
• “City Limits” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Albany, NY (2015)
• “Grey Grey Joe” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album TinyTiny Trio, (2016)

When Fares Zedeia left Palestine as a teenager, he believed he’d return. Instead, he had to watch from afar as his homeland was torn apart. For years, he searched for his place in the world — a search that eventually led him to a food cart on a New York City sidewalk.

In this episode, I sit down with Fares “Freddy” Zedeia, the King of Falafel and Shawarma himself. Over a platter of his signature falafel, juicy shawarma, and tender kebab, we talk about his journey from cab driver to king — and how food becomes identity and a way to survive when home is far away.

Read more about what we ate!

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EPISODE CREDITS

Produced & Edited by Diane Bezucha

Music

• “Coronea” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Marisala, (2017)
• “Somewhere in Punjab” by SergeQuadrado
• Cooking Food Music by BackgroundMusicForVideos
• Upbeat Together Worldbeat Emotional World Uplifting Music by REDproductions
• “Cast in Wicker” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Aeronaut, (2017)
• “Watermarks” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Crab Shack (2018)
• “City Limits” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Albany, NY (2015)
• “Armenia” by SergeQuadrado

When friends John Nguyen and Chef Nhu Ton first jumped into the restaurant world, they were in over their heads. Way over. Today, they run one of the hottest Vietnamese spots in New York City.

In this episode, I sit down with John and Nhu, the team behind Manhattan’s Bánh Anh Em. Over bánh mì and bún chả, we talk about their journey from hole-in-the-wall beginnings to the Michelin Guide — and the craftsmanship that transforms simple ingredients into unforgettable dishes.

See what we ate!

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EPISODE CREDITS

Produced & Edited by Diane Bezucha

Additional editing by Christina Mitchell

Music

• “Coronea” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Marisala, (2017)
• “Cast in Wicker” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Aeronaut, (2017)
• “Periodicals” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Albany, NY (2015)
• “City Limits” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Albany, NY (2015)
• “Filing Away” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Crab Shack (2016)
• Cảnh Ruộng Đồng Quê Bên Bờ Đê - Vietnam Bamboo Flute by Asian_Background_Music
• Mysteries of Son Doong - Vietnam Travel by Asian_Background_Music
• Cooking Food Music by BackgroundMusicForVideos
• Luỹ Tre Xanh Ngát Đầu Làng (Guzheng) - Vietnam BGM by VPRODMUSIC_Asia_BGM