Kendejah Restaurant

West African food is hard to find in the Bay Area, and if you want Liberian food, well, you’ll have to either go to Dougie Uso’s restaurant Kendejah in San Leandro or track down the restaurant’s food truck—Kendejah on Wheels—usually parked at Lake Merritt or in Downtown Oakland. The cuisine is often spicy with a kick but also sweet and is centered around rice (usually eaten two times a day in Liberia) and other starches, as well as smoked meat and fish. It’s comforting, flavorful, and an adventure in seasoning.
How to enjoy: Call 510-756-6049 for reservations and takeout.