An authentic Burundian restaurant is set to open in West Seattle this fall.
Ku Mana’s, owned by Ndikumana Rasheri, will debut at 4611 36th Ave., bringing a taste of Burundian heritage to the neighborhood.
According to Ku Mana’s website, Rasheri and her family moved to the United States when she was eight years old. At 12, her sister taught her how to cook, inspiring a lasting passion for cooking.
“What started as a practical skill evolved into something much more: a passion. Cooking became my way of connecting with my roots and culture. It’s not just about preparing meals; it’s about creating experiences, sharing stories, and preserving tradition. Whether I’m making rice, beans, chicken stew, or other traditional Burundian dishes, each meal is a way for me to connect to my heritage and bring a piece of home to the table,” Rasheri said via the website.
The menu features a mix of East African favorites, starting with crispy beef sambusas, lightly sweet mandazi and fried yams served with tangy ketchup.
Entrees showcase tender chicken with cabbage and white fufu, slow-cooked beef stew with rice, plantains with goat meat and goat stew paired with cassava fufu. Sides range from braised collard greens and sauteed cabbage with carrots to steamed rice and traditional fufu made from cornmeal or cassava. The beverage selection includes a zesty ginger-lemon Burundi Breeze, and spiced Burundi tea.
The name Ku Mana, which means “with God” in Rasheri’s native Kirundi, reflects a deep cultural and spiritual connection.
“The vision for Ku Mana’s is to offer more than just a meal; it’s to offer an experience. We want every dish to tell a story, every flavor to evoke a memory, and every bite to remind you that food is more than nourishment—it’s a bridge that connects people across cultures,” the website reads.
Ku Mana’s is set to celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 27. The restaurant will be open Fridays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m., with both takeout and delivery available.
What Now Seattle reached out to the Ku Mana’s team, however, they have not yet responded. This article may be updated.
