ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Samples of fragrant dark purple juice were passed among the crowd Friday morning at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Nkasso African Restaurant in Allentown.
The eatery, at 44 N. 8th St., offers bissap, a drink made out of the flowers of the Roselle plant (a variety of Hibiscus), along with other cultural staples.
- Nkasso opened its doors Friday at 44 N. 8th Street in Allentown
- One of the owners, Habiba Diaby, brought treasured family recipes from the Ivory Coast
- The restaurant is open for dine-in, curbside pickup and delivery
Nkasso, or “my home,” takes its nod from the Ivory Coast of Africa — where owner Habiba Diaby grew up alongside her mother and grandmother and learned treasured family recipes.
Hearty meals on the Nkasso menu include Yassa, a marinated chicken with onion sauce over rice, Maliba, a peanut butter soup with smoked turkey, and rice and Suya, traditional smoked spiced meat.
Egusi, a one-pot soup with blended melon seed, pepper, leafy vegetables and meat, also taps into Diaby’s cultural identity.
But her story of opening the doors to a restaurant in Allentown meant taking a big detour personally and professionally.
While living in West Africa, Habiba was going to law school. When she got married and joined her husband, Adama, in the United States during the summer of 2018, she channeled her energy into food full-time.
The pair cut the ribbon Friday on their family-owned business while holding their two young children and rubbing elbows with a host of dignitaries.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, city Councilwoman Cynthia Mota, state Rep. Josh Siegel, and state Sen. Nick Miller were among those on hand to welcome Nkasso to the neighborhood. Also, there were members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance.
“I’m grateful for the chance that was given to us. When I say 'chance,' I mean coming here as an immigrant. For something like this today, it means a lot."NKasso African Restaurant owner Adama Diaby
“I’m grateful for the chance that was given to us,” Adama Diaby said. “When I say 'chance,' I mean coming here as an immigrant. For something like this today, it means a lot.
“When you think about where you start and your vision and where you want to go… we are grateful for the United States, for Allentown and for the Lehigh Valley in general.”
Across the area, African restaurants are proliferating, and the owners behind them are showcasing a range of cuisines.
But one successful eatery, Coal Lounge & Grill at 81 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem, closed its door last summer and announced it was relocating. In the interim, some of its staples are available at The Loaded Plantain inside the Downtown Allentown Market.
“Allentown is all of our homes,” state Rep. Siegel said just before the ribbon was cut. “We treat the city like we treat our house. It’s something that we cherish and take pride in and respect and want to build it up to be stronger. So we welcome you to our house as part of the Allentown family.
"I think every restaurant downtown is a gateway to culture, a gateway to [a] greater understanding that each culture has to offer.”
Nkasso is open for dine-in, curbside pickup and delivery. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Learn more at nkassofood.com.
