From Sambusa to Chapati wraps, aromatic rice panels and even more, Kallsan’s cuisine calls on residents of East Africa and new arrivals to the region’s cuisine
Kalsan Cuisine, a restaurant that combines East African dishes and American dishes, opened its doors at the Midtown Square Mall in St. Cloud.
Mohamed Jama of St. Cloud opened Kalsan Cuisine in January with two other business partners from the old location of Kays Midtown Café.
Jama, who also directs the Xidig TV in Somalia of the Midtown Square Mall, knew he wanted to open a restaurant when he saw the space available in the building. He loved the location and thought that the restaurant would be a good community space, he said.
His father was an entrepreneur in Nairobi leading several companies, which, according to Jama, inspired him to continue entrepreneurship himself.
“My father has always been an entrepreneur. In Nairobi, he had a clothing store, then another time he used to trade … Then from there, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” he said.
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The restaurant serves a range of Somali and other East Africans. Some of the articles also have an American touch, said Jama, to call on residents of East Africa and those who know less the cuisine of the region.
Customers can choose from dishes such as Waslad goat, Kenyan Ugali and Katakata, a stew of meat and vegetables. The restaurant also offers relaxed items such as Chapati Wraps and Ugali fries, an American version of the type of corn flour used in many dishes in Kenyan and other Africans.
So far, the sambusa has been the most popular element, said Jama. He also recommends that visitors try aromatic rice with a choice of meat as well as combo sets, so that they can taste many flavors.
Kalsan cuisine also serves traditional breakfast dishes such as shakshuka, eggs poached in a tomato sauce and spices, and beef or SUQAAR chicken, with vegetables. Customers with a sweet tooth can try Mandazi, an aperitif of African donut.
“We think there is no restaurant like this where he has culture, as you can see people from all different backgrounds, trying our food,” said Jama. “Above all, keep this American culture with us, as well as the introduction of other dishes.”
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Jama was interested in cooking after his first job in KFC when he was in high school in St. Cloud. During his stay, he also made his sisters work at the KFC, and he learned behind the scenes of the management of a restaurant.
The lessons of his first restoration experience have been useful to own and operate Kalsan’s cuisine.
“I always liked to be in a kitchen,” said Jama.
In the future, Jama said Kalsan Cuisine planned to add a dessert screen to the front of the restaurant. With Ramadan from Friday, he also hopes that families will choose the restaurant as a new place to break their fasts together.
For residents of the St. Cloud region, less familiar with cooking, Jama also wants Kalsan, the kitchen serves as the first accessible taste of eastern African food for people who try to branch.
“I want people to come and try it,” he said. “You will never know if you never try it.”
Kalsan cuisine is open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every other days at the Midtown Square Mall at 3333 W. Division St.
Teagan King covers the business and development of St. Cloud Times. It can be contacted at teking@gannett.com.
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