This post was updated Feb. 9 at 4:37 p.m.

Mandi House simmers Yemeni tradition into Westwood’s dining scene by mixing community, craft and culture.

Since opening in March 2024, Mandi House has become a gathering place for local families and UCLA students to converse over shared dishes, said owner Faris Alqabass. The restaurant fills a gap in the greater Westwood culinary ecosystem by introducing a cuisine, Alqabass added, that was difficult to find in Los Angeles, despite the city’s abundance of other Middle Eastern food.

“I came to visit a family member here in California, and I was searching for Yemeni food,” Alqabass said. “I couldn’t find it. I saw some other Arabic foods but not Yemeni food. That actually triggered my attention. Then I said, ‘You know what? Why not?’”

Unfamiliar with California neighborhoods, Alqabass said he felt enormous pressure on his opening day, especially after a year of anticipation. Yet, he added that the response was unexpected – an early success that gave him the confidence to grow the business.

“During the fire evacuation, we opened the restaurant to families who had lost their homes,” Alqabass said. “We opened for almost three months, no charge. … The neighborhood recognizes Mandi House as a community restaurant. Since then, I’ve seen more and more customers coming in. They appreciate what we did, which means a lot to me.”

As the founder of Mandi House, Alqabass said he wants to educate people about Yemeni culture through the restaurant. He considers Yemeni cuisine to be a basket full of foods, with each one having its own unique taste. Every day customers will come in and try something different each time, such as the Mandi lamb or fish, he said. But it is the fahsah, a traditional dish of lamb and beef served with Yemeni bread in a sizzling hot plate, that reminds him of home, he added.

By having long hours – Mandi House is open until 1 a.m. – and focusing on shared dishes, Alqabass said he aims to make the space welcoming for students. People are so happy to have this type of food in this area, he added.

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Among those drawn to the restaurant is Luke Yarbrough, an associate professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. Yarbrough said he was first introduced to Yemeni food during his time in Cairo, where he found himself returning to Yemeni restaurants regularly. He added that he first heard about Mandi House from students.

Yarbrough said many students who have an Arab background were excited to see their heritage represented in the local community. He added that he has returned to Mandi House multiple times. While he enjoys the mandi chicken, he also likes the fahsah, and appreciates how the flavors distinguish the food from other cuisines in LA.

“One big thing about the college experience is that it’s expanding people’s horizons and leaving them with the impression that the world is endlessly large and fascinating and complex,” Yarbrough said. “The unusual nature of the flavor palette in Yemeni cuisine … it’s a good culinary version of that … of meeting that goal of expanding people’s awareness of the size and breadth of the world and human culture.”

Alqabass said he is currently expanding Mandi House to San Francisco and is also considering opening another Westwood location to showcase a different Yemeni concept altogether. He added that he is motivated by the support of the neighborhood.

“I love the [Westwood] environment,” Alqabass said. “I love the people. They actually give me the energy to do more for the neighborhood. … The community that I’m surrounded by gave me positive encouragement to move forward.”

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Bitaniya Sileshi, a fourth-year psychology student, said she tried Mandi House for the first time with her roommate when they came to study. Though most people don’t study there, she added that the restaurant is quiet at times. With a cup of tea in hand and a book in front of her, Sileshi said she continues to come back because of the good food and reasonable prices.

Although Mandi House was not her first experience with Yemeni food, Sileshi said, its high quality made Mandi House distinct in the larger Westwood dining scene. She added that she is surprised a restaurant like Mandi House is located so close to campus. Sileshi said the restaurant feels like a destination she would normally expect to travel farther for – somewhere reserved for special occasions. She added that she has witnessed both birthday and graduation celebrations there.

Sileshi said she enjoys the sambosa, an appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef stuffed in golden triangles of dough, and also recommends the meats, especially the lamb.

“The point of college is to be introduced to different cultures and to come out of your shell,” Sileshi said. “I think for someone who maybe grew up in a small town or hasn’t really experienced other cultures, places and restaurants like Mandi House allows you to get a look at everything. … Food is an easy way to learn about culture. That’s why restaurants like Mandi House are important.”