The international food hall has reopened in a new, two-story space at 1432 Niagara St. and houses eight restaurants serving foods from all over the world. It’s also a business incubator, run by Westminster Economic Development Initiative, that helps entrepreneurs learn the ropes of owning a business.
There are so many dishes to try at the West Side Bazaar—from authentic Congolese to Egyptian to Japanese—and plenty of time. Consider ordering one of these foods on your next visit (and wash it all down with a bubble tea from Bubble Tea & Smoothie Bar, located within the bazaar, of course).
 
If you want sweet & spicy

For a filling meal with a hint of sweetness and a kick, try the Malaysian nasi biryani at Phyu Thein Malaysian Restaurant. Fried chicken ($15.75) or fried beef ($16.75) is served over a bed of spiced basmati rice, fried onion and cashews, with a dish of raisins and cucumber slices on the side. It’s served with a side of coleslaw and spices that allow you to turn up the heat.

If you’re vegan

For a flavorful vegan meal, try a dish from Malkia & Co. African Gourmet, a restaurant serving Central African and Congolese food. The red beans African style meal ($18) includes beans that are cooked with fresh tomato, leeks, celery leaf and nutmeg—ingredients that bring a subtle and fresh flavor to the dish.
 
The beans are served with rice and either fried plantains or foufou. The plantains taste like a cross between sweet potato fries and caramelized banana, while foufou resembles a doughy pancake. Foufou, a dish made of mashed plantains, is meant to be flattened then used to scoop up the beans.

If you’re looking for grab-&-go

If you’re looking for something to eat on the go, try hawawshi ($6) at Egyptian Bites. Hawawshi is a common Egyptian street food for a reason: You can easily eat the handheld pocket of dough and meat without any silverware. Expect a baked pita stuffed with spiced ground beef, onion, parsley and pepper.
 
If you’re just in the mood for fried rice

Look no further than William's Kitchen Korean Comfort Food for tasty fried rice with a bit of heat. The kimchi bokkeumbap is a popular Korean food consisting of fried rice with kimchi (fermented vegetables) and green onion topped with a fried egg. You can order it vegan (no egg) with spam or chicken ($11) or beef ($12.50).

By Francesca Bond // Photography by James Pici at Buffalo Magazine