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Masuda Abdullah opened Masuda’s Cafe last month in Amherst. The cafe, an homage to Abdullah’s Afghan roots, offers North American and South Asian cuisine, occasionally borrowing flavors from both to create unique fusion food. Masuda’s is located at 17 Kellogg Ave. -
Roht, top, camel eyes, left, and namaki, right, sit on a plate at Masuda’s Cafe, a new restaurant in Amherst. -
Inside Masuda’s Cafe in Amherst. The cafe, an homage to owner Masuda Abdullah’s Afghan roots, offers North American and South Asian cuisine, occasionally borrowing flavors from both to create unique fusion food. -
Roht, back, camel eyes, left, and namaki, right, sit on a plate next to a cup of sheer chai at Masuda’s Cafe in Amherst. -
Owner Masuda Abdullah (right) opened Masuda’s Cafe (above) last month at 17 Kellogg Ave. in Amherst. -
Ahmad Esfahani pulls a shot of espresso at Masuda’s Cafe in Amherst. -
Masuda’s Cafe opened last month in Amherst. The cafe, an homage to owner Masuda Abdullah’s Afghan roots, offers North American and South Asian cuisine, occasionally borrowing flavors from both to create unique fusion food. Masuda’s is located at 17 Kellogg Ave. -
A cup of sheer chai at Masuda’s Cafe. -
Roht, back, camel eyes, left, and namaki, right, sit on a plate at Masuda’s Cafe in Amherst. -
An espresso machine at Masuda’s Cafe.
AMHERST — Walking into Masuda’s Cafe feels like stepping into a tea party hosted by a friend in their home.
The aroma of chai fills the air, soft string instrumentals play in the background and plants arranged near sunny windows beckon guests to sink into a cushy armchair and enjoy a plate of dessert.
Masuda’s Cafe, named after owner Masuda Abdullah, serves North American and South Asian cuisine, occasionally borrowing flavors from both to create unique fusion food. The cafe is an homage to Abdullah’s Afghan roots, and she credits her family, especially her brothers Arash and Jawid, as well as her aunt, for helping the cafe come to life.
“I believe it takes an army to create something like this,” she said.
Abdullah moved to West Springfield from Toronto two years ago with her family. She says that they were looking into properties in Connecticut, but fell in love with Amherst; it reminded her of the hustle and bustle where she grew up. Now, she’s excited to see a plethora of customers — including professionals, students and community members — come through the doors of her cafe.
Located at 17 Kellogg Ave., Masuda’s Cafe is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it is open for breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m.
One side of the spacious cafe is designed for full service breakfast and lunch, where a host greets guests, and the other side is designated for quick service, where people can sit with their laptop or with friends to grab some food.
When Abdullah opened the cafe last month, she hoped to create a space where people felt welcome. “What we’re trying to do is just create a place that is kind of an extension of people’s homes,” she said.
Food being an integral part of Afghan culture, the menu curation was also very important to Abdullah. She drew inspiration from Afghan flavors and flavors from Pakistan and India, but she also added North American classics so customers could enjoy familiar food as well.
One of her favorite menu items is the spicy tomato poached egg dish; it’s her favorite Afghan breakfast.
“I can eat it every single day,” Abdullah said with a smile. “Like, there’s days where I wake up and I’m like … craving it.” She also enjoys the sheer chai, a smooth brew made with black tea and cardamom.
While she has both cuisines on the menu, she says that people have actually been more enthusiastic about the Afghan menu items and are eager to try new things — including upping the spice — so the cafe might edit the menu as it sees how items are received over the next few months.
Also on the menu is bolani, an Afghan flatbread stuffed with spiced potatoes, green onions and fresh herbs served with yogurt sauce, and sweet treats like camel eyes cookies, oval-shaped shortbread dusted with powdered sugar and bound with silky dulce de leche filling and white chocolate. There are also some unique fusion items, including French toast with cardamom and saffron.
In the creation of Masuda’s Cafe, Abdullah says she always preferred to be behind the scenes, so putting her name on the cafe was a big move. Owning a cafe had not been a lifelong dream, but is something that she expresses a lot of gratitude for now, especially being able to serve Afghan food to the community.
When asked how she feels about college students returning to the area in August, Abdullah said it might feel like a whirlwind in the beginning but that the cafe will be ready to welcome them.
“It makes me feel so blessed that I’m able to … share, like, my childhood, my culture, our traditions,” said Abdullah.
She says the cafe isn’t just about the food, but is also centered around the hospitality that Afghanistan is known for.
“Anybody that walks through the doors is our guest,” she said. “They’re here because they’re an extension of our family. They are our guests and we want to make sure that they’re treated in the best regard.”