Kontiki African Restaurant — Restaurant in Little Rock

TL;DR Review: A much-needed (and delicious) addition to the culinary landscape of central Arkansas.

I'm worried, because there was another restaurant in this exact same location (maybe? It might have been next door) and that didn't work out. Kontiki wasn't as busy as I would have liked to have seen. I want to know that they're doing well. I live in the area, and I'm heartened to see a broadening culinary culture in Little Rock.

My wife and I pawned the children on my parents, so it was date night! It was a toss-up between Kontiki and Kimchi; neither of us had been to either place, but decided on Kontiki. I've had cheap replicas of Korean food recently, but if interrogated, couldn't tell you much about African food at all.

I loved the atmosphere; it's a medium sized cafe with clean lines and big splashes of color here and there. The napkins around the silverware are awesome. We were warmly greeted and told to sit where we like. Our waiter was the nephew of (I assume) the owner/chef. He was very nice, but admitted to not be knowledgeable about the menu. When I asked him what fufu was, he said he'd go get someone to explain it. I told him never mind; I'll just order it. So I had the Fufu with Okra Soup. My wife had the Jollof Rice and Beef Stew.

They delivered my wife's plate a good five minutes before I got my plate, but that was fine; I got a chance to taste everything. Her plate tasted like love, like home, like safety. The rice was spiced, familiar; the beef was delicious and hearty. The whole plate really reminded me of something my grandma made when I grew up, but spicier (mind, not too spicy; my grandma just wasn't that into spice). Probably the closest I've had to a home-made meal from a restaurant.

When my fufu was delivered, I was taken aback. The fufu looks like a large wad of uncooked pizza dough. I took my fork and cut off a small bit, put it in my mouth. My thoughts were something like, "Okay, it's kind-of flavorless, it's pasty... Why would anyone eat this?" I took another bit, chewed it up, trying to figure out what this faint taste is... "IT'S YUCK." I thought and swallowed as quickly as I could. I looked at my wife in horror, picked up my fork and went after the okra soup. Now THIS I can get into. It's basically like gumbo, but less spicy. While I was focusing my energy on the soup, and taking a piece of the fufu, dipping it in the soup, chewing and swallowing; she was researching fufu on her phone. Thank God, she finally says, reading: "Do not chew the fufu. Take a small bit, flatten it, dip it in the soup, and swallow without chewing." I thought, "That's weird, but okay," and tried it. First time wasn't great, but better than before. About five bites in I was completely sold. NOW I understand why people eat this. NOW I can do it. NOW I've experienced personal growth. And that completely changed the dish's dynamic. The soup tasted better with fufu. Because I'm WAY new at swallowing food without chewing it (I can't think of a single time I've eaten like that before), it didn't feel great; and I think I may have swallowed a couple of bones that jabbed my throat (so be careful), but I delighted in this new experience. That's what I...

Kontiki African Restaurant has become my go-to spot for an authentic taste of Africa right in the heart of the city. From the moment you walk in, the vibrant decor and inviting atmosphere set the stage for an incredible dining experience.

Let's start with the food — it's simply outstanding. One of my absolute favorites is the peanut butter soup with fufu. The creamy texture of the soup, combined with the hearty fufu, creates a comforting and flavorful dish that's unlike anything else. The richness of the peanut butter is perfectly balanced with spices that add depth to every spoonful.

Equally delicious is their egusi soup with fufu. The egusi, made from ground melon seeds, is cooked to perfection with tender pieces of meat or fish, creating a savory and aromatic soup that's a true delight.

For those looking for something crispy and savory, the rice akara is a must-try. These deep-fried rice balls are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, bursting with flavor. They make for a perfect appetizer or side dish.

Now, let's talk about the oxtails. Tender, succulent, and falling off the bone, they're braised to perfection and infused with rich flavors that make each bite a savory delight. Paired with their perfectly caramelized plantains, it's a match made in culinary heaven.

Beyond the exceptional food, the service at Kontiki African Restaurant is top-notch. The staff is friendly, attentive, and eager to share their knowledge about the dishes and the diverse culinary traditions of Africa. They make you feel welcomed and ensure that every visit is a memorable one.

In conclusion, whether you're a seasoned lover of African cuisine or new to its flavors, Kontiki African Restaurant is a must-visit. With dishes like peanut butter soup with fufu, egusi soup, rice akara, oxtails, and plantains that deliver on taste and authenticity, it's a culinary journey worth taking. I highly recommend experiencing the flavors of Africa at Kontiki — you won't be...

Argumentative hostess made us feel unwelcome; came to try African cuisine, came out with bitter taste. My family visited for dinner in late December, desiring a new type of food and perhaps a new favorite place. After about ten minutes of waiting, the sole waiter handed us a menu. We chose jollof and a "special" salty beef stew dish, making these choices essentially at random; as an inexperienced Asian family, we had no idea what the food looked like, and the lack of pictures or visually descriptive text left us in the dark. We received the (jollof) rice and this chunky green paste dish and began to eat. After biting into the chunks, we realized the green dish's meat was chicken, not beef, and tasted sweet, not salty. Calling over the waitress, we pointed to what we had ordered and requested that the green dish be corrected to our original choice. She refused. Despite acknowledging that she gave us "someone else's" dish, she told us that "we should have recognized" this dish as cassava leaves, and since we tasted from it (like the chumps we were) we had to eat it and pay for it. We expressed that we had no idea what any of their dishes looked like, and we just wanted to have what we ordered. She told us that we would have to pay for both, that it was "your fault" for eating what "wasn't ours." Have I mentioned that we were a naive Asian family with no prior knowledge of what anything looked like?

We eventually had to threaten to leave without paying for her to relent, grumbling about us in a tongue we couldn't understand as she went to the back. I don't like feeling unwelcome. I don't like arguing with people. I especially don't like being shamed for wanting to try something new.

I am glad to hear that so many other (non-Asian, loyal) reviewers felt welcome at this...