Meet Faris Alqabass of Mandi House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Faris Alqabass.

Hi Faris , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We started Mandi House with a simple goal: to introduce authentic Yemeni cuisine and true mandi flavors to our community. What began as a small idea grew through hard work, consistency, and the support of our guests. Today, we’re proud to share our culture through food and hospitality. Mandi House began as a passion project rooted in our love for Yemeni food and culture. Growing up, meals were about connection, generosity, and tradition—values we wanted to bring to the table. Through challenges, long hours, and learning every step of the business, we stayed committed to quality and authenticity. Today, Mandi House represents not just food, but a story of perseverance, culture, and community. Mandi house is proud to announce our expansion to San Francisco.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth road at all—especially bringing an entire Yemeni cuisine from the Middle East to a Western country like the United States, and more specifically, California. Introducing unfamiliar flavors, traditions, and cooking methods required patience, education, and consistency. It meant staying true to our roots while learning how to connect with a diverse audience and adapt to a very different market.looking back, those struggles shaped not only the restaurant, but me personally. They reinforced the importance of resilience, consistency, and staying true to why I started. The journey wasn’t easy, but it made the success more meaningful.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mandi House is a Yemeni restaurant dedicated to preserving and sharing authentic Yemeni cuisine, with a special focus on traditional mandi. Our food is rooted in time-honored cooking methods, slow-cooked meats, fragrant rice, and spice blends that reflect generations of Yemeni culinary tradition.
What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity without shortcuts. From the way our meats are prepared to the flavors we serve, we stay true to Yemeni techniques while presenting them in a way that welcomes a diverse audience. We don’t just serve food—we offer an experience that reflects Yemeni hospitality, generosity, and culture.
What we want readers to know is that Mandi House is more than a restaurant. It’s a cultural bridge, a family-driven business, and a long-term commitment to quality and authenticity. Our goal is not just to serve a meal, but to leave a lasting impression that encourages people to explore, appreciate, and return.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
For me Opening a Yemeni restaurant in California—introducing a cuisine that was unfamiliar to many people—was itself a major risk. It meant investing time, resources, and energy into something that didn’t come with a guaranteed audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MandiHouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandihouseusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584853004184
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/XoVd_kLBkD
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandihouseusa

Image Credits
Mandi Hosue