Summer 2025's sensation in pop-up dining: Kiano Moju dishing out 'AfriCali' fare in Culver City
Jikoni Pop-Up Brings AfriCali Cuisine to Culver City
Kiano Moju's pop-up restaurant, Jikoni, is now open at Citizen Public Market in Culver City. The vibrant food hall is home to Moju's seasonal pop-up, which showcases an "AfriCali" menu inspired by her East African and West African heritage, blended with Californian influences.
The menu at Jikoni revolves around street-food kebabs, reminiscent of those from coastal Kenya, and other dishes derived from Moju's cookbook, "AfriCali." One standout dish is an omelet filled with bacon, avocado, and tomato jam wrapped in chapati, a nod to the Ugandan street food "rolex."
Grilled skewers are a highlight at Jikoni, with Moju marinating chicken thighs in a buttery sauce made from smoked paprika, Kashmiri chile powder, ginger, garlic, and lemon juice. Another popular item is the "Suya," where lamb chops are thoroughly coated with yaji, a peppery spice blend, and rosemary.
Jikoni's design pays homage to African pottery, art, and cookbooks written on a breadth of cuisines across Africa and its diasporas. The interior is reminiscent of the dining room of Two Hommés in Inglewood, which Moju helped reenvision.
Every Sunday night, Jikoni serves a Swahili-style biriyani as a special. This Kenyan variation features saucy spiced meat (short ribs) cooked separately and combined on the plate with fried onions and rounds of green chile.
Jikoni is open Wednesday through Sunday during the summer of 2025. You can find it at Citizen Public Market, 9355 Culver Blvd., Culver City.
Moju, the author of "AfriCali," one of the Food team's favorite cookbooks of 2024, has given herself a new job title: restaurateur. Gustavo Arellano has the scoop on a new iteration of Carlos Salgado's Taco María, with the location being Wisconsin.
To learn more about Jikoni and its menu, visit jikoni.co.
- Kiano Moju's pop-up restaurant, Jikoni, serves "AfriCali" cuisine, a blend of her East African and West African heritage with Californian influences, in Los Angeles' Culver City at Citizen Public Market.
- Jikoni's menu features street-food kebabs inspired by coastal Kenya and dishes from Moju's cookbook, "AfriCali," such as an omelet wrapped in chapati, a reference to Ugandan street food.
- Grilled skewers are a popular item at Jikoni, where chicken thighs are marinated in a buttery sauce and lamb chops are coated with yaji and rosemary.
- The interior design of Jikoni pays homage to African pottery, art, and cookbooks, incorporating elements from the dining room of Two Hommés in Inglewood.
- Every Sunday night, Jikoni serves Swahili-style biriyani as a special, featuring saucy spiced meat, fried onions, and green chile rounds.
- Moju, author of "AfriCali," which was one of the Food team's favorite cookbooks of 2024, has added the title of restaurateur to her repertoire.
- Jikoni's online presence showcases their offerings, allowing customers to learn more about the pop-up by visiting jikoni.co.
- Along with the success of Jikoni, Moju shares updates on a new iteration of Carlos Salgado's Taco María, which will be located in Wisconsin, on social media and in entertainment news.
