We're all long overdue in recognizing Kent as a true food destination, rather than just a pre-Ikea stop. And Taste Of Yemen is one big slap-in-the-face reminder. Not only is this the Seattle area’s first Yemeni restaurant, but it does what so many places—regardless of cuisine—miss. Spices show up boldly, dishes are layered rather than flashy, and anything with lamb is a guaranteed hit. Dishes to prioritize include the slow-cooked lamb fahsa that bubbles in its clay pot and the soft lamb cubes sitting on a thick shmear of hummus that somehow gets even better with a drizzle of zippy zahawig. All of the above comes with flatbread—huge, soft, pillowy bread that stiffens fast (so eat it quickly). Taste Of Yemen is a nice place to sit and stay while, partly because of the comforting food and partly because of the contrast of the restaurant's red and black textiles, woven baskets, and gold accents with the gray strip mall outside. Weekend evenings stay busy, with entire families sliding into booths, people walking around saying hi to other tables, and cars double-parked out front just to grab food to-go. But on a weekday, it’s easier to get a table inside the small, welcoming dining room. When a dish whizzes by, and your nostrils inevitably decide the rest of your body must have it, you’ll want another stomach around to help. Most dishes are meant to be shared, and elbows are bound to bump while tearing bread and engineering the best swipe of hummus. So come with someone you actually want to eat with, not just merely sit next to. You'll both leave full, with a new favorite stew, and a deeper appreciation for Kent.