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Food & Dining

What is tire sega?

Tire sega is fresh raw beef, an Ethiopian delicacy served with awaze and mitmita. Here is what it is, how it is eaten, and where it fits in a meal.

By TiruListUpdated 2 min read

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A large metal platter lined with injera and topped with several meat and vegetable dishes on a restaurant table
A shared platter at an Ethiopian restaurant in Washington, DC. Photo: Kurt Kaiser, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Tire sega is fresh, raw beef, a prized delicacy served at celebrations and butcher-restaurants across the community.

Find restaurants that serve it

How it is served

Tire sega is served in cut pieces, often straight from a trusted butcher, with awaze (a berbere-based paste), mitmita (a fiery spice blend), and injera. Freshness and quality of the meat are everything, which is why it is a specialty of dedicated spots.

Two men under an umbrella leading a sheep home through a wet street in Addis Ababa
Bringing meat home from the market in Addis Ababa. Freshness is the whole point of a raw meat dish. Photo: Ralf Steinberger, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Related dishes

If raw is not for you, the same flavors appear in kitfo (minced, served rare to cooked) and tibs (sauteed). Many kitchens will cook tire sega to your preference on request.

Freshness and quality of the meat are everything.
Bowls of minced kitfo, red sauce and fresh cheese laid out with rolls of injera
A kitfo spread, with injera rolled at the side. Photo: Vipon8, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Assortment of Ethiopian dishes, including injera, stews, and vegetables. at Nazrawi Ethiopian Restaurant
At Nazrawi Ethiopian Restaurant, on TiruList. Photo from the business.

Frequently asked

Is tire sega safe to eat?

It is a traditional delicacy that depends on very fresh, high-quality meat from a trusted source. As with any raw meat, quality and handling matter, so choose a reputable place.

What is served with tire sega?

Usually awaze, mitmita, and injera. Some people enjoy it with a side of gomen (greens).

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