Dr. Thea Zunick 
Ada’s Gojjo bridges flavors across two continents, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic, cuisines rarely seen side by side on a single menu. Well established as Asbury Park’s home for Afro-Caribbean fusion, Ada’s, located at 1301 Memorial Drive, blends warmth, spice, and family tradition in every dish. Whether seeking the traditional flavors of Ethiopian food or on a quest to experience a unique dish not served anywhere else, the care and culture are present in each bite of every dish. Keep reading to learn more about how this restaurant came to be.
All About Ada’s Gojjo
Owner Adanech Asghedom started her culinary journey long before opening the doors to her first restaurant in Long Branch back in 2009. Ada was the only one of her 12 siblings who loved to cook. She had her mother’s spoon in her hand as a young girl and a dream to open up a restaurant one day. She taught herself Ethiopian recipes passed down from her mother, later to be infused with bold Latin flavors from the Dominican cuisine.
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After moving to New Jersey after a successful career as an accountant and various other careers in hair and t-shirt printing, she realized how much she missed cooking and making people smile with the food she created. She set her eyes on a space in Long Branch but knew that selling an Ethiopian restaurant would be a challenge. She spent some time getting to know her potential clients and discovered that there was a representative population from the Dominican Republic there. Never having been to the Dominican Republic or even being able to speak Spanish, she instinctively picked up the flavors as naturally as she did when learning to cook in her mother’s kitchen.
In 2009, Ada’s Latin Flavor opened in Long Branch and had a successful run until 2018. She was encouraged by customers, or as she refers to them, “family” of her restaurant, to find a larger space. After hearing such positive things about the community in Asbury Park, she set her sights on that neighborhood for her next location. After relocating to Asbury Park, Ada found her perfect fit among the city’s passionate and caring foodie community. During the pandemic, when many restaurants closed, Ada’s stayed open, serving takeout and meals outdoors on her patio, which made her customers feel like family. It has become a place to gather, share, and taste something both new and deeply familiar.
What To Expect With an Ethiopian + Dominican Menu
A visit to Ada’s is a colorful journey of flavor and culture. As the door opens, a wave of warmth and spice fills the air, drawing guests in before they have even been shown to a table. The space is decorated with artifacts reminiscent of Ethiopian culture and greenery that brings a fresh bit of ambiance.
The menu is simple to navigate, with each meat or vegetable style organized into its own section. Signature dishes include Doro Wat, a spiced chicken stew served with injera, a spongy, tortilla-like bread with a subtle sourdough flavor from the fermentation process. The dish holds personal meaning for Ada, as it reminds her of family gatherings. Traditionally served during holidays, it carries the same spirit as turkey on the table in many United States homes. Another notable dish on the menu is her Duba Wat, a pumpkin stew, honoring a recipe passed down from her mother.
Dominican-style crowd favorites, including sandwiches and empanadas, are served filled with Ethiopian spices and flavors for a flavorful surprise. There are also platters for sharing that are dotted with meats, vegetables, and salads meant for sharing over stories and friendship.
Ada’s philosophy is simple: “Never take anything away from the flavor.” Even when adapting for new palates, she insists on preserving the integrity of each dish.
Vegan Options
Many of Ada’s dishes are naturally plant-based, thanks to Ethiopian culinary traditions that emphasize legumes and vegetables. Vegan diners will find plenty of hearty, satisfying options from butternut squash and cabbage to the creamy Shiro stew made with chickpea flour, minced onions, tomato, and spices, all which pair perfectly with injera bread.
Parking
Free street parking is available on Memorial Drive in front of the strip mall where Ada’s is located. There is also ample bike parking and a scooter station right in front.
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Eating at Ada’s Gojjo
Ada’s is located at 1301 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park. Seating is first-come, first-served, and takeout is popular among regulars.
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