The Heart & Story
Behind Dejen Gursha
From the highlands of Ethiopia to the neighborhoods of Boston — every dish we serve carries generations of tradition, spice, and love.
What Does "Gursha" Mean?
"Gursha" is the Ethiopian act of feeding someone by hand — a gesture of profound love, honor, and deep friendship. To give someone a gursha is to say: "I see you. I bless you. You are family."
At Dejen Gursha, every plate is our gursha to Boston. We believe food is the most powerful expression of care, and we built this truck around that belief. Our founder, Chef Dejen, grew up in Addis Ababa watching his grandmother cook massive communal feasts — the kind where injera stretched across the entire table and strangers became family over a shared meal.
After moving to Boston in 2016, Chef Dejen couldn't find the flavors that felt like home. So in 2019, he launched Dejen Gursha — a food truck dedicated to bringing authentic, uncompromising Ethiopian cuisine to the streets of the city he now loves.
2019
Founded
10K+
Meals Served
200+
Events Catered
4.9★
Avg. Rating
Meet the Team Behind the Truck
Small crew, big heart. Every member of the Dejen Gursha family brings passion, skill, and authentic cultural knowledge to every service.
Chef Dejen Tadesse
Founder & Head Chef
Born in Addis Ababa and trained in the kitchens of legendary Ethiopian restaurants, Dejen brings 15+ years of culinary tradition to every dish. His doro wat recipe is a closely guarded family secret.
Almaz Gebre
Sous Chef & Injera Master
Almaz has been perfecting teff injera fermentation for over two decades. Her three-day fermentation process produces the perfectly tangy, airy injera that guests rave about most.
Beza Haile
Coffee Ceremony Host & Front-of-Truck
Beza is the warm face of Dejen Gursha. A certified buna (coffee) ceremony practitioner, she brings the full Ethiopian coffee ritual to every catered event — from roasting to serving.
Why Choose Dejen Gursha?
Authentically Sourced Ingredients
We source 100% whole teff grain, single-origin Yirgacheffe coffee beans, certified organic split-peas, and imported sun-dried berbere blends directly from fair-trade Ethiopian farmers. No preservatives or shortcuts — ever.
Slow-Cooked Tradition
Our stews simmer for 4–6 hours per batch. Good Ethiopian food cannot be rushed — the depth of flavor comes from patience and time-honored technique.
Community First
We actively support the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Greater Boston — from partnering with local events to donating meals to community centers monthly.
Inclusive & Dietary-Friendly
Premium cuts of meat, dedicated gluten-free teff flatbread options, dairy-free vegan dishes, and a completely nut-free prep kitchen to welcome every guest.
Award-Winning Street Food
Named "Best Food Truck" at the 2023 Boston Street Food Festival and featured in Boston Magazine, WBUR, and the Boston Globe's dining section.
Certified Food Safety & $2M Insured
Fully permitted by the Boston Inspectional Services Dept (ISD), ServSafe Certified food safety managers, and backed by a comprehensive $2,000,000 general liability policy for total event peace of mind.
