01/21/2026
Dear Asempe Ebusua,
After a lot of reflection, we’re sharing an important update: Asempe Kitchen in Ithaca will be closing its current restaurant operations.
While this is a bittersweet decision, we want to lead with gratitude. We are deeply thankful for the opportunity to bring Asempe Kitchen to life in Ithaca—to share West African flavors, introduce plant-forward traditions, and create a space where food, culture, and community could meet. For everyone who welcomed us, supported us, nominated us for the plethora of awards and recognitions we got, and showed up with curiosity and love, we are forever grateful.
The reality is that a continued lack of foot traffic, paired with the challenges of the current economic climate has made it impossible to sustain day-to-day operations in this location.
To everyone who dined with us, told a friend, took a chance and tried something new for the first time, attended a cooking class, shared kind words, or simply kept coming back: Yεdaase pii! Nyεyiwala dɔŋŋ! Akpε na wo kakaaka! Thank You Very Much!
You gave this dream life! Ithaca, you made space for us.
This is not all together a goodbye. Asempe Kitchen will continue in the area, just in new ways. Our cooking classes will continue, and we are still listed as an Airbnb Experience. Please continue to reach out to us for catering and stay tuned for upcoming pop-ups.
Here are the next important details to know:
Our last day of service will be Sunday, February 1, 2026. We will go out in traditional Asempe style with our final Afrobeats in our Press Bay space from 11am-3pm.
Tickets are $20 or $25 at the door for a combo meal purchased ahead via venmo ( kitchen). Sobolo drink as well as other drinks via Open Spaces Cider extra.
We will also have an auction on Sunday, February 8th, 2026 from 12pm-4pm.
Although we are not exactly sure of our next few moves, we are working with Shared Kitchen Ithaca and Cornell Cooperative Extension for cooking classes.
Donate if you are able to our gofundme page in our bio.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you for being part of this culinary adventure.
With gratitude,
Chef Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe & the Asempe Kitchen Team.
