As part of “Global Gastronomy,” I try to discover and eat new cuisines. Often, I know a little bit about each cuisine before trying a new restaurant, while the actual food is usually all new. But, when my sister suggested I try a Bosnian restaurant, I realized I knew nothing about Bosnian cuisine.

When I found Aroma Cafe, the only Bosnian restaurant in Los Angeles, I knew I had to go in fully blind. There aren’t very many opportunities to try something completely new without preconceived notions, and I had to seize the chance.

The restaurant, located in West L.A. next to Rancho Park, has a charming vibe, with orange walls and scenic paintings adorning them. There are shelves filled with Bosnian treats and soft drinks that would make for an easy takeaway snack later in the day. My friend and I ordered at the counter and then found an open table. On the wall next to us was a giant photo of a moth that watched over us while we ate.

Bosnian food is a product of its history, most notably its time as part of the Ottoman Empire, now modern-day Turkey. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the drink I ordered: Turkish coffee. The drink came in a cezve, a small pot with a long handle where the coffee is brewed. Little by little, I poured the coffee from the cezve into my tiny cup.

The coffee was bitter and strong. Despite its strong flavor, the drink had a light, sweet undertone, making for small, pleasant sips. The coffee also came with a Turkish delight, known as rahat lokum in Bosnia. The treat was slightly stale, but its sweet and rose-like flavor balanced the coffee’s bitterness.

I also had a taste of my friend’s cappuccino. The coffee flavor really shone through. The milk wasn’t overpowering, and it was lightly sweetened, leading to a mellow and comforting experience.

Our food was served at the perfect time, just as we neared the end of our drinks. My friend ordered the bosanski lonac, a traditional slow-cooked vegetable and beef stew. This dish has been around for ages, created by Bosnian miners during the Middle Ages, and was loaded with flavor.

The broth was fatty and rich with delicious meaty and vegetable-forward flavors. The slow cooking made the beef incredibly tender and the vegetables very soft. The beef and veggies soaked up the broth, making each bite a flavor explosion. Rich and hearty, the stew is perfect for any illness — or hangover.

I ordered the “Aroma” sandwich, which came with beef prosciutto, diced bell pepper, olive oil, oregano and a creamy cheese spread. A sliced cucumber with an olive in the middle, resembling an avocado, adorned the plate. The bread was crunchy and thin, almost flatbread-like. The beef prosciutto was the main flavor that jumped out — thinly sliced, it had a savory, cured bacon-like taste.

A nice freshness was added by the bell pepper, helping to balance the prosciutto. The creamy cheese spread felt like an in-between of tzatziki and feta. Its texture and flavor were both welcome additions. Although subtle in flavor, the oregano and olive oil helped to tie the sandwich together.

The sandwich was unlike anything I’ve had before. Its blend of textures, from crunchy bread to chewy prosciutto to soft cheese, made each bite incredibly satisfying. Savory, fresh and creamy flavors all worked together to create a show for my taste buds. As I write this, my stomach is growling at the thought of that sandwich.

As we finished our respective dishes, the waiter brought our final item: apple pie. However, instead of being a regular slice of pie, the dessert resembled baklava, with layers of puff pastry wrapped around the apple pie filling. For a nice added effect, the apple pie was topped with powdered sugar.

The pie was soft and very sweet, with an apple filling that had that classic American apple pie flavor. The puff pastry was a very welcome Bosnian twist, adding a delightful, subtle flavor and a nice texture to the experience.

Everything about Aroma Cafe was unexpected — from the photo of the moth to the apple pie’s presentation to the incredible flavors of all the food. I started that day with not a clue about what Bosnian food was like and ended it with the “Aroma” sandwich as one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. Aroma Cafe thoroughly impressed me.

Whether for a full meal or just coffee and dessert, Aroma Cafe will surprise you and leave you wanting to come back for more.

Pablo Rodriguez is a junior writing about international cuisine in Los Angeles in his column, “Global Gastronomy,” which runs every other Wednesday.