Dec 16, 2025

8 foods from the Middle East you must try once

Aanya Mehta

Fatteh (Lebanon/Syria)

Layers of toasted pita, chickpeas, yogurt, garlic and spices come together to create a creamy, crunchy, tangy dish. Found in different regional variations, it’s often enjoyed for breakfast.

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Fesenjan (Iran)

A luxurious Persian stew made with ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, usually cooked with chicken. Its sweet sour richness and velvety texture make it unforgettable.

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Gözleme (Turkey)

A traditional Turkish stuffed flatbread filled with spinach, cheese, potatoes or minced meat, cooked on a griddle. It’s rustic, fast, and incredibly delicious, perfect street food.

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Kabsa (Saudi Arabia)

A fragrant rice dish slow cooked with meat, tomatoes and a special spice blend called baharat, often garnished with nuts and raisins. It’s aromatic, festive and deeply satisfying.

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Koshari (Egypt)

Egypt’s national dish, a wildly satisfying mix of rice, lentils, pasta and crispy onions topped with spicy tomato sauce. It’s a flavour explosion and one of the Middle East’s best vegetarian meals.

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Kunafa (Palestine/Lebanon)

Crispy shredded filo pastry layered with soft cheese, soaked in fragrant sugar syrup and flavoured with rose or orange blossom. A dessert that’s indulgent, iconic, and a must-try.

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Mansaf (Jordan)

A rich, comforting Jordanian dish made with lamb cooked in jameed (fermented dried yogurt), served over rice and thin bread. It’s deeply traditional and full of bold, tangy flavours that are unlike anything else in the region.

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Mujadara (Levant)

A simple yet soulful combination of lentils, rice and caramelised onions. This humble dish packs protein, fibre and surprising depth, making it a favourite comfort food across Lebanon, Syria and Palestine.

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Plant-based choline rich foods you should try once