Middle Eastern Cuisine Guides
Curious about the cuisines of the Middle East? Read our guides and essays to deepen your knowledge of Middle Eastern food history, cooking techniques, ingredients, and more.
Explore Middle Eastern Cuisines
![MishaZadeh_Nowruz_haftseen-1](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ryOOk7LLCQ_9MU3lxV1MYcECyqQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2018__03__MishaZadeh_Nowruz_haftseen-1-050f56b9f09e4213a87d28478af081c8.jpg)
A Time of Plenty: Celebrating Nowruz in America
![20210120-jerusalem_bagel_dan_perez](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/LeXJwrozyIBeu1CugbYZgf8vtsI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2021__01__20210120-jerusalem_bagel_dan_perez-ff7f40718cc440db839e70f0cc169c5f.jpg)
Ka’ak, and the Case for the Ancient Arabic Origins of the Bagel
![20140807-dubai-fish-market-weighing-naomi-bishop.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/SSGMva7CjL4BO0odFzsuao2DBaY=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__08__20140807-dubai-fish-market-weighing-naomi-bishop-0744b3dceabc4f869f270849ddd7bfc7.jpg)
A Visit to Dubai's Fish Souk
![20130809.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ddRGLxJCFu7TFFPGk4UihWhhCN0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2013__08__20130809-de35a204a85445e1aa25e6a21c6cb69e.jpg)
Serious Entertaining: A Middle Eastern-Inspired Feast
![Overhead view of tablescape of multiple hummus plates](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/qQXQZR-Reh7z_MCM0sDoTDt0Gvo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240501-Hummusguide-MaiKakish-00-c9666c77c00e4c7a8639dd17c1206295.jpg)
A Guide to the Wide World of Hummus
Palestinian Food 101: Recipes to Get You Started
![Overhead view of a plate of labneh with za'atar pita chips surrounded by a grocery store container of labneh, a bowl of zatar, and a plate of pita chips](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/cwJnvKW-7tqWQD_91SD1S57-3i8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Labne_ASuarez_472022_with-container-2-9ae6f59a43704badb01da27084d83b99.jpg)
All About Labaneh
![Armenian 101 header](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/6ZWHYDS_YDXw0ELSXXS2-7Ssw0o=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SEA_CuisineGuide_Armenian101-Header-cb929c78497445c99a2ae07f0eb6f898.jpg)
15 Armenian Recipes to Introduce You to the Vibrant Cuisine
![Overhead view of items in an Armenian Pantry](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/az3l4EI3qhgClB_B1DZOw15f32s=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240404-SEA-ArmenianPantry-AndrewJanjigian-27-f8f37aaed6aa48ef8b6a4bd124527fe2.jpg)
Your Complete Guide to Stocking an Armenian Pantry
![Persian Cuisine Guide](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ybUXvIlp35SQYGw0_WkBNY9pysc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240206-SEA-PersianCuisineguidehero-3e65bbcc9d5b4f87833805ff86170117.jpg)
Persian Food 101: Recipes to Get You Started at Home
![Essential ingredients of a Persian Pantry](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/izv3yUz8OW95G5yoReQtqcDGn48=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/persian-pantry-staples-01-d3ef5d2d09684a718f2a484a31cbd1d8.jpg)
How to Stock a Persian Pantry
![20140903-turkish-sweets-baklava-robyn-lee-10.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ZP2kWWv6y_m-EwSRYL5Cl6hs9JA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__09__20140903-turkish-sweets-baklava-robyn-lee-10-bc9b8a4dd4884d4fa465469548c19437.jpg)
Baklava and Beyond: 12 Turkish Sweets You Should Know
![20160721-turkish-Small piles of ingredients and spices used in Turkish cooking.-vicky-wasik.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/4Nz9fUG72xoOOqEeTIaoBmUT5xE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2016__08__20160721-turkish-pantry-vicky-wasik-5f70761295094ad9ac87c0a974e1f048.jpg)
How to Stock a Turkish Pantry: Flavorful Ingredients Worth Seeking Out
![20141204-mangal-kebab-max-falkowitz.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/74sINvZbqX3k5lDYK9Uf5CzOifQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__newyork.seriouseats.com__images__2014__12__20141204-mangal-kebab-max-falkowitz-07b7c91841974260a2a566e78a54ab6a.jpg)
A Tasting Tour of Sunnyside's Top-Notch Turkish and Lebanese Food
![20140304-turkish-primary.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/b4EBqcFjzwHRZhqcozeo4SswU2Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__newyork.seriouseats.com__images__2014__03__20140304-turkish-primary-57590b1bbbd0440dabbd9c2f0db47a70.jpg)
Destination, Jersey: The Wonderful Turkish Food of Paterson, NJ
![Overhead view of hummus b'tahini](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/2Z2kqkga8_2Hj_XdZaziCkr25J4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240422-SEA-HummusBtahini-Mai-Kakish-hero-e0142995ff0a44d19de71237283765fa.jpg)
Hummus B'Tahini (Hummus With Tahini)
![Overhead view of ka'ak al quds](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/sbOUntAsqhmsAGvsagI0BCiRm_s=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20221212-Kaak-al-Quds-hero-ad5281ef046d4c94bbf90c8c57b8d86b.jpg)
Ka'ak al Quds (Jerusalem Sesame Bread)
Mansaf (Palestinian Spiced Lamb With Rice and Yogurt Sauce)
Maftool (Palestinian Wheat Pearls in a Vegetable, Chickpea, and Chicken Stew)
![A smash falafel pita dressed with toppings next to more smash falafel pitas, a bowl of tahini sauce, and a bowl of zhug.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/guHxoorVuMU3NRy9_K5WUnE1Iik=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240618SEA-SmashFalafel-HannahHufham-00-74ef19cd4ae34ed891530b848e69b20d.jpg)
These Falafel Smash Pitas Are Super Easy—and Approved By My Arab Mom
![Side view of Sharma](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/wNY5NUwFs4pG319yZf21R_PE5No=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240611-SEA-Sharma-TwoBites20-8d49e49098984c7a950b82982028ccf8.jpg)
Yalanchi Sarma (Armenian Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves)
![Overhead view of hummus fatteh](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/WPoCzw7A7auNsAumHRSAaKv-BoQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240430-HummusFatteh-Mai-Kakish-12-69de3b3a31964881a1c288b17ffd6cc9.jpg)
Hummus Fatteh (Hummus With Crisp Pita, Fried Meat, and Pine Nuts)
![Overhead view of Qudsiyeh](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/wmMt_0di_c4SmzllmVMA_bsugNc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240430-Qudsiyeh-Mai-Kakish-11-ab6d49848e7f480abc3513c621e023f0.jpg)
Qudsiyeh (Hummus Topped With Fava Beans)
![Overhead view of makhloota](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/C_MfBpPi17GEFLHnhqZko5Potu8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240426-SEA-Makhloota-MaiKakish15-ce060dc481c646bb913e2ffd374b2d89.jpg)
Makhloota (Chickpeas and Fava Beans With Tahini)
![Overhead view of baleela](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/xc9kmEqQ01l8mZpM-6a56Tqhc3E=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240425-SEA-Baleela-MaiKakish-10-bae783938c48492f8989c780338f8c17.jpg)
Baleela (Creamy Chickpeas With Cumin and Pine Nuts)
![Overhead view of Fattoush](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/uv70y5BCK9zxA6vUEtGI7erzLrg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240424-SEA-Fattoush-Mai-Kakish-hero-f904e58e39284e9a82a8ef61df6466eb.jpg)
Fattoush (Chopped Vegetable and Pita Salad)
![haleem hero](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/6Al58YHDxofPsbBc063MQeo1Bk4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20240321-SEA-Haleem-NaderMehravari-hero-1-97defaf6a54548f48a89028ae8a9dc7d.jpg)
Haleem (Persian Savory Meat and Wheat Porridge)
![Side view of Faloodeh](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Ubs8uJWj_jMX78kbeXtNCMTOTv0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-Faloodeh-NaderMehravari-04-6cbf5851fbd64d26b58145aac1fbe6a7.jpg)
Fāloodeh (Persian Frozen Noodle and Rose Water Sorbet)
![Fessenjan-NaderMehravari-hero](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/bsG8Sz2-OdStA9YA6ZoI_RKTSg0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-Fessenjan-NaderMehravari-hero-4ca9b39dbb724c839dbbed292292766d.jpg)
Fesenjān (Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Meat Braise)
![kashk-o-bademjan-NaderMehravari-hero](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/0Zan6PKYH-aOkdzjzGKw1ORLlZg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-kashk-o-bademjan-NaderMehravari-hero-7365aee334a9451686ec4deb3e65d2d5.jpg)
Kashk-o-Bādemjān (Persian Braised Eggplant With Kashk)
![20231204-SEA-MaÌst-o-KhiaÌr-NaderMehravari-hero.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/bQfzfokU5-qTKiyc2tQAwkt5C4w=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-Mast-o-Khiar-NaderMehravari-hero-a225e9704b134537af247d5f07c754c7.jpg)
Māst-o-Khiār (Persian Yogurt with Cucumber)
![Overhead view of finished eggplant stew](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/hS2fvh4aD7IXu15reqpEj5rcRvA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-Khoresh-e-Bademjan-NaderMehravari-30-3e7ce98fb5df49cbbe26089eb3f53c1f.jpg)
Khoresh-é-Bādemjan (Persian Meat and Eggplant Stew)
![Overhead view of intricately decorated Sholeh Zard](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/z1ZGPh_M6yL0WL7gO54-iTaWOvU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-Sholeh-Zard-NaderMehravari-10-abd9d78371a8455ca38e841a7195240b.jpg)
Sholeh-Zard (Persian Saffron Rice Pudding)
![Overhead view of kotlets with tomatoes and french fries](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Smf5OgJcdIU29P0bFlr1Hu86Yz0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231204-SEA-VyTran-Kotlet-NaderMehravari-29-ba19a1160a9647c5b8492e16173e60b8.jpg)
Kotlet (Persian Ground Meat and Potato Patties)
![Overhead view of Shirazi salad with bread](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/wFriH0THI3UacPadm8J7_vREJ3U=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231101-SEA-ShiraziSalad-Nader-Mehravari-hero-6c98e4d81ab248fe9a79e7a80c940d7f.jpg)
Sālād-é-Shirāzi (Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad)
![Overhead view of labaneh on a plate drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and served with pita bread.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/1L4d_ckaTMaz7pHokRRdQx_JDfg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20230530-SEA-Labneh-Amanda-Suarez-hero2-1fe6ffb6687a4d11a9547a497a55d78b.jpg)
Homemade Labaneh (Labneh)
Basbousa Bel Ashta (Semolina Cake With Ashta Cream Filling)
![Overhead view of a half of dish of Egyptian fatta](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/6DkMQqcF3MaL49C3qFhw9kV4O2M=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Serious-Eats_2023MPP_JenCausey_Fatta-210f5de0103646b6b6003090095770fe.jpg)
Egyptian Fatta
![Egyptian Bissara](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/uzf13TKm_uRAHsLJkeRZgX3r4RA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220214-Egyptian-Bissara-DuPree-c91cc60552bc441ca27895a347aab3b9.jpg)
Egyptian Bissara (Split Fava Bean Dip)
![Halal cart-style chicken and rice](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/VvBJGIiaJ82bLRwGC91JIJC79f4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20210710-halal-chicken-rice-diana-chistruga-seriouseats-1-a6e13a5ffd844e568d421aec70d8bb55.jpg)
Serious Eats' Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice With White Sauce
![A small bowl of toum, Lebanese garlic sauce, with a spoon next to it.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ckMTNB1GrQ4KNMDvjUDMRTVhWZo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2017__10__20170919-toum-garlic-sauce-vicky-wasik-6-dcbf438eef2e41678674eca90293680f.jpg)
Traditional Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)
![Dipping pita bread into baba ganoush in a small bowl, drizzled with olive oil.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/DucIdGBmaPStPlAt1r2NI8z7wiw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2014__02__20140225-baba-ganoush-recipe-food-lab-vegan-primary-3-30d3fa6c920a4c3dafce66e140a35905.jpg)
The Best Baba Ganoush
![A stack of pitas on a wooden surface](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/dBREfvWJ7KiR5h7zZxMm4erTnwk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2015__08__20150626-Stacked-Perfect-Pitas-Yvonne-Ruperti-Edit-Edit-bf72e9e490e148e0b95c56c04a0d18ab.jpg)
Homemade Pita Bread
![Overhead shot of a bowl of chicken and lentil stew topped with fried onions and tomatoes](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Y4g4fI0VpJuo3omNnUjIDiR_pds=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2020__04__20200429-Lentils-Chicken-daniel-gritzer-6d0fa2a3416243f68975f4c008985bb9.jpg)
Chicken and Lentil Stew With Tomatoes and Onions Recipe
Maqlubeh (Palestinian "Upside Down" Meat, Vegetables, and Rice)
![Plated msakhan.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ie6DdCFrWazofDs8A9k7NCdDI_Y=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20211201-msakhan-vicky-wasik-36-8583aa93caa4496c81497db85c96a905.jpg)
Msakhan (Palestinian Flatbreads With Onion, Sumac, and Spiced Roast Chicken)
![Taboon breads in a cast-iron skillet on river pebbles and spread out across a white linen.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/ITX-rAahVKkGM4_OV0DezGoOs1c=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/taboon-mai-kakish-32-c57eb2a5d5a84e4296a0a3a96f7c1d8e.jpg)
Taboon (Palestinian Flatbread)
![Shurabet el eid in a white bowl](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/d7KZDd2OJT-oyq2qkgyw0493xf4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/210427-SHURABET-JillianAtkinson-13-98cb798794ac4c32848f48a035667fb5.jpg)
Shurabet el Eid (Holiday Soup) Recipe
![North African Tuna Rice Salad](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/8pqcMiz-Nc0QIPsP4a3d1s643cI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20210427-RICE-sALAD-jillian-atkinson-6-f992d4ba255a4f0db526b1d3f75e9d1d.jpg)
North African Tuna and Rice Salad
![Labaniyeh bil Ruz in a black bowl with toasted pine nuts](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/DQp9Mguca9Ylveiy2a69Byw14H8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/210427-LABINYEH-JillianAtkinson-9-a18aa3266e0c448fb6269d01f342dc9b.jpg)
Labaniyeh bil Ruz (Garlicky Yogurt and Rice Porridge) Recipe
Qidreh (Palestinian Bone-In Lamb With Spiced Rice)
Kafta bi Bandora (Palestinian Ground Meat Patties in Tomato Sauce)
Dawali (Palestinian Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Hashweh (Palestinian Spiced Rice and Meat)
Salata Falahiyeh (Palestinian or Farmers Salad)
![Plated pita bread stuffed with falafels, tahini, tomatoes, cucumber, pickles, and shredded cabbage](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/IWcAATi5p2Lw9_rOGYj-Tki6p4E=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20230919-SEA-the-food-lab-vegan-experience-best-homemade-falafel-recipe-hero-05-QiAi-6948b82b923e43b6a9faf9f28de1349f.jpg)
Homemade Falafel
![Overhead closeup of a square bowl of hummus, garnished with a large parsley sprig.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/lDzubisLgEXI_iCIt4j4R7hcyGQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2012__06__201206515_Tahini_Primary2-912cd8a6acb34ad595246b18f5942299.jpg)
8 Ways to Use Tahini
![Side view of holding Sabich](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/5NyieH3ezlSuBMhtZa3mXBrpjXU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20160317-sabich-sandwich-vicky-wasik-reedit21-14e71a78db284615983447dfc3533eb7.jpg)
Sabich Sandwiches (Pitas With Eggplant, Eggs, Hummus, and Tahini)