Top Most Popular Middle Eastern Foods

By
Saad Fayed
Saad Fayed
A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/7/20
Most popular Middle Eastern foods

The Spruce / Anita Schecter

All cuisines have their most popular dishes. English food is famous for fish and chips, Italian food is known for its amazing pasta dishes, and the Middle East is famous for hummus. But, of course, there's a lot more to all the world's cuisines. So below you will find the most popular and widely recognized Middle Eastern dishes and their recipes. For an added bonus, check out the ​Middle Eastern Food Gallery, where you'll find enticing photos of new and favorite dishes!

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Watch Now: How to Make Easy Veggie-Friendly Falafel

  • 01 of 09

    Hummus

    Hummus With Tahini

    The Spruce

    Starting with probably the best known Middle Eastern food, hummus is a mashed chickpea dip made with tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. It is an enticing appetizer, served with pita bread and vegetables but also amazing as a sandwich spread.

  • 02 of 09

    Tahini

    Homemade falafel with salad, tahini sauce on flat bread
    Westend61 / Getty Images

    A virtual tie for popularity, fame, and frequency of use is tahini. The sesame paste is a foundation for many good Middle Eastern recipes. It can be an ingredient, a dip or a spread and is used in both sweet and savory dishes.

  • 03 of 09

    Falafel

    Falafel

    The Spruce

    If you ask someone to name the most famous Middle Eastern food and their answer is not hummus, then it's almost certainly going to be falafel. This widely recognized staple is a fried ball made of chickpeas, onions, and spices. It is served both as an appetizer on a mezze platter or as the protein in a vegetarian meal. Falafel makes a great sandwich inside pita bread with Israeli salad.

  • 04 of 09

    Tabouleh

    Tabouleh wheat salad

    The Spruce 

    Tabouleh is a salad that is made with cracked wheat (also known as bulgur wheat), mint, parsley, and vegetables. It's served both as an appetizer or just a great light and healthy lunch.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Pita Bread

    Pita Bread

    The Spruce

    Pita bread is a staple in the Middle Eastern diet. It is served with just about every meal. Warm, toasted, stuffed, or dipped, pita bread is the most versatile food in Middle Eastern cooking. It's easy to make, too!

  • 06 of 09

    Baklawa or Baklava

    Perfect Baklava with Walnut
    sumbul / Getty Images

    In the Middle East, baklava is often pronounced baklawa. The spelling may be different but the tastes are very similar. The Greeks use honey, while, in the Middle East, orange blossom or rose water is commonly added to the sweet syrup. This delicious dessert may be time-consuming to prepare, but well worth the effort!

  • 07 of 09

    Baba Ghannouj

    Bowl of baba ghannouj with pita bread, close-up
    Jean-Blaise Hall / Getty Images

    Baba ghannouj is a vegetarian favorite. It's a smooth and creamy dip made with roasted eggplant and tahini, ideal for dipping pita bread or vegetables.

  • 08 of 09

    Turkish Coffee

    turkish coffee

    The Spruce

     

    Middle Easterners like their coffee strong and Turkish coffee is likely to be the beverage of choice. It has a bold, rich taste with a hint of cardamom. Prepared carefully in an ibrik, it's allowed to sit for a minute before serving to allow the coffee grains to fall to the bottom of the cup. According to a Turkish proverb "coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and as sweet as love".

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Turkish Delight

    Turkish Delight

    The Spruce

    Turkish Delight ​is the quintessential candies (also called lokum) in the Middle East. Made simply with sugar and cornstarch, they're addictive and irresistible!