The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Syrian Foods. If you manage to be in an Syrian restaurant or you are visiting Syria, I recommend the following:
1. Fattoush
Fattoush is a salad typical of Syrian and Lebanese cuisine. It is made with cucumber, tomato, parsley and fresh mint. The characteristic ingredients of this salad are sumac (a spice widely used in the Middle East that is extracted from the sumac fruit, a deep red berry) and pita bread cut into strips or cubes, fried or toasted. Other optional ingredients are lettuce, radishes, green pepper, black olives or feta cheese.
2. Basbousa
Bosbousa is a cake made of semolina and ground almonds soaked in syrup. It is called basbousa in Arabic, revani in Turkish and ravani in Greek, although it is also more popularly known in Arabic as hareesa. This particular dessert is widely prepared in all these regions, and will be found in bakeries and restaurants, as well as in any home. The dessert is usually dipped after baking in a cold sugar syrup, which can sometimes be flavoured with orange blossom water, orange or lemon zest, and spices such as cloves and cinnamon.
3. Baklava
Baklava is a popular Syrian dessert that can be enjoyed in a wide variety of eating establishments in Syria. It is made from filo dough, sugar syrup with a dash of lemon juice and walnuts. It tastes spectacular and is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. The appearance of the desert resembles that of a small cake, usually served in square pieces, making it very easy to eat.
4. Muhammara
Muhammar is a typical Syrian dressing prepared using walnuts and roasted red peppers. It is commonly eaten with Arabic bread, as both ingredients make a very good combination. In addition to the two elements mentioned above, it is also common to add lemon juice, garlic, pomegranate malt, olive oil, cumin, breadcrumbs, among others. It is characterised by a slightly spicy taste, although very pleasant.
5. Ful Medames
Prepared with fava beans, parsley and fresh tomatoes complemented with lemon, tahini, olive oil, salt and a tasty toasted sesame seed sauce, Ful Medames is a typical Syrian dish that originates from Egyptian cuisine. It is a very popular stew that is usually served at lunchtime. It is a hearty meal that is quite satisfying to its diners. It is commonly found in restaurants and is served with pita bread.
6. Samaka Harra
There are many different recipes for this spicy fish dish, from Latakia in northern Syria to Gaza. Some recipes bake the whole fish in the oven, while others remove the flesh to make a kind of surimi. This is usually reserved for special occasions. Perfect for buffets. Can be served warm or at room temperature, made the day before and garnished a few hours before serving.
7. Kebab Halabi
Kebab is a dish with a long tradition, which has received worldwide success thanks to the commercial skills of the Turks, who spread their version called Doner Kebab, a version inherited from the Ottoman Empire. The word shawarma is derived from the Turkish word çevirme, which means ‘turn’. It is very popular in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. This recipe mixes ground lamb or meat, with spices such as sumac and dried fruits (pine nuts or almonds). Another important element is the tomato sauce with which the meat is served. The last layer on top is usually lamb fat.
8. Kibbeh Bil Sanieh
Baked lamb kibbeh called kibbeh bil sanieh in Syria is considered the national dish. It is loved in many Middle Eastern countries, especially in Syria and Lebanon. This dish typically made with lamb is similar to a pot roast, a real comfort food. It is made with fine bulgur which gives it a lovely consistency and texture, whether eaten cooked or raw. This baked lamb kibbeh is full of flavour and is the kind of dish that would be perfect for any family meal. It is usually served with a side of yoghurt sauce.
9. Dolma
Dolma is a traditional Syrian food with origins in Azerbaijan. It is prepared by taking pickled grape leaves and covering them with various vegetable pieces, marinated meat, rice, a little salt and pepper. They are then rolled up and lemon juice and chicken stock are poured over the top, which gives them even more flavour. This is a very versatile dish that leaves a lot of room for the chef’s imagination. Thanks to this, there are many delicious variations you can try. Some of the most popular ones are vegetable, fruit or seafood dolma.
10. Yabraq
Yalanji is a Syrian snack made from vine leaves stuffed with rice and various vegetables and served cold. In Syria, vine leaves are used in two dishes, yalanji and yabraq: vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, boiled in lemon juice and served as a main dish. In fact, the star of yabraq is full. The vegetables on the outside are just a vehicle for the delicious vegetable filling. Usually, you can make it with vine leaves or even small aubergines. But you can also use silky beetroot leaves. There are 2 very popular stuffed vine leaves, one is a vegetarian recipe that we share with you today, and the other is stuffed with ground veal and cooked on a leg of lamb.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.