Arab cuisine
Levantine culinary traditions
Arab cuisine encompasses the culinary traditions of Arabic-speaking countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
Common elements include olive oil, lamb, rice, flatbreads, chickpeas, yogurt, and spices like cumin, coriander, and za'atar.
Dishes vary by region—Levantine tabbouleh and hummus, Gulf machboos, North African tagines—but share techniques like grilling, slow-cooking, and generous use of fresh herbs.
We ordered a spread of Arab cuisine for the party.
Ground sesame paste
- pomegranate molassesBoiled-down seeded fruit juice
- preserved lemonsCitrus fermented in salt
- datesCalendar numbers or courtship
- chickpeasBeige edible legumes
lamb · olive oil · bulgur · pine nuts · almonds · pistachios · yogurt · eggplant
Mashed chickpea spread
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
- shawarmaCarved rotating-spit meat
- kebabGrilled food on skewer
baba ghanoush · kibbeh · ful medames · dolma · tagine · couscous · knafeh · baklava
Middle Eastern small dishes
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- sharingDividing among others
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- guestsPeople received hospitably
welcome · coffee ceremony · mint tea · dates · bread and salt · banquet · host · communal dining
tahini
Ground sesame paste
- pomegranate molassesBoiled-down seeded fruit juice
- preserved lemonsCitrus fermented in salt
- datesCalendar numbers or courtship
chickpeas · lamb · olive oil · bulgur · pine nuts · almonds · pistachios · yogurt · eggplant · pita
hummus
Mashed chickpea spread
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
- shawarmaCarved rotating-spit meat
kebab · baba ghanoush · kibbeh · ful medames · dolma · tagine · couscous · knafeh · baklava · halva
mezze
Middle Eastern small dishes
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- sharingDividing among others
- generosityReadiness to give freely
guests · welcome · coffee ceremony · mint tea · dates · bread and salt · banquet · host · communal dining · warmth
za'atar
Levantine herb blend
saffron · turmeric · coriander · allspice · cinnamon · nutmeg · fenugreek · aniseed · clove · caraway
harissa
North African chili paste
Arab cuisineScandinavian cuisine
Northern European cooking traditions
Nordic cuisine · Japanese cuisine · East Asian cuisine · Chinese cuisine · British cuisine
Arab cuisineAmerican cuisine
Food traditions from the States
British cuisine · French cuisine · fast food · home cooking · comfort food