The Most Popular Food in Iran, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:37
In a country celebrated for its rich culinary heritage, identifying the most beloved dishes can spark intriguing conversations and foster a deeper appreciation for regional flavors. For anyone curious about the tastes that capture the heart of Iran, a collective ranking serves as an enlightening guide. It highlights not just the diversity of the cuisine, but how preferences vary across different areas and communities.
By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a live snapshot of culinary trends and popular choices among food enthusiasts. This dynamic census not only assists travelers and locals in deciding what dishes to try, but also supports local businesses and chefs who are the custodians of authentic Iranian cooking. Engaging in this community-driven ranking can be a flavorful journey through the essence of Iranian culture.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Iran?
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155votesKabab is one of Iran's most popular dishes. It consists of skewered and grilled meat, usually lamb or beef, seasoned with spices and served with rice. The dish is often accompanied by grilled vegetables, such as tomatoes and onions.Kabab is a popular Iranian dish that consists of grilled skewered meat. It is a kebab style of cooking that has been perfected in Iran over centuries. The meat used in kabab can be lamb, beef, chicken, or a combination of these. The skewered meat is seasoned with various spices and marinades, giving it a delicious and aromatic flavor. Kabab is typically cooked over charcoal on a grill, creating a smoky and charred exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Meat Types: Lamb, beef, chicken
- Cooking Method: Grilled over charcoal
- Seasoning: Various spices and marinades
- Serving Style: Skewered, often served with rice
- Accompaniments: Grilled tomatoes, onions, and bread
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240votes
Amin Majidi · CC0Ghormeh sabzi is a stew made with herbs, red kidney beans, and meat, usually beef or lamb. It is a staple dish in Iranian cuisine and is commonly served with rice.Ghormeh sabzi is a traditional Iranian stew that is considered one of the most popular dishes in Iran. It is a rich, flavorful stew made with a combination of fresh herbs, mainly parsley, cilantro, and fenugreek, as well as meat, kidney beans, and dried Persian limes. The dish is typically served with fluffy basmati rice.- Main Ingredients: Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, fenugreek), meat (usually lamb or beef), kidney beans, dried Persian limes
- Flavor: Rich, herbaceous, tangy
- Preparation Time: Approximately 2 hours
- Cooking Method: Slow-cooked on the stovetop or pressure cooked
- Serving: Hot
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314votesDizi is a traditional Iranian stew made with lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, and tomatoes. The ingredients are slow-cooked in a clay pot and then mashed together to create a thick, hearty stew. It is often served with bread and pickles.
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421votesFesenjan is a rich and flavorful stew made with pomegranate paste, walnuts, and chicken or lamb. It is a popular dish for special occasions and is typically served with rice.Fesenjan is a popular Persian dish consisting of a rich and flavorful stew made with ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and usually chicken or duck. The dish is known for its unique combination of sweet and sour flavors, making it a delightful and savory treat.
- Primary ingredients: Ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, chicken or duck
- Flavor profile: Sweet and sour
- Color: Dark brown
- Texture: Thick and velvety
- Traditional serving: With saffron-infused rice
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513votes
AilinParsa · CC BY-SA 3.0Ash-e reshteh is a hearty soup made with noodles, beans, vegetables, and herbs. It is a popular dish during the winter months and is often served with bread and yogurt.Ash-e reshteh is a traditional Persian noodle soup that is considered one of the most popular Iranian dishes. It is a hearty and flavorful soup made with a variety of ingredients including reshteh (Persian noodles), beans, herbs, and spices. The soup is typically garnished with caramelized onions, fried mint, and kashk (a type of whey). Ash-e reshteh is often enjoyed during special occasions and festivals, and it holds an important place in Iranian cuisine.- Ingredients: Reshteh (Persian noodles), beans, herbs, and spices
- Garnish: Caramelized onions, fried mint, and kashk (whey)
- Flavor: Hearty and flavorful
- Importance: Considered one of the most popular Iranian dishes
- Occasions: Commonly enjoyed during special occasions and festivals
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64votes
مانفی · CC BY-SA 4.0Baghali polo is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish made with dill and lima beans. It is typically served with lamb or beef kababs.Baghali polo is a popular Persian dish known for its flavorful combination of rice, dill, and fava beans. It is typically served as a main course and is enjoyed by people of all ages in Iran.- Main Ingredients: Rice, dill, fava beans, and usually lamb or beef
- Flavor Profile: Aromatic, herby, savory
- Preparation: The rice is typically parboiled, mixed with dill and fava beans, and then cooked through the traditional Persian 'barg' method by layering the ingredients in a pot and steaming it to perfection.
- Serving Style: It is often served as a main course accompanied by grilled meat, such as lamb or beef kebab, and a side of fresh salad or pickles.
- Regional Variations: Different regions of Iran may add their own twist to Baghali polo, such as using different herbs or spices, or even incorporating other ingredients like saffron or barberries.
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715votes
Yallayallaletsgo · CC BY-SA 4.0Shirin polo is a sweet and aromatic rice dish made with saffron, orange peel, and almonds. It is often served at weddings and other special occasions.Shirin polo is a traditional Persian dish that is known for its fragrant and sweet taste. It is a type of rice pilaf dish that incorporates a combination of flavors and ingredients, resulting in an exquisite blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. The main feature of Shirin polo is the use of saffron-infused rice mixed with various dried fruits, nuts, and spices, creating a visually appealing and aromatic dish.- Saffron: Shirin polo is made using saffron-infused rice, giving the dish a distinct yellow color and a unique flavor.
- Dried fruits: The dish incorporates a mix of dried fruits such as raisins, barberries, and apricots, which add sweetness and texture.
- Nuts: Shirin polo usually contains a variety of nuts, including almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, to provide a crunchy element.
- Spices: The dish is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Sweetness: Shirin polo has a mildly sweet taste due to the addition of honey or sugar, balancing with the savory components.
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83votesKhoresh-e bademjan is a stew made with eggplant, tomatoes, and meat, usually beef or lamb. It is a popular dish in Iranian homes and is often served with rice.Khoresh-e bademjan is a popular Iranian dish consisting of eggplants cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce. It is often paired with rice and served as a main course.
- Ingredients: Eggplants, onions, garlic, tomatoes, ground beef (optional), vegetable oil, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Preparation: The eggplants are first sliced and fried until golden brown, then set aside. Onions and garlic are sautéed until golden and aromatic. Ground beef is added and cooked until browned. Turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper are added for flavor. Finally, tomatoes are added, and the mixture is simmered until the sauce thickens.
- Flavor profile: Khoresh-e bademjan has a savory and tangy taste with a hint of sweetness from the caramelized onions and tomatoes. The spices add warmth and depth to the dish.
- Serving method: Khoresh-e bademjan is traditionally served with Persian rice, known as chelow, and often accompanied by a side of fresh herbs, such as mint and cilantro.
- Variations: There are several variations of khoresh-e bademjan. Some recipes include meatballs or other proteins instead of ground beef. Vegetarian versions exclude meat and enhance the flavors with herbs and spices.
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97votesZereshk polo is a rice dish made with barberries, saffron, and chicken or lamb. It is a popular dish during the Persian new year and other celebrations.Zereshk polo is a traditional Iranian dish that combines fragrant saffron-infused basmati rice with barberries (zereshk) and is typically served with tender chicken. The dish is known for its delightful blend of flavors, including a subtle tanginess from the barberries and a hint of sweetness. Zereshk polo is popular both in everyday meals and special occasions, such as weddings and holidays.
- Flavor profile: Tangy and mildly sweet
- Main ingredients: Basmati rice, barberries, chicken
- Preparation: Cooked by layering partially boiled rice with cooked barberries and chicken, and then steaming all ingredients together until fully cooked and flavors are melded
- Saffron: Often used to infuse the rice with aromatic and golden color
- Garnish: Traditionally topped with saffron-infused butter
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103votesTahchin is a savory rice cake made with saffron, yogurt, and chicken or lamb. It is a popular dish for picnics and is typically served with salad and pickles.Tahchin is a popular Iranian dish made with layers of rice and marinated chicken or meat. It is typically baked in a pot or a pan, resulting in a golden and crispy exterior, while the inside remains moist and flavorful. The dish has a rich and aromatic taste, with hints of saffron, turmeric, and various spices. Tahchin is often garnished with barberries, roasted almonds or pistachios, and served with a side of yogurt or a fresh salad.
- Origin: Iran
- Primary Ingredients: Rice, chicken or meat
- Cooking Method: Baking
- Texture: Crispy exterior, moist interior
- Flavors: Saffron, turmeric, spices
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Cultural significanceTake into account the role of the dish in Iranian culture, including its historical, religious, or regional importance. This will help identify the foods that are deeply rooted in Iranian society.
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Frequency of consumptionConsider how often the dish is consumed by Iranians, whether it's a daily staple food or a dish reserved for special occasions.
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Local or international recognitionDetermine if the dish has received any recognition, either locally or internationally. This can help give a sense of how well-known and appreciated the dish is by Iranians and non-Iranians alike.
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Dietary considerationsGiven the growing importance of dietary preferences and restrictions, it may be worth considering the nutritional value of the dish or its adaptability for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets.
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Social media and online presenceAnalyze the presence and popularity of the dish on social media platforms and online reviews or forums. This can give an indication of the dish's popularity among the younger generation and people from different regions or countries.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Iran. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1769 views
- 175 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in iran
Iran is a country known for its rich culture, history and cuisine. Iranian cuisine is a blend of flavors and spices that have been passed down through generations. With such a diverse range of dishes, it's no surprise that there are a number of popular foods in Iran. One of the most beloved dishes in Iran is kebab, which is typically made with grilled meat served with rice and vegetables. Another popular Iranian dish is ghormeh sabzi, a herb stew made with lamb or beef, kidney beans, and a variety of aromatic herbs. In addition to these savory dishes, Iran is also known for its sweets, such as baklava and shirini-e berenji, a rosewater and rice flour cookie. With the combination of savory and sweet dishes, it's easy to see why Iranian cuisine is loved by so many.
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