The Most Popular Food in Syria, Ranked

Choose the food you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:37
In a bustling market in Syria, the aromas waft through the air, drawing food lovers into a culinary dance of flavors and traditions intertwined. Each dish tells a story of culture, heritage, and community, recipe passed down through generations. As newcomers and locals mingle, the question often arises: which of these dishes holds the heart of Syria? By participating in voting for the most beloved dishes, individuals contribute to a collective effort to celebrate Syrian cuisine. This ongoing process helps not just to identify but also to preserve and elevate the dishes that embody the spirit of the nation. Engage in voting today, and help shape this flavorful journey!

What Is the Most Popular Food in Syria?

  1. 1
    56
    votes
    Grilled meat on skewers is a staple in Syrian cuisine and a popular street food.
    Kebab is a popular Arabic dish consisting of skewered and grilled pieces of marinated meat, typically lamb or beef, that are cooked over an open fire or on a grill. The meat is often seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, such as cumin, coriander, garlic, and paprika, which imparts a rich and savory flavor to the kebab. It is commonly served with rice, salad, and bread.
    • Meat: Lamb or beef
    • Cooking method: Grilling over an open fire or on a grill
    • Marination: Meat is marinated with aromatic spices
    • Spices: Common spices used include cumin, coriander, garlic, and paprika
    • Serving: Often served with rice, salad, and bread
  2. 2
    44
    votes
    A dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It is often served with pita bread.
    Hummus is a popular Arab food that is a thick spread made from cooked and mashed chickpeas blended with tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It has a smooth and creamy texture with a rich and earthy flavor. Hummus is commonly enjoyed as a dip or spread and is often served as an appetizer or a side dish with pita bread.
    • Main ingredient: Chickpeas
    • Additional ingredients: Tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Rich and earthy
    • Usage: Dip or spread
  3. 3
    12
    votes
    A Middle Eastern wrap made with grilled meat, vegetables, and sauce. It is often served with fries or salad.
    Shawarma is a popular Arab food that originated in the Middle East. It is a type of meat preparation, typically made with thinly sliced marinated lamb, beef, or chicken. The meat is often placed on a vertical rotating spit and slowly cooked, resulting in a tender and flavorful filling. The shawarma is commonly served in a pita bread or flatbread, along with various toppings and sauces.
    • Meat: Lamb, beef, or chicken
    • Marination: Thinly sliced meat marinated in a blend of herbs, spices, and sometimes yogurt
    • Cooking Method: Slowly roasted on a vertical spit, resulting in juicy and tender meat
    • Serving Style: Typically served in a pita bread or flatbread
    • Toppings: Common toppings include tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickles, and sometimes fries
  4. 4
    24
    votes
    A deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas, onions, and spices. It is often served as a sandwich or with hummus and pita bread.
    Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, mixed with various herbs and spices. It is typically shaped into small balls, patties, or nuggets, and then deep-fried until crispy. Falafel is known for its crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior. It is commonly enjoyed as a vegetarian or vegan option, served in pita bread or as part of a mezze platter.
    • Main Ingredients: Chickpeas or fava beans, herbs, and spices
    • Cooking Method: Deep-fried
    • Texture: Crispy exterior, soft interior
    • Shape: Balls, patties, or nuggets
    • Flavor Profile: Savory, aromatic, and mildly spiced
  5. 5
    21
    votes
    A salad made from parsley, tomatoes, onions, and bulgur wheat. It is often served as a side dish.
    Tabouleh is a traditional Arabic salad that is popular across the Middle East. It is made with a refreshing combination of finely chopped parsley, bulgur wheat, tomatoes, mint, and onion, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. The flavors are bright, tangy, and herbaceous, making it a delicious and refreshing dish.
    • Ingredients: Parsley, bulgur wheat, tomatoes, mint, onion, lemon juice, olive oil
    • Preparation Method: The parsley is finely chopped and mixed with soaked bulgur wheat. Then, diced tomatoes, minced mint, and diced onion are added. The salad is dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
    • Serving: Tabouleh is typically served as an appetizer or a side dish. It can be enjoyed on its own or alongside grilled meats, kebabs, or falafel.
    • Health Benefits: Tabouleh is highly nutritious as parsley is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is also a good source of fiber and can contribute to healthy digestion.
    • Cultural Significance: Tabouleh holds cultural importance and is often associated with festive occasions and celebrations in Arabic cuisine.
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    A salad made with mixed greens, vegetables, and toasted bread. It is often dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
    Fattoush is a traditional Lebanese salad, commonly enjoyed in various Arab countries. It is a refreshing and crunchy salad made with fresh vegetables, toasted bread, and a tangy sumac dressing.
    • Ingredients: Cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, green bell peppers, onions, lettuce, parsley, mint, purslane, toasted pita bread
    • Dressing: Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, sumac
    • Crunchy Element: Toasted or fried pieces of pita bread
    • Taste: Refreshing, tangy, and slightly sour
    • Texture: Crunchy from the vegetables and bread, with a softness from the dressing
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Baba ghanoush
    Basel15 at English Wikipedia · Public domain
    A dip made from eggplant, tahini, and garlic. It is often served with pita bread or as a side dish.
    Baba ghanoush is a popular Arabic dish made from roasted or grilled eggplant, blended with garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and various spices. It is a smooth and creamy dip with a smoky flavor and is typically served as an appetizer or mezze.
    • Main Ingredients: Roasted or grilled eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, spices
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Smoky
    • Usage: Commonly served as an appetizer or mezze
    • Serving Style: Often accompanied by pita bread or vegetables for dipping
    Baba ghanoush in other rankings
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    A dish made from lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. It is often served with yogurt.
    Mujaddara is a traditional Syrian dish that is enjoyed by many across the country. It is a simple yet delicious meal made from pantry staples such as lentils, rice, and onions. The creator of Mujaddara is unknown, as it has been a beloved dish in Syrian cuisine for centuries.
    • Ingredient 1: Lentils
    • Ingredient 2: Rice
    • Ingredient 3: Onions
    • Cuisine: Syrian
    • Course: Main
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    A Middle Eastern flatbread topped with za'atar, cheese, or meat. It is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
    Manakish is a traditional Arab flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients and cooked until crispy. It is a popular street food and commonly eaten for breakfast or lunch. The creator of Manakish is unknown, as it has been a part of Arab cuisine for centuries.
    • Origin: Arab cuisine
    • Type: Flatbread
    • Toppings: Various ingredients (e.g., za'atar, cheese, minced meat)
    • Serving Time: Breakfast, lunch
    • Texture: Crispy, doughy
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    A dish made from rice, meat, and vegetables. It is often served upside down, with the meat and vegetables on top of the rice.
    Maqluba is a traditional Palestinian and Jordanian dish that translates to 'upside down' in Arabic. It is a flavorful one-pot dish that typically consists of meat (such as chicken, lamb, or beef), rice, and a variety of vegetables like eggplant, cauliflower, and carrots. The ingredients are layered in a pot and cooked together until the rice is soft and fluffy. Once cooked, the pot is flipped upside down onto a serving plate, hence the name 'Maqluba.' The dish is often garnished with fried nuts and served with yogurt or a tomato-based sauce.
    • Origin: Palestine and Jordan
    • Main components: Meat (chicken, lamb, or beef), rice, vegetables
    • Cooking method: Layering ingredients in a pot and cooking them together
    • Flavor profile: Savory and aromatic
    • Typical seasonings: Cumin, turmeric, cardamom, and other Middle Eastern spices

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular food

  1. Cultural Significance
    Consider the historical background, regional influences, and traditional elements of the food. The cultural significance of a dish can greatly impact its popularity among Syrians.
  2. Taste
    The flavors, textures, and overall taste of the food play a major role in determining its popularity. The unique mixture of spices, herbs, and cooking techniques can greatly affect the final taste of a dish.
  3. Ingredients
    Some dishes might be popular due to the availability and use of local ingredients. The use of fresh and high-quality ingredients can also impact the food's popularity.
  4. Preparation method
    The cooking techniques and methods used in preparing the food, such as baking, grilling, or stewing, can influence its popularity.
  5. Dietary preferences
    The dish's compatibility with various diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, may impact its popularity among different segments of the Syrian population.
  6. Nutritional value
    The health benefits and the nutritional value of the food can be considered when determining its popularity.
  7. Occasion
    The significance of the dish in various events, celebrations, or occasions, such as family gatherings or religious ceremonies, can impact its popularity.
  8. Affordability
    The cost of the ingredients and the overall affordability of the dish can play a role in its popularity.
  9. Availability
    The accessibility and availability of the dish across different regions of Syria can impact its popularity among the locals.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Syria. 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

  • 1898 views
  • 203 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

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.

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More information on most popular food in syria

Syrian cuisine is a fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, with a rich history dating back to ancient times. The region's fertile lands have produced some of the world's most flavorful spices and ingredients, which have been used in Syrian cuisine for centuries. From hearty stews to savory kebabs and sweet pastries, the food of Syria is a delicious reflection of its diverse cultural heritage. With so many delicious options to choose from, it's no wonder that Syrians are passionate about their food and take pride in their culinary traditions. So, which dish reigns supreme as the most popular food in Syria? Let's take a closer look at the top contenders and find out!

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