Iraq, UAE – Masgouf (National dish of Iraq)

The most important and lovable dish of Iraq that is also a national dish of Iraq is this dish. Whole fish is cooked instead of fish pieces. This is the way to represent this dish, masgouf. Iraqi cuisine is called Mesopotamian cuisine. It is originated by different regional cuisines including Persians and Iraq, etc. Masgouf is well recognized by Middle Eastern restaurants and other Middle Eastern countries and, is a very old and traditional dish of Mesopotamian cuisine.

United Arab Emirates – Kofta

Kofta is a member of Meat Balls and have name derived from Persian word, KUFTA. This is shaped especially into balls as a KOFTA but different shapes can be made out of the same batter of meat. Kofta can be made up of even vegetables like cabbage, potato, mixed vegetables, calabash, unripe bananas, etc. There is a huge variation of the same element of the dish and included in many countries’ national cuisine.

United Arab Emirates – Kanafeh / Kunafe

Kunafa or Kanafeh, is actually a sweet dish/ dessert from the United Arab Emirates. Kitab al tabikh is a book of Dishes from Persia and Arabs. The word Kunafa is mentioned in this book. Kitab Al Tabikh Al Magrib Wal Andalus is also a book from MAHGREB and ANDULAS. In this book, Kunafa is described as thin crust, crepes are made layered with Cheese and rose syrup, topped with nuts.

The United Arab Emirates – Manakish

This is a dish which is also known as ARABIAN PIZZA. Manakish is an Arabian dish, which is a flattened dough served with Arabian toppings. As the special Arabic dish, this dish is eaten in Dubai, Saudia Arabia, Lebanese, Syria, Egypt, etc. Its place of origin is ”LEVANT”, a large area of Eastern mediterraen. The word Manakish or Manaquish is taken from Arabic word Manqushah that is formed by NAQUSH means to crave out.

Palestine, United Arab Emirates – Lamb Kubba

This dish is one of the best dishes of Palestine and Arabic cuisine. This is made up of meat and can be cooked as the vegetarian version of the dish. Palestinian cuisine is a food that is not even eaten by the people of Palestine but also Jordan, Israel, Refugee camps, nearby areas, etc. The cuisines that have a great impact on Palestinian cuisine are Turkish cuisine, Arabs, and Persians. The word Kubba is derived from the Arabic language, KUBBAH is also known as KIBBEH in Levantine Arabic language. The cuisine of Palestine has a great impact on other international cuisines.

United Arab Emirates – Baklava

Baklava is a pastry dish that is layered with the nuts filled in each layer or the center of each piece. This is more like a Filo pastry. Filo is a pastry of many thin layers. This dish is originated from Ottoman Empire. The word Baklava came from the Mongolian Language, also known as BAGLABA in the Persian language. Meaning of the word Baklava is ”TO TIE UP”, ”WRAP UP”.

The United Arab Emirates – Lamb Quzi

Quzi is an Arabic dish made up of rice and lamb but in a unique way. The name of this dish came from the Turkish Language. The word Quzi in Arabic and KUZU in Turkish. Both words have the same meaning in English; Lamb. This dish has many regional variations according to the world’s different cultures.

United Arab Emirates – Manakish

Manakish is a kind of flatbread that contains many nutritional facts. It is also known as Manoush and Manakish in other countries. This dish is originated from Levant and other neighboring countries of Levant. It is also found in centers of Levantine emigration.

Iran, Levant – Sogran Dolma (Beef Stuffed Onions)

In this dish, we basically have a stew in which beef stuffed onions are cooked and served with sour cream or yogurt. The concept of this dish is stuffing and wrapping. Sassanid period has the history of Iranian Culinary and cuisines. Dolma is the stuffed vegetable dish. There were many traditional dishes of vegetable stuffing in many Middle Eastern cuisines.

Israel, Iran, Levant – Sabich Sandwiches

This dish is like a sandwich in which different vegetables, stuffed meat, sauces are served in the pita bread or some other form of bread. In this specific bread fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, salads, different sauces are sandwiched between pita bread or laffa bread. Their ingredients are basically from the Jews breakfast and it is also a dish of breakfast, but it is commonly found there as the street food sandwich and also in the snacks. The use of Tahini sauce and Amba pickle is also very common but it is the variety infused with UAE culture. Tahini sauce is basically a sauce from Arab and Emirati cuisine so it is a dish with different culture infusion. More specifically, Israeli cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine, and Arab cuisine have the same roots of origin. Israel’s culinary culture is the history of 3000 years. The history of Israeli cuisine is divided into different eras of development. At the time of 1940 to 1950, there were Iraqi Jews refugee created these dishes.