Middle Eastern cuisine offers a whole world of wholesome, healthy, and utterly delicious dishes for almost every type of eater. Whether you’re a meat lover, a vegetarian, or someone who follows a kind of diet to keep the pounds off, there are Middle Eastern dishes that will surely captivate your taste buds.
Even in the Western world, the Middle Eastern influence is undeniable. From high-end restaurants to casual diners and snack shacks, you’ll probably notice one or two Middle Eastern in Las Vegas favorites on the menu. There are even dining establishments that specialize in offering these dishes. No surprise there too—the Middle Eastern cuisine perfectly combines “yummy” and “healthy.”
Here are six Middle Eastern favorites that have taken the world by storm. They’re actually so popular that you’ve maybe tried them at least once and if you haven’t, you might want to add them to your must-eat list!
6 Middle Eastern Dishes You Have to Try
1. Hummus
Head to the nearest grocery store and chances are you’ll find hummus for sale. This chickpea dish makes a great appetizer and goes well with pretty much anything. Plus, it’s made of mashed chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, garlic, and some lemon juice. With such a list of healthy ingredients, no wonder hummus has a big following among health buffs, fitness coaches, and people who are keen on achieving and keeping a slim figure.
2. Pita Bread
No Middle Eastern meal is ever complete without some delicious pita bread. Be it with chicken, beef, or pork, pita bread is so versatile that it can go with any dish. You can serve this flatbread with some kabobs or falafel, dip it with hummus, or even enjoy it on its own as a snack!
3. Falafel
Vegetarians who’d like to try Middle Eastern cuisine can start with falafel. These tasty fried balls made of flavorful chickpeas and onions come with a bunch of perfectly mixed spices. Many enjoy their falafels wrapped in pita bread and with some veggies and although they make for a really good meal option, falafels are also perfect as appetizers.
4. Tabouli
Tabouli is a popular Middle Eastern take on the traditional salad. This mishmash of finely chopped vegetables is often added to meals as a side salad. Some variations include lettuce or use semolina instead of bulgur, but tabouli is generally composed of tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint, lemon juice, and green onion.
5. Kabobs
Meat lovers, rejoice! Kabobs are the Middle East’s take on barbecue and grilled meat. Different countries have their version of this dish, but the Middle Eastern varieties are still undoubtedly the best to try. These juicy, tasty kabobs are slow-cooked and flavored with a unique blend of spices found in most traditional Middle Eastern dishes since ancient times. The best thing about kabobs is that they can be any meat you love—there’s beef, chicken, and even lamb kabob!
6. Baklava
A great meal ends with a delectable dessert, and that’s also true for Middle Eastern lunch and dinner affairs. For the sweet side of things, you can’t go wrong with baklava. This layered dessert is made of filo dough sheets, sweetened with syrup or honey, and generously topped with chopped nuts.
If this article got you craving some Middle Eastern dishes, visit Hummus Bowls for lunch or dinner, and let’s satisfy that craving. Located in Summerlin, Spring Valley, and Henderson, our Humm bowls and wraps are sure to give you a good taste of Middle Eastern cuisine that will likely leave you asking for more.
