Iraqi cuisine or Mesopotamian cuisine originated from the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, ancient Persians, Mesopotamian Arabs and other ethnic groups in the region. Food finds found in ancient ruins in Iraq reveal recipes prepared in temples during religious festivals – the world’s first cookbooks. Ancient Iraq, or Mesopotamia, was home to a sophisticated and advanced civilization, in all fields of knowledge, including the culinary arts.
Today, Iraqi cuisine reflects this rich inheritance as well as strong influences from the culinary traditions of neighboring Iran, Türkiye and the Syrian region.
Everyday Iraqi food culture is largely determined through religion; religious ceremonies, such as Ramadan, also dictate many culinary traditions.
The meal starts with an appetizer and salad – called Mezza. Some dishes include Kebab (usually marinated with garlic, lemon and spices, then grilled), Gauss (grilled meat sandwich, similar to Döner kebab), Bamieh (lamb, okra and tomato stew) , Quzi (lamb with rice, almonds, raisins and spices), Falafel (fried chickpea patties served with amba and salad in pita), Kubbah / Kibbeh (ground minced meat with wheat or rice and spices), Masgûf (grilled fish with pepper and tamarind), and Maqluba (rice, lamb, tomatoes and aubergine). Stuffed vegetable dishes like Dolma and Mahshi are also popular.
Modern Iraqi cuisine reflects similar natural divisions to ancient Mesopotamia, including Assyrian dishes and food ingredients in the arid northern highlands and Babylonian in the southern alluvial plains. The Al-Jazira people (ancient Assyrians) grew wheat and crops that needed winter cold such as apples and stone fruits. Al-Irāq (an abbreviation for Iraq, Old Babylonian) grew rice and barley, citrus fruits, and made Iraq the world’s largest producer of dates.
Food ingredients typical of Iraqi cuisine are rich and diverse, including:
– Vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoes, radishes, beans, shallots, okra, onions, lentils, watercress, potatoes, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, lettuce, leeks, artichokes , garlic, chili and chilli.
– Grains such as rice, puffed wheat and barley.
Beans and legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, chickpeas, chickpeas, and cannellini.
– Fruits such as olives, dates, raisins, apricots, plums, figs, grapes, melons, pomegranates, apples, cherries, quince and citrus fruits; oranges, lemons and limes.
– Cheeses such as baladi, feta and halloumi.
– Herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, fenugreek, fennel, oregano, mint, tarragon, thyme, saffron, dried lemon, cassia, fennel, turmeric, baharat , advieh, sumac and za’atar.
– Nuts such as sesame, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts. Other important Iraqi culinary ingredients include olive oil, sesame oil, tamarind, vermicelli, tahini, honey, date syrup, yogurt and rose water.
– Lamb is the favorite meat, but chicken, beef and goat meat and fish are also eaten. Most dishes are served with rice – usually timman anbar, a yellow, highly fragrant long-grain rice grown in the provinces of Anbar and Qadisiyyah.
– Bulghur wheat groats are used in many dishes, having been the country’s staple food since the time of the ancient Assyrians. Flatbread is a staple item served with a variety of dips, cheeses, olives and jams at every meal.
List of popular and popular dishes in Iraq.
Masgouf
Masgouf is the most famous traditional Iraqi dish. This is grilled carp.
Quzi
Quzi is a succulent grilled and grilled lamb dish that is always one of the most popular dishes at any festive or family event in Iraq. Taking almost a day to slow roast, the lamb is stuffed with fragrant rice and spices, vegetables and nuts
Tepsi Baytinja
This Tepsi Baytinjan dish is one of the most popular, with each family having their own way of making it. A type of meat stew, tepsi baytinjan consists of fried eggplants wrapped around small spiced meatballs, all grilled in a delicious tomato sauce.
Margaret Albamia
This classic Margat Albamiya dish is one of the most popular staple dishes in any Iraqi household. A mixture of perfectly roasted okra and tender lamb or beef in a spiced tomato stew, the textures and flavors of this dish can only be described as absolutely perfect.
. Margat Qeema
A famous Iraqi dish served a lot during religious holidays or when a mosque serves food, this is a dish made from minced meat, lentils, lemon peel and various spices. Other flavors are eaten with warm rice. With its vibrant orange-brown color and perfect texture, margat qeema can be addictive!
Tashreeb
Originally a “peasant’s dish”, this is now loved by everyone in Iraq. The hearty dish includes a thick layer of Iraqi bread at the bottom of the plate and a chicken-based broth poured on top to soak the bread. Meat and vegetables are mixed with broth.
Bagilla Bil Dihin
This is also bread soaked in broth, but this dish is considered breakfast. With layers of broth-soaked bread, it is topped with fried eggs, onions and boiled beans. Just remember that the correct way to eat this Iraqi style is to dig in with your hands!
Makhlama
Another Iraqi breakfast dish but less heavy than tashreeb is makhlama, which is essentially a large pan of fried eggs, tomatoes, onions and spices. The key is to have all the flavors mixed together in one pan, which you then eat by scooping it up with fresh, bite-sized pieces of Iraqi bread.
Kubba Car Burghur
While many other Middle Eastern countries have variations of kibbeh – a mixture of cracked wheat, minced meat, onions and spices – the Iraqi version is a favorite throughout the region. Also known as kubbah mosul because of its popularity from the Mosul city of Mosul, this dish is a layered bag of kubbah with different things inside – from nuts to cheese to rice with minced meat, there’s no shortage of it. Creativity when it comes to Iraqi kubbah!
Dolma
Although variations of dolma can be found throughout the Middle East, this Iraqi version is truly one of the best. Instead of the usual stuffed grape leaves used in more popular versions, Iraqis use boiled meat patties stuffed with pieces of minced meat, rice, nuts and spices covered with lemon peel – you There will be hard times put down!