Everyone knows Lebanon for its delicious mezze, hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, etc. But there are some special Lebanese dishes that will only give locals a hit of instant nostalgia and our expats a pang of longing for home.
These are dishes that have been made throughout the generations. And they’re definitely meals that any Lebanese person has enjoyed at their grandmother’s house.
#1 Koussa Bel-Laban
Koussa bel Laban is a warm homey meal made of zucchini stuffed with a mix of rice and meat and cooked in plain yogurt with a hint of garlic.
#2 Mloukhiyeh
A traditional dish using chopped mallow leaves cooked with chicken and sometimes meat, and sided with vermicelli rice; the Lebanese way.
#3 Wara2 3enab
The elite Lebanese dish of every grandma’s kitchen has to be the Wara2 Enab. The stuffed grape leave rolls take a certain skill and a lot of time to make and are simply a culinary delight, whether in its rich version or its simpler one.
They’re made at almost every holiday/special occasion, sometimes even when welcoming people who come from abroad. There’s a vegan version too.
#4 Fasouliya bel Lahme
A cozy bean stew that’s best enjoyed on those cold winter days.
#5 Sbenegh w riz
Probably every parent or grandparent brought up Popeye the Sailor Man when trying to get kids to eat this traditional spinach and rice dish!
#6 Yakhnet Bazela
A pea stew that just exudes all those authentic home kitchen vibes.
#7 Shish Barak
The ultimate Lebanese comfort food! Meat dumplings cooked in plain yogurt and served warm, and sometimes sided by mujadara (lentil rice pilaf) or vermicelli rice.
#8 Malfouf
Stuffed cabbage rolls in a tangy sauce with pomegranate molasses.
#9 Loubieh
Different Lebanese grandmas have their own special way of making this green bean stew. There is also a vegan version.
#10 Vegan Kibbeh
A baked vegan Kibbeh made of burghul and pumpkin or potatoes and stuffed with chickpeas, spinach, and caramelized onions; a prideful dish of our tetas!
#11 Bemieh Bel Lahme
The Okra stew is probably the ultimate grandma’s dish that could drag a Lebanese to ride the miles to visit. Usually cooked with meat, there is also a vegan version of this recipe.
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