ExploFood · Asia
What to eat in Lebanon
Five dishes to try in Lebanon, the most typical first. Three are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Lebanon
Kibbeh كبة
Minced lamb and bulgur, fried as stuffed torpedoes, baked in trays or eaten raw.
How to have it: Kibbeh nayyeh (raw) is a Sunday treat in the mountains; ask for it with olive oil, mint and onion.
Tabbouleh تبولة
Finely chopped parsley salad with tomato, mint, bulgur, lemon and olive oil.
How to have it: Part of every mezze spread; scoop it up with lettuce leaves as the Lebanese do.
Manakish مناقيش
Flatbread baked with za'atar and olive oil or melted cheese.
How to have it: The classic breakfast from neighbourhood bakeries (furn); fold it with tomato, mint and olives.
Shawarma شاورما
Spit-roasted sliced chicken or beef wrapped in thin bread with garlic sauce and pickles.
How to have it: Chicken shawarma comes with toum garlic sauce; late-night stands stay busy in Beirut.
Fattoush فتوش
Mixed salad of vegetables, herbs and toasted bread with sumac and pomegranate molasses.
How to have it: Ordered with mezze and grills; a fresh, sharp counterpoint to fried dishes.
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Questions
What food is Lebanon famous for?
Kibbeh (minced lamb and bulgur, fried as stuffed torpedoes, baked in trays or eaten raw) comes first on our list, followed by Tabbouleh, Manakish, Shawarma and Fattoush.
What is the national dish of Lebanon?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Lebanon is Kibbeh: minced lamb and bulgur, fried as stuffed torpedoes, baked in trays or eaten raw. Kibbeh nayyeh (raw) is a Sunday treat in the mountains; ask for it with olive oil, mint and onion.
Which dishes in Lebanon are vegetarian?
Three of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Tabbouleh, Manakish and Fattoush. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Lebanon?
Shawarma (spit-roasted sliced chicken or beef wrapped in thin bread with garlic sauce and pickles).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.