Are you curious in what people throughout the world eat for Iftar? Ramadan is a month when the entire globe joins in the Islamic tradition of fasting. When it comes to Iftar table must-haves, though, each race has its own distinct cuisine.
In honour of Qatar’s various populations, the ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has compiled a list of a few of the countries’ favourite Iftar dishes, as well as where to locate them in Qatar.
Morocco
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Like many other Iftar menus around the world, the typical Moroccan Iftar does give a lot of importance to soups and snacks alike.
A unique pastry of its sort is the “Chicken Pastilla”, a skillet-fried pastry of chicken stuffed in thin crip layers of phyllo pastry. Although essentially savoury with a spiced filling, you cannot miss the sweet taste contributed by the sugar that typically gets sprinkled or infused within.
However, the Morrocan Iftar is incomplete without their very own Harira soup. A soup that can be classified as a meal on its own. The soup boils together tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and of course tender lamb. It gets its flavour from the dry spices and herbs. Adding to the weight of the soup is the vermicelli that gives it the starch element.
Where to find Harira Soup:
- Restaurant: Mssamen Atai
- Tel: +974 3008 5311/ +974 4490 7060
- Location: Qanat Quartier, The Pearl-Qatar
- Instagram: @mssamen_atai
Sudan
The Iftar classics in a Sudanese household fuse together many elements. Some must-haves include “Taameya”, also known as “Falafel”. While other variants of the dish could be fava-bean based; the Sudanese version is typically mashed chick-peas, with mild-seasoning inclusive of garlic, onion, chili powder, black pepper and salt, which is then deep-fried into crispy golden patties.
Another best-loved Sudanese Iftar staple is “Asida”. This is a corn flour dumpling accompanied with a dried meat and yoghurt stew. A tip to best enjoy Asida – hand scoop the porridge-like dumpling and take a hearty dip in the stew to enjoy the true taste.
Where to find Asida:
- Restaurant: Fish House
- Tel: +974 3100 0875
- Location: The Pearl-Qatar
- Instagram: @fishhouse.qa
Turkey
Turkish food is loved for its succulent grills, and comforting bread varieties with varying toppings.
Turkish Iftars typically consist of all sorts of böreks (pan-fried phyllo pastry that holds together either feta-cheese fillings, vegetable fillings or meat fillings) which also preserve its freshness with infused herbs.
Another Turkish table favourite for Iftar would be Garniyarik (an eggplant cooked to tenderness filled with minced meat and tomatoes).
Where to find Garniyarik:
- Restaurant: Emirgan Sutis
- Tel: +974 4441 3626 (The Pearl-Qatar) / +974 4037 5287 (Al-Hilal)
- Location: The Pearl, Al Hilal
- Instagram: @sutisqa
Pakistan
The Pakistani Iftar is always one to be mouth-watering and tempting with all the warm and cool elements that are typically on the table. The widely-made items include fruit chaat (spiced fruit salad), Pakoray (deep-fried fritters), Chana Chaat (a salad resembling a snack that combines chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, coriander, drizzled with spiced sauces and sprinkled with herbs). To quench the thirst is a rose-syrup based milk drink named Rooh Afza which can be considered mandatory.
However, a main course is essential, and the one must-have would be the Nihari. Best described as a slow-cooked Pakistani Beef Stew, cooked in a silky decadent gravy for long hours ensuring a stringy tender bite of meat. Nihari is best eaten with naan or other flatbreads.
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Where to find Nihari:
- Restaurant: Sarhad Restaurant
- Tel: +974 4492 9781
- Location: Al Ghanim
- Facebook: @sarhadrestaurants
Qatar
Authentic Qatari Iftars tend to be made up of full-course meals; starting with dates, bite-sized appetizers, hearty main-courses with desserts and beverages to accompany along. However, when it comes to the main course there are distinct dishes that are essential; such as Harees (a wheat-based, thick porridge-like meal made with chicken or meat, drizzled with ghee), another classic Ramadan favourite would be Madhrouba (overcooked rice-based, spice-infused porridge, typically made with chicken).
These dishes can be found in many outlets serving Qatari cuisine for a price as low as QR 15.
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Where to find Harees & Madhrouba:
- Restaurant: Bayt Al Majbous
- Tel: +974 4442 2630 / +974 7761 5295
- Location: Al Khartiyat
- Instagram: @baitalmajbousqa
Did you know countries did Iftars so differently? Which of these would you want to try? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article – it keeps us going!