Holiday Ayo - Iraq doesn’t have a native cooking style, but the country has many native dishes. Authentic Iraqi food usually includes rice and meat, especially lamb meat, beef, or poultry. As most Iraqi citizens are Muslims, they prefer not to eat pork due to religious reasons. 

Traditionally, a barbecue mezze is served before the main course, accompanying eggs, herbs, and fermented milk dishes. These are some of the traditional foods in Iraq to try that are bound to tantalize your taste buds.

1. Masgouf

source: Hilda's Kitchen Blog

Masgouf is a popular option for people who love seafood. It is considered one of the national foods in Iraq. Due to its popularity, this grilled fish is often the first serving for foreign delegations by Iraqi statesmen. 

The best part about this Iraqi food is that the fish is caught fresh from the Tigris River. It is seasoned with local spices and olive oil, then grilled until the meat becomes soft and succulent. Conversely, the outer layer of the fish meat turns crispy with a nice aroma.

This traditional Iraqi food is served with lime and mango chutney. It is also usually accompanied by naan, grilled vegetables, tomatoes, and onion sauce. The capital city of Iraq, Baghdad, is known as the best place to try masgouf.

2. Falafel

source: Delicious

Falafels are a typical Iraqi food eaten all over the Middle East. Originating from the Arabs, these deep-fried ball-shaped fritters have grown to become one of the national foods in Iraq.

These popular mid-day snacks are prepared from ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both. They also contain cumin, coriander, parsley, and mint. With a slightly crunchy texture and a rich grainy and herby flavor, it is obvious why they are so popular.

These small balls are usually served wrapped in local flatbreads called samoon, pita, or taboon. The bread is baked in an eye shape and cut in half as soon as it comes out of the oven. It is stuffed with falafel, salads, pickled vegetables, and tahini or amba sauce.

You can easily satisfy midday hunger with these delicious wraps. Falafel can also be enjoyed with hummus, tahini sauce, and pickled vegetables.