Food Crawl Guide: 5 Local Finds for Delectable Middle Eastern Eats

Distance won’t certainly be a concern as indulging in the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine is just right at your fingertips.

At its very core, the Middle East has been known to be a pioneer of diverse religions and practices such as Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is also the home of significant empires like the Babylonians and Assyrians.

Even before the fast-evolving landscape of technology and society became popular, Middle Eastern countries have already opened doors for such developments like the Iranian qanat where underground canals were built to transport water to arid lands.

Needless to say, the culture and history that surround the Middle Eastern countries have been nothing but colorful and eventful. Traditions and beliefs are not the only factors that make this region easy to genuinely love. Putting a spotlight on its irresistible food, each dish offers a distinct and delectable flavor profile, one that you’ll surely recommend to your loved ones.

To start your exciting food crawl without traveling thousands of miles, we’ve gathered a list of 5 Middle Eastern dishes you can sample. Just a quick heads up: you’ll definitely be craving for more of these eats once you take your first bite. Happy eating, folks!

Savor the unique blend of spices found in a Lamb Special Chelo Kabab

Among one of its origin stories, it is believed that Turkish soldiers used to fill their tummies with meaty slices of hunted animals which are skewered smoothly on swords and cooked over open-fire. Kebap in Turkish or kebab in English directly means “to roast” which explains why it’s typically roasted or grilled both in the past and in the current time.

Aside from the cooking method, the marinade of the cubed chunks of meat is extremely important as this is where the irresistible flavor is produced. Different marinades have been explored through the years, but some OGs include a concoction of spices, lemon juice, and yogurt.

Thanks to such ingredients, kebabs have received great popularity and adoration all over the globe.

Drooling over a few sticks of kabab? Pay some heed to your cravings, and make your way to a Mister Kabab branch today. Get your hands on the Lamb Special Chelo Kabab which is soaked into a special blend of spices and sauces that make up a taste worth every peso.

What’s even more interesting is that this dish melts in your mouth, exuding tenderness and juiciness like no other. It comes with grilled tomatoes and a cup of piping hot rice topped with a pat of margarine, making it a flavorful and filling meal.

Discover the unique flavor of Hummus Elijah with Pine Nuts with friends

As in the case of most traditional foods, hummus also comes from a rich yet unsettled history wherein there are numerous stories regarding its creation. Most historians believe that Egyptians are to be credited for the creation of hummus, with the earliest recognition of this dish goes all the way back to the 13th century in Egypt.

Translated in Arabic, the word hummus essentially means the star of the dish — chickpea. Pureed chickpeas are finished off with tahini, lemon juice, and various spices to serve a crowd-favorite dip and spread.

Hummus Elijah in SM Aura Premier is known to offer the best hummus in town, and we’re here to confirm this claim. If you and your foodie friends are not allergic to nuts, we suggest you go for the Hummus Elijah with Pine Nuts as this twist adds a crunchy texture to a smooth hummus.

Flavor-wise, expect an authentic nutty taste with a good amount of zesty kick to balance its creaminess. This is served with two slices of pita bread, so be prepared to order more as this hummus is certainly addicting.

Feast on the aromatic spices brought to you by Chicken Biryani

Even Middle Easterns share the same sentiment as Asians when it comes to rice as an ideal pair for any dish, and their traditional version is their own fried rice filled with herbs and spices.

For some etymology, the term biryani was actually derived from the Persian word birian which is translated as “fried before cooking” and from birinj which is Persian for rice.

While originating from Persia, now known as Iran, biryani rice caught the attention of many when it was popularized by the Mughals or those who led India for many centuries.

Wondering where you can get an authentic order of biryani rice in the metro? Good thing, Martabak Cafe Indo/Malay Restaurant is just in SM Mall of Asia. This Halal restaurant offers a heavenly serving of Chicken Biryani.

This savory mixed rice dish provides a balanced amount of heat and an appetizing aroma alongside its rich flavor that makes you want to go for a second round. With real chicken, this can be devoured as an entire meal in itself.

Delight in the burst of flavor found in a Classic Falafel Yo!

If chickpeas can be pureed and made into a dip, no doubt that chickpeas can also be turned into ball shapes and deep fried — in short, into a falafel. Whether or not it also consists of beans, falafels are said to have Egyptian roots as its ancient locals used to prepare a mixture of beans and vegetables, similar to the falafel paste or concoction of today.

When sliced in half, falafels are usually green from the inside while maintaining a brown color from the outside. The green color is the result of all the vegetables that it contains such as green coriander, cilantro, and spinach. Falafels are commonly served as a sandwich, enclosed in a pita or lafa wrap.

On the lookout for a delicious falafel sandwich? Look no further as Falafel Yo! is here to save the day, and we recommend that you get yourself a Classic Falafel Yo! from this spot. Adding to the burst of flavor that you get to bite into is a wide range of ingredients such as hummus, fries, onion, and chili. No doubt that this has been a go-to place for anything falafel!

Treat yourself to a Beef Pita Wrap

First produced during the Ottoman Empire which is referred to in the modern day as Turkey, shawarma distinctly cooks its slab of meat through a vertical rotisserie. After thinly cutting the meat, oftentimes lamb or beef, from the rotisserie, it is stacked on a cone-shaped wrap with various other toppings for added taste and texture.

This staple Middle Eastern food may also come with hummus, tahini, or yogurt sauce to ensure that it stays juicy even while munching on it.

When talking about good shawarma, Turks never fails to come to mind. Their Beef Pita Wrap is an all-time favorite with its main being 100% beef that is seasoned to perfection and its wrap filled with tomatoes, cucumber, fries, and many more to come up with a delectable treat.

Passing by a Turks stall will surely lure you in as the inviting smell of the roasting beef will make you crave for shawarma.

Don’t forget to check out the available vouchers and promo codes on SM Deals to satiate your appetite for Middle Eastern cuisine. Take advantage of the huge deals available to snap up good food for a more affordable price.

Download the SM Malls Online app as well for all your other must-haves such as clothes, gadgets, and household items.