As the sun sets and the call to prayer echoes, tables across the world are filled with an irresistible spread of iftar delicacies, each dish telling a story of tradition, culture, and centuries-old flavors. From the crispy samosas of South Asia to Morocco’s hearty harira soup and Turkey’s flaky börek, iftar is more than just a meal—it’s a global celebration of togetherness, taste, and time-honored recipes. Whether it’s sweet, savory, or downright indulgent, every culture brings its own special touch to breaking the fast!
Middle East
- Dates & Laban (Yogurt Drink) – The traditional way to break the fast.
- Samosas – Crispy pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
- Fattoush & Tabbouleh – Refreshing salads with herbs and pomegranate.
- Lentil Soup – A staple to start the meal.
- Kibbeh – Deep-fried meat and bulgur dumplings.
- Kunafa – A sweet, cheesy dessert soaked in sugar syrup.
South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)
- Fruit Chaat – A spiced fruit salad.
- Pakoras & Samosas – Deep-fried snacks made from gram flour.
- Chana Chaat – A tangy chickpea salad.
- Dahi Vada – Lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt.
- Sheer Khurma – A vermicelli and milk dessert with nuts and dates.
China
- Yangrou Paomo – Soup with bread and lamb
- Rou Ciamo – Chinese burger
Turkey
- Pide – Turkish flatbread, often topped with cheese and meat.
- Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası) – A warm, comforting start to the meal.
- Güllaç – A delicate dessert made with thin pastry, milk, and rosewater.
- Börek – A savory pastry filled with cheese or meat.
North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
- Harira (Morocco) – A hearty soup with lentils, chickpeas, and tomatoes.
- Ful Medames (Egypt) – Mashed fava beans with olive oil and spices.
- Brik (Tunisia) – A crispy pastry filled with egg and tuna.
- Chebakia (Morocco) – Sesame-coated deep-fried dough, soaked in honey.
Indonesia & Malaysia
- Kolak – A coconut milk dessert with banana and sweet potatoes.
- Martabak – Stuffed savory or sweet pancakes.
- Bubur Lambuk – Spiced rice porridge.
- Gorengan – Assorted fried snacks.
Iran
- Ash Reshteh – A thick noodle soup with beans and herbs.
- Zoolbia & Bamieh – Sweet, syrup-soaked fried dough.
- Shole Zard – A fragrant saffron rice pudding.
West Africa (Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana)
- Akara – Black-eyed pea fritters.
- Jollof Rice – Spiced tomato-based rice dish.
- Thiakry (Senegal) – A sweet, yogurt-based millet dessert.
Each culture brings its own flavors to Iftar, blending tradition and taste for a meal that is both nourishing and festive! Which region’s iftar would you love to try?
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)