7 Traditional Dishes to Look For in Tunis - Tunisian food culture

Every Tunisian food guide begins with couscous (They call it kosksi too). It's a national dish in Tunisia, and if you opt to enjoy a traditional meal at The Residence Tunis, you will surely come across this dish. It's generally served with meat and vegetable stew. 

If you are traveling to Tunisia during the Ramadan month, this is a sweet dish that you will come across. Some Tunis restaurants also have fancy masfouf decorated with dates, nuts, and even some other colourful fruits. 

If you have been to Turkey, you must know the dish called 'borek'. Well, in Tunisia Borek becomes Brik, and it's as simple as that. Tunisians use either tune, boiled potatoes, or shrimp to make the filling, and that makes Brik extra savory. 

They also call this dish 'shakshouka'. This dish generally has poached eggs and is served with tomato sauce, cumin, onions, and garlic. The very traditional dish contains crushed garlic cloves and caraway powder giving it a special taste. 

If you visit Tunisia during the winter season, you will most probably come across this dish as it helps to stay warm for kids and adults alike. It's a soup made with dried chickpeas and usually is served in a garlic-flavored broth (cumin is also added). It's a great dish to be enjoyed for lunch and dinner. 

It's a very popular salad among the locals mainly because of its simplicity. You find several grilled vegetables (seasoned with caraway seeds) in this salad, and it's more of a side dish than a starter in Tunisia. 

Omek Houria is very similar to Mechouia Salad. The main ingredient here is carrots, and then the other ingredients include garlic, harissa, olive oil, and salt. It's a popular side dish even at the world-class restaurants in Tunisia. 

Here is another salad that the Tunisians prefer. (well, yes! They love salads) This salad has harissa, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and red bell peppers as its main ingredients and this can be served as a starter or a side dish. 

Are you a fan of potatoes? Then Kabkabou is definitely for you. Locals generally cook fish in a tomato sauce, and although it's very simple, the taste it gives is great. Restaurants normally ass capers and olives before serving kabkabou to the guests. 

Like all other nations, Tunisia also has its own way of making stew. Marqa Jelbana is a stew that has potatoes, peas, and meat (can either be chicken, beef, or lamb) as the main ingredients. Choose to enjoy this dish with a slice of fresh bread- you will surely want more!