When we say we have eaten a lot of Persian food, this is absolutely an understatement. We love Persian food and often when not on tour we will make it at home. However, some of the dishes just don’t hit as well as when they are made by a Persian grandmother in Isfahan or from the amazing hipster cafes of Tehran. Here is our list of 10 foods you definitely have to try when visiting Iran on a Saiga Iran group tour.
1. Fesenjan
This is probably one of the best chicken stew dishes in the world. If you disagree, then you clearly haven’t had it. Fesenjan or fesenjoon is a chicken stew made with walnuts and pomegranate molasses, lots of onions and butter. If it’s cold outside fesenjan will hit right where you need it too. It’s creamy, slightly sour and will feel like you are being hugged from the inside. Go find it and eat it now.
2. Ghorme sabzi
This is a staple all Iranians love! Ghorme sabzi is also known as Persian herb stew and is made with onions, beans and sometimes meat as well. It has some amazing aromas from dried mint and fenugreek and can probably be considered the national dish of Iran. This is a must try for anyone visiting the country as is one of the most widely sold foods you can get in restaurants in Iran.
3. Joojeh kebab
It wouldn’t be a middle eastern food blog without mentioning some type of kebab of course. Iran has many different types of kebabs, however joojeh kebab is easily the most common. Minced lamb is mixed with different spices and grilled to perfect and is often served with a grilled tomato as well as some white rice that is mixed with butter. If you’re on a diet we recommend leaving it behind while you travel to Iran.
4. Tahdig
This dish will make you rethink rice. Tahdig is a dish beloved by all Persians and foreigners who have tried it. Basically, a tahdig is similar to a big cake made from cooked rice, however the bottom of the rice is slightly burnt and goes crispy. These crispy pieces at the bottom are like gold and are amazing to crunch on with other meals, especially when mixed with the flavours of butter and barberry. Here’s a little cheat note if you want to make it at home, you can use a tortilla on the based to get the extra good crisp. Making the perfect tahdig is a little tricky and takes lots of practice so we recommend the tortilla trick.
5. Zereshk Polo
Zereshk polo refers to a beautiful dish of rice cooked with barberries and chicken that is stewed in saffron. Both are served together for a simple but amazingly delicious chicken and rice combo. It would be hard to go to Iran and not try this one as it’s found pretty much everywhere and is often a quick lunch meal that mean restaurants will serve.
6. Kash bademjoon
Iran loves eggplant and kashk bademjoon is one of the best ways they prepare it. This is basically similar to a mushy eggplant dip a little similar to a
baba ganouj. Roasted eggplant is mixed with sour kashk which is similar to a yoghurt and then topped with dried meat. We highly recommend dipping with bread. This is also a great and fairly easy dish to make at home if you’re looking to impress people with something different. If you’re vegetarian in Iran, this dish will be one of your best friends.
7. Murgh-e-zafrani
Saffron is everywhere in Iran, so it’s only natural that murgh-e-zafrani or saffron chicken makes it on this list. Chicken is stewed and cooked with spices such as turmeric, and saffron which comes out with a glowing yellow orange colour. The scent of this one is absolutely amazing.
8. Dizi
This is one of Iran’s more hearty meals which is often served in a very interesting way. Chunks of meat a vegetables are slowly cooked inside teapots for a long time. The meat juices and fat all come together to make a rich and hearty meat-filled stew. When you eat it, you will break up bits of dry lavash bread to give it a crunch. This one is a great winter warmer, and you may need a nap afterwards.
9. Bastani
It would be wrong to not talk about desert at all, so here we have Bastani. Bastani is Iran’s version of ice cream often made using egg yolks, rose water and pistachios which makes it thick and rich. You can find this all over Iran and it is often served with a type of wafer. It is normally very cheap and just a heads up it is also highly addictive.
10. Gaz
If you’re going to Iran and you head through Isfahan, then you also need to try gaz. Basically gaz is Iranian nougat with honey, rose water and pistachios (I think you may see a theme with deserts and rose water here). You can by boxes of this all over the city and they are sweet and addictive!
How can you get to try all of these amazing foods?
Obviously the best way to get to know all of these foods is to come with the people who know the best spots around the country. To join us on one of our Iranian group tours, send us an email to
[email protected]
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To find out our departure dates for our Iran group tours, see here on our website.
For more practical travel information on Iran, check out our in-depth destination guides also on our website.
