After Sunset: Popular Ramadan Foods Across the Arab World

Find out how nearly a quarter of the world observes the month of Ramadan and what you can expect to eat if invited to join an iftar meal.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan begins with the rising of the crescent moon, and is a time for spiritual discipline, charity, generosity, and prayer. During the day, you’ll find Muslims around the world fasting from dawn until dusk, abstaining from eating and drinking any liquids (including water!), and refraining from habits like smoking, gossiping, and arguing.

However, the nights are the real days during Ramadan. And across the Arab world, the festivities start after the iftar(breaking the fast) at dusk, as neighborhoods come to life after a quiet, slow day of food hibernation. An essential part of Ramadan, these meals are at the center of gatherings around the world, giving people another reason to reconnect with friends and family.

If you are lucky enough to be invited to join an iftar gathering, here are some of the most popular dishes from different Arab countries that you can expect to see on the table.

This parsley and bulgur salad is fresh, light, and packed with fibers and nutrients, making it the perfect side dish to any Ramadan meal.

Generally forgotten during the rest of the year, this sweet, thick apricot juice is a very popular drink during the month of Ramadan. It’s refreshing, delicious, and helps elevate energy levels.

Although this Moroccan cuisine staple is eaten throughout the year, it is best-loved during Ramadan. Its complex and fragrant taste comes from the delicious blend of tomato, lamb, lentils, chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and saffron.

Egyptians swear by the comfort of this traditional dish, especially during Ramadan. Mahshi [link] is made by stuffing vegetables like zucchini, peppers, tomato, eggplant, cabbage, or grape leaves with a rice and meat mixture.

Kunafa is the main Ramadan dessert for many Arab families, especially Palestinians. This sweet pastry is made with cheese, and topped with crispy, browned filo pastry and nuts — all soaked in a sugar-based syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom water.

These traditional dishes are the highlight of Ramadan and enjoying them with friends and family create memories that last a lifetime. If you don’t get an invitation to an iftar meal this Ramadan, try hosting your own dinner gathering by making one (or all!) of these traditional dishes for your Muslim friends — and don’t forget to brush up on your Arabic for an extra twist of culture during the dinner conversation.

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