🇮🇷 The food of Iran
71 dishes from Iran, best known first, across 14 cities and regions.
Iranian cooking is shaped by a mix of rice, bread, herbs, fruits, and spices, often blending sweet and sour flavors. Dishes typically combine rice with meats, vegetables, and nuts, and use ingredients like saffron, dried lime, and pomegranate. The cuisine stands out for its use of fresh herbs, complex stews, and a tradition of pairing fruit with savory foods.
- Saffron and dried lime are signature Iranian spices.
- Fruits like pomegranate and quince are cooked with meat and rice.
- Faloodeh, a frozen dessert, dates back to ancient Persia.
- Tea is the first thing offered to guests in Iran.
- Rice-based dishes use several distinct cooking methods.
The cooking of Iran
Iranian food brings together influences from many regions, reflecting centuries of trade and empire. Meals often feature rice or bread as a base, with meats, vegetables, and nuts layered in. Fresh and dried herbs—such as parsley, mint, and coriander—are used generously, giving dishes a bright, aromatic quality. Fruits like pomegranate, quince, and apricot are cooked with meats or added to rice, creating a balance of sweet and sour. Spices such as saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and dried lime are common, lending depth and color. Stews (khoresh), kebabs, and thick soups (āsh) are central, and rice is prepared in several distinct ways. The cuisine values both flavor and presentation, with traditions shaped by royal courts and everyday households alike.
Staple foods in Iran
Rice is central, especially in the north and among wealthier families, while bread is widely eaten elsewhere. Wheat is the main grain for a range of flatbreads. Iran’s agriculture provides a wealth of fruits and vegetables, which are eaten fresh, dried, or cooked into dishes. Eggplant is a favorite, often called the 'potato of Iran.' Herbs, nuts, and legumes are also staples. Verjuice, a tart juice from unripe grapes, is used for sourness in many dishes.
Snacks and street food in Iran
Iran has a long tradition of snacks, with cookies tracing back to the 7th century. Today, many types of native and adopted snacks are enjoyed, including sweets and pastries. Fresh fruit and dried fruit are commonly served between meals. Street foods and quick bites are part of daily life, though the article does not detail specific examples.
Sweets and drinks in Iran
Desserts include faloodeh, a semi-frozen noodle sweet from Shiraz, and bastani e zaferani, a saffron ice cream. Rice, wheat, and dairy-based sweets are also typical. Tea is the most common drink, often served with sugar cubes or saffron-flavored rock candy. Coffee has a history in Iran, served strong and sweet, and coffeehouses were once centers for poetry and conversation. Wine, especially from Shiraz, was historically significant.
From region to region in Iran
Rice is more common in northern Iran, while bread dominates in other areas. Local varieties of rice are grown in different regions, such as Tarom and Lenjan. Southern Iran is known for its dates, especially the Bam variety. Some spices and herbs, like Persian hogweed, are specific to certain mountainous or humid regions. Regional diversity is reflected in the types of produce, breads, and methods of preparing rice.
The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Iranian cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
Kebabكَبَاب
🇹🇷 Turkey and 5 moreGrilled or roasted meat, often on skewers, found across the Middle East and beyond
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Pilaf
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan and 5 moreRice cooked in stock with spices, meat or vegetables, with each grain kept separate
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Khoresh bademjanخورش بادمجان
🇮🇷 IranPersian stew of eggplant, tomato, lamb, and tart fruit, served with rice
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Kabab Bargکباب برگ
🇮🇷 IranPersian skewered meat marinated and grilled over open fire
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Zereshk poloMeatزرشکپلو
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 morePersian rice with tart barberries, often served with saffron chicken
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Kabab koobidehMeatکباب کوبیده
🇮🇷 IranIranian skewered kebab of ground lamb or beef mixed with onion and spices
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Lentil soupVegan
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreA hearty soup made from lentils, often with vegetables and spices
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Kabsaكبسة
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and 4 moreRice and meat cooked with aromatic spices, a staple of the Arabian Peninsula
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Laksaلقسا / 叻沙
🇲🇾 Malaysia and 3 moreSpicy Southeast Asian noodle soup with coconut or sour broth
Soup, Breakfast, Lunch
Ghormeh sabziMeatقرمه سبزی
🇮🇷 IranPersian stew of herbs, beans, dried lime and lamb, served with saffron rice
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Pirozhkiпирожки
🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreYeast-leavened buns filled with sweet or savory fillings, baked or fried
Pie or savoury pastry, Lunch, Dinner
Fesenjānفسنجان
🇮🇷 Iran and 5 morePersian stew of pomegranate, walnuts and poultry, served with rice
Main dish, Dinner
HaleemMeat
🇮🇳 India and 7 moreA slow-cooked stew of wheat, lentils, meat and spices
Stew or curry, Breakfast, Lunch
KeşkekMeat
🇹🇷 Turkey and 3 moreA ceremonial wheat and meat stew shared across Turkey, Armenia, and the region
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Kabuli pulaoMeatقابلی پلو
🇦🇫 Afghanistan and 5 moreAfghan rice pilaf with caramelized carrots, raisins, and meat
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
PitiMeat
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan and 3 moreMutton and chickpea stew slow-cooked in a sealed crock
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
AbgooshtMeatآبگوشت
🇮🇷 Iran and 2 morePersian lamb and chickpea stew served in stoneware pots
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
KukuVegetarianکوکو
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 morePersian-style omelette with herbs, vegetables or other fillings
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Rogan joshMeat
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreKashmiri lamb or goat curry with a deep red sauce
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
SweetbreadMeat
🇫🇷 France and 4 moreTender thymus or pancreas from young animals, prized in French and Persian cooking
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Chelow kebabMeatچلوکباب
🇮🇷 IranSteamed rice served with skewered grilled meat and classic Iranian sides
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Khoreshخورش
🇮🇷 Iran and 4 moreSlow-cooked Persian stew, served hot with rice
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Yakhni
🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreA family of meat and vegetable stews from Iran, the Middle East and the Balkans
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Jujeh kababMeatجوجه کباب
🇮🇷 IranGrilled marinated chicken served with rice or bread in Iran
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Tahchinتهچین
🇮🇷 IranIranian rice baked with yogurt, saffron, egg and meat in a golden crust
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Bamia
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreStew of okra and meat, enjoyed across many regions
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Mirza ghassemiVegetarianمیرزا قاسمی
🇮🇷 IranEggplant, tomato, and egg mash from northern Iran, served with bread or rice
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Ash Reshtehآش رشته
🇮🇷 IranThick Iranian soup with noodles, beans, herbs and a tangy dairy topping
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Kashk bademjanVegetarianکشک بادمجان
🇮🇷 IranEggplant and kashk dip from Iran, often served with bread
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Tabriz meatballsMeatتبریز کوفتهسی
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 moreLarge stuffed meatballs from Tabriz, cooked with herbs and split peas
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Shirin poloVegetarian
🇮🇷 IranPersian rice pilaf with saffron, nuts, and dried fruits for festive occasions
Main dish, Dinner, Lunch
AkuriVegetarian
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreParsi-style scrambled eggs with spices and fried onions
Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks
GheimehMeatقیمه
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 morePersian stew of lamb, split peas, tomato and dried lime, topped with crispy potatoes
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Baghali poloباقلا پلو
🇮🇷 Iran and 2 moreRice cooked with fava beans and dill, often served with lamb
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Sabzi poloVegetarianسبزی پلو
🇮🇷 IranPersian rice cooked with fresh and dried herbs, often served with fish
Rice dish, Lunch, Dinner
Baghali ghatoghVegetarianباقالی قاتق
🇮🇷 IranNorthern Iranian stew of beans, dill, eggs and garlic
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
KoftaMeat
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreMinced meat shaped into balls or patties, cooked with spices in many regions
Main dish
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Keşkek: E4024, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kofta: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Abgoosht: RezAzizi at Persian Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Tabriz meatballs: Fabienkhan, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Baghali ghatogh: Rye-96, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kebab: Lesya Dolyk, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kabab koobideh: User:همان, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Pilaf: Mizu basyo at Japanese Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Laksa: Alpha, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kabsa: Miansari66, CC0, source
- Ghormeh sabzi: Amin Majidi, CC0, source
- Khoresh bademjan: مانفی, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Haleem: Miansari66, Public domain, source
- Piti: Tərxan Paşazadə, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kuku: Նապաստակ, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Rogan josh: gahdjun, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kabab Barg: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Khoresh: Roozitaa, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lentil soup: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY 4.0, source
- Yakhni: АннаМариа (original image); derived version by Off-shell, CC BY 4.0, source
- Pirozhki: Pannet, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fesenjān: stringparts, CC BY 2.0, source
- Mirza ghassemi: Anastasiya Lvova, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ash Reshteh: AilinParsa, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sweetbread: Leon Brocard, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kashk bademjan: Rka11111, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Shirin polo: Yallayallaletsgo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Jujeh kabab: Nevit Dilmen ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Akuri: Ewan Munro, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gheimeh: Diako1971, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Sabzi polo: tannaz, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bamia: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Baghali polo: مانفی, CC BY-SA 4.0, source