Food news
HeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonightWorldBon Appétit editor-in-chief explores food’s role in culture, media at MSUFarm and marketDetroit Harvest Fest adds movies, more food trucks in year 6HeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonightWorldBon Appétit editor-in-chief explores food’s role in culture, media at MSUFarm and marketDetroit Harvest Fest adds movies, more food trucks in year 6
Thali
Omani men eating Maraq, also known as Saloona

Maraq

In its own language: مرق

Somali and Arabian meat or vegetable soup served with rice or bread

Photo: Abu Isa, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Maraq is a soup or broth from Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula, made by simmering meat or vegetables with spices and aromatics. It is often enjoyed at lunch or dinner, served either over rice or with flatbread. Different versions use lamb, chicken, seafood, or lentils, and a squeeze of lime is sometimes added.

Share on WhatsApp

  • Maraq is a daily soup in Somali and Arabian homes
  • It can be made with lamb, chicken, seafood, or only vegetables
  • The broth is often poured over rice or served with flatbread
  • A squeeze of lime is a common finishing touch
  • Fahfah is a related goat soup from Djibouti and northern Somalia

What is Maraq?

Maraq is a soup or broth that forms part of daily meals in Somalia and nearby regions. It is made by simmering meat—such as lamb, chicken, or seafood—or sometimes just vegetables, along with spices, onions, garlic, and ginger. The broth is clear and aromatic, and the dish is often served with rice or flatbread. A wedge of lime may be provided to add a fresh, tangy note before eating.

Where does Maraq come from?

The dish is rooted in Somali and Arabian cooking, where the word 'maraq' means broth or soup in both Arabic and Somali. It is a staple in homes across Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula, and its presence has spread to places like Indonesia. The tradition of making maraq reflects the importance of hearty, spiced broths in the region’s food culture.

How is Maraq made?

To prepare maraq, cooks start by simmering meat or vegetables with water and a blend of spices. Aromatics such as onions, garlic, and ginger are sautéed and added to the pot. Once the main ingredient is tender, the broth is either ladled over rice or served separately. Sometimes, fresh lime is squeezed in at the table for extra flavor.

Lamb and Vegetable Stew | Maraq Fahfah, Maraq is a comforting Somali dish. It’s a stew filled with tender cubed meat, aromatic spices, fresh vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, and hints of coriander and g
Lamb and Vegetable Stew | Maraq Fahfah, Maraq is a comforting Somali dish. It’s a stew filled with tender cubed meat, ar. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Maraq eaten?

Maraq is typically eaten at lunch or dinner. It is common to pour the broth over a plate of rice or to serve it alongside, letting diners combine them as they like. Flatbreads such as muufo may be served on the side. The meal is often finished with a squeeze of lime, which brightens the flavors.

Kinds of Maraq

Several types of maraq exist. Versions with lamb or chicken are especially popular, but seafood and vegetarian options are also made. In Djibouti and northern Somalia, a related soup called fahfah uses goat meat, vegetables, and green chili. Lentil and vegetable stews are other common alternatives.

What Maraq means

Maraq is a familiar part of everyday meals in Somali households and across the Arabian Peninsula. Its flexible recipe allows for many variations, making it suitable for different tastes and dietary needs. The dish is also found in Indonesia, showing its reach beyond its original region.

Questions people ask about Maraq

What is maraq made of?

Maraq is prepared by simmering meat such as lamb, chicken, or seafood, or sometimes just vegetables, with spices, onions, garlic, and ginger. The result is a clear, flavorful broth.

Where does maraq come from?

Maraq is a traditional dish from Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula, and it is also found in Indonesia and Djibouti.

How is maraq usually served?

It is commonly served over rice or with flatbread on the side. The broth can be poured on top of the rice or enjoyed separately, and fresh lime may be squeezed in for extra flavor.

Are there vegetarian versions of maraq?

Yes, versions made with vegetables or red lentils are also part of Somali cooking, offering a meatless alternative.

What meals is maraq eaten at?

Maraq is typically eaten at lunch or dinner as part of a home-cooked meal.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Maraq (dish)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). 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.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

More from Somalia

All the food of Somalia
Halvaحَلَاوَة 🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreDense sweet made from seeds, grains, or vegetables, found across Asia, Africa, and Europe Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time OodkacMeat 🇸🇴 Somalia and 3 moreSomali preserved meat cubes cooked and stored in butter Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Qamar al-DinVeganقمر الدين 🇸🇾 Syria and 3 moreThick apricot fruit leather and drink, especially served during Ramadan Drink, Snacks Bariis iskukarisMeat 🇸🇴 SomaliaSomali rice cooked with meat, spices and vegetables in one pot Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

Its cousins elsewhere

All soups
Freekehفريكة 🇵🇸 Palestine and 5 moreRoasted green durum wheat grains, a staple across the eastern Mediterranean Main dish, Lunch, Dinner GoulashMeatgulyás 🇭🇺 Hungary and 5 moreA paprika-spiced meat and vegetable soup from Hungary Soup, Lunch, Dinner DalVeganदाल 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreSoupy dish made from split lentils, peas or beans, a staple across South Asia Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chicken soupMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreA hot soup of chicken simmered with vegetables, noodles or grains Soup, Lunch, Dinner

The weekly plate

Every Monday: seven dishes you may not know, what the world is cooking this week, and one way of eating.