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Iran is not an Arab country, but rather it’s where the Middle East meets Asia. This is reflected in its cuisine. Meat kebabs, rice and stews are staples of the diet, saffron abounds, chai stalls populate street corners — though plenty of street-side falafel vendors can be found, too. Just make sure you save space for the delicious Iranian deserts and sweets!
Kebabs. Meat Kebabs are a staple of the Iranian diet. The most popular meats are lamb / mutton and chicken, with duck sometimes being served, too.
Note you won’t find pork on menus in Iran. This is because Iran is a muslim country, and eating pork goes against Muslim beliefs.
The Iranians love their breads, and while some types are far more familiar to the western eye — baguettes can often be found — the Lavash and Sangak look far more interesting.
Normally an unexciting dish, the Iranians have managed to transform the ordinary into something memorable with barbary rice. Served with pomegranate seeds and butter, this rice is traditionally served at weddings, but also makes its way onto many Iranian restaurant menus, served with kebabs. Enjoy!
Another staple of Persian cuisine is Khoresh, or stew. Almost always meat-based, stews often include prunes, spinach, potatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans and even dried limes.
Just like its Middle Eastern and Asian neighbors, spices are an integral part of Iranian cooking, and a visit to any bazaar in Iran will support this.
Perhaps the most quintessential Iranian spice of all — saffron — is also its finest. From ice cream to Iranian sweets, to rice you’ll find saffron abounds.
When you’re thirsty, there are a few Iranian drinks you’ll want to sip to quench your thirst, including:
To enter an Iranian tea house is arguably to see Iranian society at its best. Tea houses are often beautifully decorated. They’re also a natural meeting point for everyone in a country where alcohol is not allowed. Tea is traditionally served black, with (lots of) sugar and spices like cardamom, cinnamon and rose water.
Iranian tea houses often also have musicians playing in the background, and have shisha (Ghaliyan, which means water pipe) on offer — although in some places such as Isfahan, the Ghaliyan is being clamped down on by the authorities.
This Iranian drink is simply fresh buttermilk, often served with mint.
Craving some Iranian sweets? Here a few that will satisfying your sweet tooth while bringing you deeper into Iranian culture.
Perhaps one of the most famous sweet treats of Iran, Faloudeh is a speciality from the beautiful and literary city of Shiraz. Rice noodles are served in a semi-frozen syrup with rose water and more than a few spoons of sugar. Lime is added to lessen the sweetness as needed.
Iranian Halva is slowly toasted with sugar, rosewater and saffron, giving it a unique flavor compared to other Halva found across the Middle East and even in India. Halva is traditionally served during religious holidays at funerals, but it’s delicious texture and taste is bound to have you calling for more at any time!
Last but not least, for those on the go or in a hurry, pick up a saffron ice cream for a cooling sweet with a truly local touch.
The expat relocation to Iran is definitely an exciting international opportunity and cross-cultural adventure: Visiting the landscape such as the dense rain forest (or shomal) of the north, getting to know how Iranian folks celebrate the end of Ramadhan, or acquiring a taste for Iran’s popular dishes like nan-e kabab.
Relocating to and living in Iran necessitates lots of reliable information on different facets of Iranian expat life. Many questions come up when living overseas in Iran: ʺAre we, as expats, liable to Iranian income tax law?ʺ, ʺIs there a party circuit to join in Tehran?ʺ, ʺHow to find a trustworthy maid in Tehran?ʺ, or ʺWhat are the requirements to get a Iranian residence permit for my wife?ʺ
Looking for so much information on working and living in Iran is rather bothersome and requires a lot of time. The InterNations Expat Guide for Iran is designed to help you and offers trusted information on all issues of interest to expats living in Iran. Various topics are covered in our Iran Expat Guide from housing and household, to administration & finance or restaurants and nightlife, up to food & shopping. Such characteristic questions that concern expat life abroad as ʺWhich cultural or religious taboos should I particularly adhere to?ʺ will no more remain open.