20 top Middle Eastern foods: Which is the best?

By Jade Bremner, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 9:47 PM EDT, Wed September 13, 2017
<strong>Falafel: </strong>These deep-fried, meat-free balls have become a common international street food dish.
Falafel: These deep-fried, meat-free balls have become a common international street food dish.
joseph eid/getty/cnn
<strong>Hummus: </strong>Made from mashed chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, this is one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods -- and a topic for fierce regional rivalries.
Hummus: Made from mashed chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, this is one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods -- and a topic for fierce regional rivalries.
JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Manakeesh: </strong>A round bread sprinkled with either cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar) which is known as the pizza of the Arabic world.
Manakeesh: A round bread sprinkled with either cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar) which is known as the pizza of the Arabic world.
alpha/flickr/cnn
<strong>Grilled halloumi: </strong>The salty cheese from Cyprus has a high melting point, so it can be both grilled and fried.<br />
Grilled halloumi: The salty cheese from Cyprus has a high melting point, so it can be both grilled and fried.
Shutterstock
<strong>Foul meddamas: </strong>Egypt's national dish is a stew of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon.<br />
Foul meddamas: Egypt's national dish is a stew of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon.
alpha/flickr/cnn
<strong>Tabouleh:</strong> A tasty combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes traditionally served as part of a mezze.
Tabouleh: A tasty combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes traditionally served as part of a mezze.
Courtesy Abdullah AlBargan / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Moutabal/baba ganoush:</strong> These two Middle Eastern foods are often confused. While they are both made with eggplant, the main difference is that moutabal has tahini in it.
Moutabal/baba ganoush: These two Middle Eastern foods are often confused. While they are both made with eggplant, the main difference is that moutabal has tahini in it.
Courtesy stu_spivack / Flickr / Creative Commons
<strong>Fattoush</strong>: Lebanon's most well-known salad is made up of fresh vegetables and toasted pita bread.
Fattoush: Lebanon's most well-known salad is made up of fresh vegetables and toasted pita bread.
stu_spivak/flickr/cnn
<strong>Umm ali: </strong>Rumor has it this traditional Egyptian dessert was dreamed up by the first wife of Sultan Ezz al-Din Ayba to celebrate the death of her rival.
Umm ali: Rumor has it this traditional Egyptian dessert was dreamed up by the first wife of Sultan Ezz al-Din Ayba to celebrate the death of her rival.
tingzon/flickr/cnn
<strong>Shanklish: </strong>A type of cow or sheep's milk cheese which is usually formed into golf ball-sized bites before being covered in zaatar herbs or dried chilli flakes.
Shanklish: A type of cow or sheep's milk cheese which is usually formed into golf ball-sized bites before being covered in zaatar herbs or dried chilli flakes.
charles haynes/flickr/cnn
<strong>Shawarma:</strong> This wrap of tender shreds of skewered chicken, garlic puree and salad wrapped in pita have become a global post-session favorite.
Shawarma: This wrap of tender shreds of skewered chicken, garlic puree and salad wrapped in pita have become a global post-session favorite.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Shish tawook:</strong> This marinated chicken shish kebab of Turkish origin is now a common Middle Eastern barbecue dish.
Shish tawook: This marinated chicken shish kebab of Turkish origin is now a common Middle Eastern barbecue dish.
Courtesy stu_spivack / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Mansaf: </strong>Lamb slow-cooked in a yogurt sauce and sprinkled with almond and pine nuts -- Jordan's most famous dish.
Mansaf: Lamb slow-cooked in a yogurt sauce and sprinkled with almond and pine nuts -- Jordan's most famous dish.
sstrieu/flickr/cnn
<strong>Kofta: </strong>Balls of minced lamb or beef which can be fried, grilled, barbecued or baked.
Kofta: Balls of minced lamb or beef which can be fried, grilled, barbecued or baked.