• About Us
  • Readers Write
  • Our People
Carthage Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Food & Drinks
    • Taste Tunisia
  • People
    • Interviews
    • No Sugarcoating
    • Environment
  • Style & Travel
    • Attractions
    • Trip Planning
      • Travel Information
      • Hotels in Tunisia
      • Cost of Living
      • Tunisia’s Language
      • Tunisia’s Weather
      • Tunisia’s Currency
      • Tunisia’s Visa
    • Transport in Tunisia
      • Traveling Around
      • Local Transport
      • Flights to Tunisia
      • Ferries to Tunisia
      • Tunisia Overland
    • Things to Do
      • Leisure
  • Local History
    • Museums
    • Monuments
    • Heritage Sites
    • Historical Figures
  • Education
  • Tech & Startups
  • Editors’ Picks
Editors' PicksFood & Drinks

7 Things You Didn’t Know about Tunisian Food6 min read

By Tayssir Ben Hassen December 10, 2021
Written by Tayssir Ben Hassen December 10, 2021
Tunisian Food - Rouz Jerbi

Tunisian food is one of the world’s great cuisines. From an unbeatable Couscous to a heady Shakshuka, Tunisian cuisine is a mix of varied, zesty and very spicy Mediterranean and oriental flavors and textures in several layers. Its uniqueness and richness stem from the different cultures and civilizations that ruled the land from Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Berbers, Arabs, Spaniards, Turks, Italians to the French.. Each had left behind its own culinary legacy.

Very rich in flavors and spices, Tunisian cuisine is truly a special one. Here are 7 things you absolutely need to know about Tunisian food!

#1. Keeping it Spicy!

Tunisian Octopus and Barley Soup Tchich
Tunisian Octopus and Barley Soup Tchich with red pepper.

We are literally Shaab Al Harissa, “Harissa people” in English. Harissa is a popular paste which is used a lot in Tunisian food.

Any dish, especially gravies and sauces, wouldn’t be complete without this typically hot Tunisian condiment made mainly with chilli pepper. Tunisians add it to just about anything and restaurants usually serve it with olive oil and bread as an appetizer.

#2. Pasta is the Answer!

Tunisian Seafood Pasta
Tunisian Seafood Pasta. Shot taken by Rahma Rekik for Carthage Magazine.

To say Tunisians love pasta is an understatement! The proof has been validated by the Union of Organizations of manufacturers of Pasta Products of the EU since 2015. Yes, we are the second largest consumers of pasta in the world after our fellow Italians.

Pasta is an integral part of Tunisian food and there are all kinds. Homemade Rechta (noodles), Nwasser (pasta cut into squares and steam cooked) and industrial pastas.

A typical Tunisian pasta is mainly made with a piping hot tomato sauce and some spices.

#3. Tunisian Cuisine is Not that Vegan!

Tunisian Mloukhiya
Tunisian Mloukhiya made with lamb meat by Rahma Rekik – The Tunisian Dietitian. Photo provided for Carthage Magazine.

Just like all Mediterranean cuisines, Tunisian food is heavily based on meat and seafood. However, there are some vegan meals like Kafteji and the famous Tunisian grilled salad.

For a Meatless Monday, a vegan recipe would taste as good as its meatier version. No worries!

Suggested Read: Tunisia’s Octopus Salad: The Best Tunisian Seafood Salad

#4. Bread Goes with Every Meal!

Khobz Ch3ir Tounsi
Tunisian Barley Bread made by Rahma Rekik – The Tunisian Dietitian. Photo provided for Carthage Magazine.

There is always at least a French baguette on every Tunisian dining table. Period.

Suggested Read: Mlewi: The Most Popular Tunisian Flatbread

#5. Street Food is Affordable and Delicious

Tunisian Street food
Fricasse.

In Tunisia Fast food stalls and restaurants are found wherever you go, both in upscale and popular cities. They offer a lot of food options ranging from hot to sweet and run the gamut from a snack to a full-fledged meal. One of the most popular signature snacks are Fricassés and Brikas.

Perfect if you are on the go, Fricassés are deep-fried donuts filled with Harissa, Tuna, mashed potatoes olives and eggs. Very much like samosa, brik consists of wrapped pastry dough filled with Harissa, potatoes, a runny egg, tuna and parsley. You can always ask the vendor to go easy on harissa as some can be heavy handed with the spicy hot paste.

Some restaurants serve also a variety of authentic Tunisian meals such as Rouz Jerbi (Tunisian rice), Kafteji, Shakshuka, Lentil soup, Shan tounsi (Tunisian plate) and Couscous. Nothing beats a cold, refreshing Tunisian lemonade or a fresh mint tea to calm down the heat in your throat after those culinary experiences!

Another famous street food is Lablebi: Hearty enough for a filling meal, Lablebi is made with leftover bread dipped in a gooey liquid with chickpeas, Harissa, cumin and a good glug of olive oil. Not for the faint hearted!

#6. Food Names Can Be Really Funny

Omek Houria Salad
Omek Houria made by Rahma Rekik – The Tunisian Dietitian. Photo provided for Carthage Magazine.

There are some weird food names out there!

Omek Houria: “Your mom is a fairy” / Ain Sbanyouria: “Eye of the Spanish”/ Ouethnine El Kathi: “Ears of the judge” / Rkeyeb Laazouza: “The knees of the old woman” / Swebaa Fatma: “The fingers of Fatma”

#7. There is Always Room for Dessert!

Orange Cake
Orange Cake made by Rahma Rekik – The Tunisian Dietitian. Photo provided for Carthage Magazine.

Mouth-watering sweets are commonly found in Tunisia like Makroudh (made with semolina, filled with dates and pressed in lozenge molds and then fried) and Yoyo (A sweet fried delicacy dipped in a honey syrup).

A trip to Tunisia wouldn’t be also complete without tasting a fluffy Bambalouni, a staple Tunisian treat fried and dripped in sugar. Early birds eat Ftayer occasionally, a breakfasty version of Bambalouni. “Zamit” with Pomegranate as well and a lot of other sweet dessert options out there in Tunisia are something not to miss.

Tasty Tunisian desserts:

  • Date & Walnut Bread — The Perfect Healthy Dessert
  • Tunisian-Style Stuffed Dates — Tunisia’s Healthiest Sweet Appetizer
  • Tajine El Bey: Tunisia’s Finest Appetizer

If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Carthage Magazine, leave a comment below or head over to our Facebook page. You may also message us via this page.

And if you liked this article, sign up for the monthly features newsletter. A handpicked selection of stories from Carthage Magazine, delivered to your inbox.

Support Carthage Magazine
0 comment
5
FacebookTwitterEmail
Tayssir Ben Hassen

Executive editor at Carthage Magazine.

previous post
Galactech Signs a Strategic Partnership with the Tunisian E-Sports Federation
next post
Olive Oil: Tunisia’s Gift to the World

Related Articles

Jamie Oliver Uncovers the Flavor of the Tunisian...

September 17, 2023

Tunisian Mint Tea: A Symbol of Identity, Hospitality...

September 5, 2023

Towards Healing and Growth Rethinking Mental Health in...

August 25, 2023

Fruits From Tunisia: 15 Tunisian Fruits to Eat...

August 20, 2023

Climate Change & the Fight for Equity: Mohammed’s...

August 13, 2023

Bsissa: Tunisia’s Ancient Powerhouse Dish

August 3, 2023

The Shark of Carthage: The Swimmer Who Inspired...

July 31, 2023

Tunisia’s Iconic Red Lizard Train: A Unique &...

July 19, 2023

Nearshoring: Tunisia’s Growing Appeal for Outsourcing in the...

June 28, 2023

Ribat of Sousse 🗝 — An Impressive 8th-Century...

April 21, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Flavors of Tunisia

Taste-Tunisia-Tunisian-Cuisine-3

Want more top stories?

Carthage Magazine Newsletter

Sign up today and you’ll get our latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Quizzes

Quiz: How Well Do You Know African Countries...

QUIZ: Think You’re a Know-It-All? Try Naming These...

Just For You

  • 1

    US Coffee Giant Starbucks Finally Opens Cafe in Tunisia

    November 22, 2019
  • 2

    Jamie Oliver Uncovers the Flavor of the Tunisian Cuisine

    September 17, 2023
  • 3

    5 Mind-Blowing Facts about the Tunisian Arabic

    February 12, 2021
  • 4

    Find Out Why PayPal Does Not Work in Tunisia

    August 14, 2019
  • 5

    Assidat Zgougou — Tunisia’s Sweetness in a Bowl

    December 16, 2020

Latest

  • Tunisian Star Ons Jabeur Wins Her Fifth WTA Title at Ningbo Open

  • Tunisia Delays Visit of European Delegation to the Country

  • UAE’s Amea Power to Build $86m Solar Project in Tunisia

  • Electricity Fully Restored in Tunisia After Nationwide Blackout

Sections

  • Editors' Picks
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Food & Drinks
  • Local History
  • News
  • No Sugarcoating
  • People
  • Quizzes
  • Style & Travel
  • Tech & Startups
  • Things to Do
  • Videos

E᙭ᑭᒪOᖇE

Carthage Magazine

We’re on a mission to create content that inspires people about experiences, places, products and people in Tunisia!

 

— About Us

— Adverstising

— Transparency

— Contact Us

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube

ᗯᗩᑎT ᗰOᖇE TOᑭ ᔕTOᖇIEᔕ?

Carthage Magazine Newsletter

Sign up today and you’ll get our latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

ᔕᑭᖇEᗩᗪ TᕼE ᗯOᖇᗪ

Spread the word

Our goal is to get these stories out in the public arena, and by doing this, keep promoting Tunisia and changing attitudes towards the MENA region.

 

— Ambassadors

— Readers Write

— What You Can Do to Help

EᗪITOᖇᔕ’ ᑭIᑕKᔕ

  • Towards Healing and Growth Rethinking Mental Health in Tunisia

    August 25, 2023
  • Fruits From Tunisia: 15 Tunisian Fruits to Eat When Traveling

    August 20, 2023
  • Climate Change & the Fight for Equity: Mohammed’s Vision for a Resilient Tunisia

    August 13, 2023

© 2019 - 2023 Carthage Magazine. Privacy Policy

Carthage Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Food & Drinks
    • Taste Tunisia
  • People
    • Interviews
    • No Sugarcoating
    • Environment
  • Style & Travel
    • Attractions
    • Trip Planning
      • Travel Information
      • Hotels in Tunisia
      • Cost of Living
      • Tunisia’s Language
      • Tunisia’s Weather
      • Tunisia’s Currency
      • Tunisia’s Visa
    • Transport in Tunisia
      • Traveling Around
      • Local Transport
      • Flights to Tunisia
      • Ferries to Tunisia
      • Tunisia Overland
    • Things to Do
      • Leisure
  • Local History
    • Museums
    • Monuments
    • Heritage Sites
    • Historical Figures
  • Education
  • Tech & Startups
  • Editors’ Picks
Carthage Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Food & Drinks
    • Taste Tunisia
  • People
    • Interviews
    • No Sugarcoating
    • Environment
  • Style & Travel
    • Attractions
    • Trip Planning
      • Travel Information
      • Hotels in Tunisia
      • Cost of Living
      • Tunisia’s Language
      • Tunisia’s Weather
      • Tunisia’s Currency
      • Tunisia’s Visa
    • Transport in Tunisia
      • Traveling Around
      • Local Transport
      • Flights to Tunisia
      • Ferries to Tunisia
      • Tunisia Overland
    • Things to Do
      • Leisure
  • Local History
    • Museums
    • Monuments
    • Heritage Sites
    • Historical Figures
  • Education
  • Tech & Startups
  • Editors’ Picks
© 2019 - 2023 Carthage Magazine. Privacy Policy

Read alsox

Top 6 Facebook Groups Every Tunisian Should...

September 2, 2019

Tens of Thousands of Jews Celebrate Unusual...

May 16, 2022

EXCLUSIVE: Swedish State Secretary for Gender Equality...

August 13, 2020