Every city of Iran has its unique local dishes, reflecting centuries of history and culture. Mashhad, one of the most popular cities in Iran, is no exception. The traditional dishes of Mashhad are not only rich in flavor but also deeply rooted in the traditions of the city.
You might know Mashhad for its famous Sholeh Mashhadi, Dizi Sangi, or Shishlik Shandiz, but the city’s culinary offerings extend far beyond these well-known dishes. From delicious desserts to vibrant main courses, this article by SURFIRAN delves into the traditional foods of Mashhad. Stay with us to the end of this exploration.
Famous Local Dishes of Mashhad
Regardless of where you come from, tasting the local dishes of a new city can transform your travel experience. Mashhad, a favorite destination in Iran, offers a variety of local dishes that are immensely popular among visitors. Here, we explore some of the most important and delicious traditional foods of Mashhad.
Contents
1) Sholeh Mashhadi: A Registered Iranian Heritage
You’ve likely heard of Sholeh Mashhadi, a traditional dish that has been registered as an Iranian heritage. This dish dates back to the Qajar era and has been a beloved staple among the people of Mashhad ever since.
Sholeh Mashhadi is made with ingredients like beef or lamb, onions, mung beans, lentils, red beans, wheat bulgur, rice, black and red pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. We recommend that when you visit Mashhad, you make sure to try Sholeh Mashhadi.
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To prepare Sholeh Mashhadi, first, cook the meat with onions and spices for 2 to 3 hours. Then remove the meat, mash it well, and add the legumes. Cook the mixture until it thickens, then garnish with Gheimeh and serve with Sangak bread and fresh herbs.
2) Ash Lakhshak
Ash Lakhshak is a fascinating local dish from Mashhad made with a type of wide noodle called Lakhshak. This delicious soup also includes spinach, kashk (fermented whey), onions, dried mint, and fresh garlic.
To prepare Ash Lakhshak, start by cooking lentils, then add chopped spinach to the pot. After the greens have cooked, add the Lakhshak noodles and kashk. Garnish the dish with fried onions and dried mint for a perfect finish.
3) Shishlik Mashhadi and Shandiz
You may have heard of Shishlik Shandiz, a famous dish that is popular throughout Iran and even in other countries. However, the taste of this delightful kebab in Mashhad, due to the high quality of the meat, is particularly exceptional.
Shishlik Shandiz is especially famous in Shandiz and Torghabeh, and many visitors are eager to try this local Mashhad dish. While Shishlik is considered a luxurious meal due to the high cost of meat, it is a must-try if you visit Mashhad.
4) Dizi Sangi Mashhadi
Another delicious dish you must try in Mashhad is Dizi Sangi. Although Dizi is prepared in many cities across Iran, the version in Mashhad has a special flavor. This dish is cooked in a special stone pot called “Har Kareh,” which adds a unique aroma to the meal.
Dizi Sangi is made with lamb, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, chickpeas, and tail fat, among other ingredients.
5) Yatimcheh Mashhadi
Yatimcheh is a traditional Mashhadi dish where eggplant is the main ingredient. Although it’s a meatless dish, Yatimcheh is one of the most well-known and delicious local dishes of Mashhad.
To prepare Yatimcheh, cook beans, chickpeas, and lentils thoroughly. While these ingredients are cooking, fry onions, eggplant, and tomatoes, then add the cooked beans. Finally, garnish with fried mint and garlic, and enjoy this delightful meal.
6) Changali: A Delicious Mashhadi Dessert
Changali is a quick and easy dessert from Mashhad, perfect for an afternoon snack or after dinner. To make this dessert, heat some oil and fry leftover dry bread until crispy. Then, add sugar, honey, or any other sweetener of your choice. The dessert is named Changali because it is kneaded by hand.
7) Reshteh Polo Mashhadi
Reshteh Polo is one of the best local dishes of Mashhad. This special dish, often prepared during Nowruz, includes ingredients such as chicken or meatballs, raisins, dates, Reshteh Polo (a type of noodle rice), and special spices, creating a uniquely delicious flavor.
8) Satri Polo
Satri Polo is another famous Mashhadi dish that you might not have heard of. This dish, similar to carrot polo, is made with rice, minced meat, carrot strips, saffron, and raisins. The difference lies in the meat, which is shaped into small meatballs and cooked with the rice.
To prepare Satri Polo, first, mix minced meat with grated onions and spices, then form small meatballs. While the meatballs rest in the fridge, cook the carrots until soft, adding spices as needed. Finally, layer the meatballs and carrots with rice and steam them together.
9) Maghut Mashhadi
Maghut is a delightful Mashhadi dessert that resembles Shirazi Muskati in appearance. This dessert is made with almonds, saffron, and starch and is best served cold. Maghut can be enjoyed as an after-dinner treat or an afternoon snack.
10) Rhubarb Stew
Rhubarb stew is a traditional Mashhadi dish with a tart flavor, a contrast to the typically sweet dishes of Mashhad. Rhubarb is the main ingredient, giving the stew its distinctive taste. The dish is made with lamb, mint, parsley, onions, and rhubarb.
To prepare Rhubarb Stew, chop the rhubarb and sauté it with lamb and herbs. After adding water, let the stew simmer until fully cooked. Serve with rice for a complete meal.
11) Mashhadi Mix Rice
Mashhadi Mix Rice is a popular dish in the region, known for its vibrant appearance and delicious flavor. This dish includes ingredients such as meatballs, rice, carrots, tomatoes, onions, and various spices.
The dish is a combination of Estamboli and Lubia Polo, and we recommend adding a crispy potato or bread crust to enhance the experience.
12) Digeche
Digeche is another traditional Mashhadi dish often prepared during the months of Muharram and Safar. This dish is similar to Sholeh Zard, made with rice, cardamom, rosewater, butter, sugar, saffron, and milk.
13) Kuku Shirin Mashhadi
Another popular dessert in Mashhad is Kuku Shirin, made with flour, potatoes, corn, eggs, and saffron. To prepare this dish, mix potatoes, eggs, saffron, and flour, then cook it like a potato kuku. Finally, drizzle a syrup made from sugar, rosewater, and water over the kuku.
14) Qorut Mashhadi
Qorut is a traditional Mashhadi dish made with Kashk (fermented whey). The dish includes ingredients such as mint, turmeric, onions, Kashk, and walnuts, all of which have numerous health benefits.
15) Ash Kufteh Qeleqeli Mashhadi
Ash Kufteh Qeleqeli is a traditional Mashhadi soup made with fried onions, rice, fresh herbs, spices, and small meatballs. After cooking the rice and meatballs separately, combine them with the herbs and let the soup simmer. Serve with Kashk and fried mint for a delicious meal.
Best Restaurants in Mashhad to Taste Local Dishes
To taste the local dishes of Mashhad, you should visit the best restaurants in the city, where quality and flavor are highly prioritized. Here are some of the top restaurants in Mashhad:
- Pesarane Karim Restaurant: Charrah Khyam, Boulevard Dastgheib, Farhad 22.
- Eram Shandiz Restaurant: Shandiz, before the second square, at the corner of Imam Reza 28.
- Layali Lebanon Restaurant: Ayatollah Shirazi Street, Ayatollah Beheshti Street.
- Rezaei Restaurant: Intersection of Kaladooz, Abkouh Street.
- Ehsan Restaurant: Ahmadabad, Boulevard Mollasadra, Mollasadra 2, Ahmadabad 10th.
- Baba Ghodrat Restaurant: 17 Shahrivar Square, Imam Reza Boulevard, Sadr Boulevard, at the corner of Sadr 16.
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Conclusion
In this article by SURFIRAN, we explored the local dishes of Mashhad, providing comprehensive information about their ingredients, preparation methods, and more. We highly recommend that during your visit to Mashhad, you try these delicious and nutritious dishes to fully experience the city’s rich culinary heritage.
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