{"id":5434,"date":"2022-04-12T07:43:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T07:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=5434"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:30:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:30:03","slug":"iran-unusual-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-unusual-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Unusual Foods You Must Try In Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is true that unlike the Southeast Asian countries, Iranian people are very conservative when it comes to food. Most people will only enjoy foods that are very similar to what they\u2019ve had before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kabab koobideh<\/a>, Joojeh kabab or Ghormeh sabzi! But it doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t find unusual foods<\/a> here. Take a look at our list of the most unusual dishes in Iran that you must try when you are there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASH-E YAKH<\/h2>\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re planning to travel to Iranian Azerbaijan region in the summer and would like to experience a totally different food, we suggest you try Ash-e Yakh<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This local food is made of sour yoghurt, ice cubes, fresh local vegetables, rice, garlic and spices. In order to prepare this food local experts will boil fresh vegetables, rice and spices then let it cool down and add sour yoghurt and ice cubes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BARRE TOODELI<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Barre toodeli is one of the least known rare foods of Iranian food<\/a> culture. Barre toodeli is an unborn fetus of sheep or cow which the butcher will pull out from those animals prior to slaughtering end office to rich elite guests. You can find Barre toodeli in some old fashioned butcheries and get it deep fried or barbequed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who have eaten this, believe it is one of the most delicious foods!
It might be interesting to know that parts of this unborn fetus is also used to make some parts of an Iranian musical instrument called Taar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEL, JIGAR AND GHOLVEH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Del, Jigar and Gholve (Heart, Liver and Kidney) kabobs are a popular street food in Iran<\/a>. Making your way up the winding, mountainous streets of Darband in Tehran, one of the most common cuts of meat that you\u2019ll see being skewered in the plethora of eateries is jigar. If you really want to try best Jigar in Tehran we suggest you to go to Bahman sq in Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOLME SIRABI<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Dolme Sirabi (Tripe Dolmade) is one of the local traditional foods unique to the industrial city of Arak in central Iran. Ingredients include split peas, rice, fresh aromatic vegetables like tarragon, cilantro and dill. Just like vine dolmades, white and clean tripe is filled with minced meat, onion, rice and vegetable and steamed in a sweet and sour sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tripe is a good source of vitamin B and its soft texture and taste combined with sweet and sour sauce satisfies a lot of fussy yet adventurous eaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KALLE PACHE<\/h2>\n\n\n
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You can not get to know Iranian cuisine without trying \u201cKale Pache\u201d, an Iranian classic dish, made with a sheep\u2019s entire head and its hooves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some consider it as an energetic breakfast while others avoid it because of rich amount of cholesterol. Perhaps, firstly it seems a bit frightening when different parts of sheep\u2019s head including brain, eyes and tongue are served in your plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the taste of it which is seasoned with lemon and cinnamon may change your former perception. Cooking Kaleh Pacheh seems so easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just collect the heads and feet of sheep and then mash, cook and treat as per the recipe. However, it is not as simple as it looks. Kaleh pacheh , in most restaurants, is served from 3 am until midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIRAB O SHIRDOON<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sirab Shirdoon is an Iranian dish made with lamb\u2019s Tripe, Chickpeas, Onion, Garlic, Salt, pepper and Saffron. Tripe is the lining of the stomach of a cow or sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you want to give it a try, keep in mind that tripe requires a long and slow cooking time of at least 12 hours if you want it to be tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tripe also is eaten in some other parts of the world like in the Eastern European cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASHPAL<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Ashpal (roe) is the eggs from female fishes. roe is used both as a cooked ingredient in many dishes and as a raw ingredient. In the Caspian provinces of Gilan<\/a> and Mazandaran, several types of roe are used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Called ashpal or ashbal, roe is consumed grilled, cured, salted, or mixed with other ingredients. If salted or cured, it is consumed as a condiment. If used fresh, it is usually grilled, steamed, or mixed with eggs and fried to form a custard-like dish called \u201cAshpal Kuku\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the much sought-after caviar, roe from kutum (also known as Caspian white fish or Rutilus frisii kutum), Caspian roach (called \u201ckuli\u201d in Gileki), bream (called \u201ckulmeh\u201d in Gileki), and Caspian salmon are highly prized. Roe from carp is less common and barbel roe is also occasionally used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TAHDIG<\/h2>\n\n\n
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WARNING: It would disappear faster than you could even make it to the table. If you blink, it will be gone and simply no leftovers!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The word tahdig is Persian, meaning \u201cbottom of the pot.\u201d It\u2019s a layer of crispy rice that develops on the bottom of the pot while the rice is cooking. It\u2019s crunchy, delicious, and considered the \u201cprized\u201d part of the rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The talent of an Iranian cook is often measured by his or her ability to create a quality tahdig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n