What are some traditional Lebanese foods to order?

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EatFirst Key Account Manager Rami Karaki, who was born in Lebanon, shares some of his favourite Lebanese foods he thinks should be a staple on any Lebanese catering menu.

• Chicken shawarma: Spit-roasted chicken marinated in cumin, cardamon, turmeric and other spices
• Chili potatoes
• Fattoush salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and fried pita bread
• Dips, including hummus, babaganoush and toum
• Kibbeh: Football-shaped balls of meat, spices, bulgur wheat
• Fatayer: Spinach triangle pastries (can also have cheese or meat)
• Bulgur pilaf: Bulgur simmered in tomato sauce
• Loubieh bi zeit: Green beans braised with garlic, onion and tomato
• Mujadara: Lentils and rice with caramalised onions

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While Rami isn't a vegan, he notes that quite a few of these dishes are vegan-friendly, which is great for those who are on both plant-based and dairy-free diets.

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What to order when catering for special dietary requirements

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If some of your team or event guests have certain allergies or diets that need to be catered for, we make it easy to figure out what is and isn't suitable for them. Each of our menu items will be labelled, but here's a guide that should help you when ordering Lebanese food.

It's important to note though, that each restaurant may prepare items different, so it's best to double check the menu before ordering, especially for serious allergies.

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Gluten-free

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If you're catering for some coeliac or gluten-free guests, avoid Lebanese bread in their dishes. Unless noted that it's gluten-free, it's best to skip falafel too as, while it's mostly made of chickpeas, sometimes it does contain wheat flour as well.

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Dairy-free

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Cheeses such as labneh and yogurt-based dips are common on Lebanese menus, but aren't essential. Labneh is usually served on the side as is yogurt. If you're ordering any pre-made wraps or single-serve plates, opt for sauces or sides that don't include cheese or yogurt.

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Vegan/Vegetarian

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Dips, salads, breads, picked vegetables and falafel are all staples on Lebanese menus and don't usually contain animal products. Lebanese pita bread does not contain any egg or milk, and is suitable for vegans.

As some dips may contain yogurt or mayonnaise (which contains eggs), it's best to check the ingredients on those items before ordering.

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Kosher/Halal

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There aren't many Lebanese dishes that contain haram foods, such as pork. While Kosher and halal foods have similar principles, they don't always go hand-in-hand. We'd recommend checking with our customer service team if you're unsure about any items.

Is Lebanese food healthy?

Yes! SBS highlights the popularity of the Mediterranean Diet and it's similarities to the Middle Eastern Diet, which includes Lebanese and Turkish food.

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Middle Eastern diets tend to include less processed food, and it's rich in whole grains, olive oils, nuts and seeds.

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It's also easy to avoid fried foods with Lebanese cuisine as it's offered, but not a staple. Of course, hot chips and fried falafel appear on most menus, but it's easy to opt for grilled meats, salads, rice and fresh bread instead.

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