Muslim food is very diverse, says Imam Daayiee Abdullah, and here are some of the most popular you will find.
I converted to Islam in China in the 1980s and food was one of the cultural items I soon fell in love with. Beijing Muslims are primarily from the Hui ethnic group, and they enjoy a variety of traditional dishes.
Popular foods include lamian (hand-pulled noodles), yangrou paomo (lamb stew with bread), baozi (steamed buns filled with lamb or beef), and lamb kebabs.
Also, mianpi (cold noodles) and dumplings are also common.
Later, when I was in the Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, I found even more food items to enjoy.
In this guide, I will present some of the famous Muslim food you will encounter in diverse cultures.
Muslim Food or Halal
Muslim food is the dietary practices and dishes that adhere to Islamic values from religious texts. The key guideline is “halal” or permissible food.
Islamic dietary laws prohibit items such as pork, alcohol, and any form of intoxicants. For instance, meat must come from animals slaughtered according to specific rituals.
Common Muslim foods vary by region but include dishes like rise dishes, meat kebabs, hummus, falafel, and samosas.
In addition to halal meat, Muslims often consume fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. There is also a strong focus on cleanliness and gratitude in the preparation and consumption of food.
Across the Muslim cultures, tea is also extremely popular. You will find black tea, in particular, everywhere.
Traditional Muslim Food
Traditional Muslim foods are as diverse as the cultures within the Muslim world, yet they all adhere to the principles of halal dietary laws.
Progressive Islam is relaxed about food rules, although members in our communities follow the denominational food dietaries they are familiar with.
Early Muslims, including Prophet Muhammad and his companions, ate simple, nutritious foods. Common dishes included dates, barley bread, olives, honey, and milk.
They also enjoyed meat (usually lamb or goat), figs, and grapes, and soup and stew made with vegetables and meat were also part of their diet.
As previously noted, Muslim food exclude certain things, yet diversity is found in the wide range of regional dishes enjoyed by Muslims worldwide.
North Africa has items like tagine, a slow-cooked stew made with meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. This is typically served with couscous.
In South Asia, biryani is a beloved dish that consists of spiced rice cooked with meat such as chicken, mutton, or beef. It’s often served with raita (yogurt sauce) or salad.
A popular snack is samosas, which are historically from the Middle East. These are deep-fried pastry pockets filled with spiced potatoes, meat, or lentils, commonly enjoyed during Ramadan or special gatherings.
Hummus and falafel are staples across the Middle East. Hummus is a creamy dip made from a mix of things, and falafel are fried balls made from ground chickpeas or fava beans.
In the Balkans, traditional Muslim foods include flatbreads, as well as stuffed grape leaves (sarma), börek (savory pastry), and meat stews.
Popular Snacks
Popular snacks in Muslim cultures vary by region but often present local ingredients and traditions.
In the Middle East, falafel (fried chickpea balls) and hummus (chickpea dip) with pita bread are staples.
Samosas, filled with spiced meat or vegetables, are common in South Asia.
Baklava, a sweet pastry made with layers of filo dough, honey, and nuts, is a favorite in Turkey and the Balkans.
Dates and nuts are popular snacks, especially during Ramadan. They are also included in Eid foods.
In parts of Africa, brik (fried pastry with egg and tuna) is a popular snack, often enjoyed during iftar.
Lunch Muslim Food
Popular lunch Muslim food varies by region but usually feature hearty, flavorful dishes. The Islamic calendar is filled with events that bring everyone together, especially for lunch.
In the Middle East, kababs (grilled meat skewers) served with rice or flatbreads like pita are common. Hummus and tabbouleh (a parsley and bulgur salad) are popular sides.
In South Asia, biryani (spiced rice with meat) and dal (lentil stew) are staples.
And in Southeast Asian cultures, Muslims enjoy a variety of flavorful dishes influenced, including nasi lemak (coconut rice with sambal), satay (grilled skewers), rendang (spicy beef stew), and soto (soup).
Chinese Muslims enjoy dishes like lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles (lamian), yangrou paomo (lamb stew with bread). There are also dumplings filled with beef or lamb.
In Turkey, kebabs, meze (small appetizers), and pide (Turkish flatbread) are often enjoyed.
In East Africa, popular dishes include pilau (spiced rice with meat), and mandazi (fried dough pastry). Ugali (cornmeal porridge) and goat meat stews also feature prominently in daily meals.
Dessert is also a major aspect of lunch in many Muslim cultures.
Dinner Muslim Food
Dinner is another popular meal across Muslim cultures. In West Africa, dinner includes dishes like jollof rice with meat, pounded yam or fufu with stews, and suya (spicy grilled meat skewers).
In the Middle East, meals revolve around kebabs, shawarma, and meze (hummus, falafel, tabbouleh). You will also usually find flatbreads like pita.
Southeast Asian Muslims enjoy nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (grilled skewers), rendang (spicy beef stew), and laksa (spicy noodle soup).
For dinner, Chinese Muslims often eat lamb kebabs, noodle soups, dumplings (baozi), stir-fried vegetables, mutton stew, and pilaf with flatbread or rice.
In the Balkans, popular dinner dishes include ćevapi (grilled meat), sarma (stuffed grape leaves), and ajvar (pepper-based spread). They are usually enjoyed with bread or yogurt.
Sweets
Sweets are highly popular in Muslim cultures. These delicious items are enjoyed during celebrations like Eid, Ramadan, weddings, and festivals.
Of course, every region has its own sweet traditions. In East Africa, popular sweets include mandazi (fried dough pastries).
Middle Eastern sweets are famous for their strong flavors. Treats include baklava (flaky pastry with honey and nuts), kunafa (cheese or semolina dessert soaked in syrup), and ma’amoul (date-filled cookies).
In South Asia, gulab jamun (deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup), jalebi (crispy fried sweets soaked in syrup), and barfi (milk-based fudge) are common.
For Chinese Muslims, sweets include da bing (sweet flatbread), xiao long bao (steamed buns with sweet fillings), and sweet sticky rice desserts.
In the Balkans, sweets are central to celebrations, with favorites like baklava, tufahija (stuffed apples), and tulumba (fried dough soaked in syrup) enjoyed widely.
Conclusion
Muslim food is diverse. Influences come from local traditions, Islamic dietary laws (halal), and hospitality. And modern life has introduced more non-Muslim foods into mainstream culture, too.
Meals in many Muslim cultures include rice, meat (especially lamb, chicken, and beef), vegetables, and bread.
Sharing food is central, and special dishes are prepared for religious events, festivals, and family gatherings.
I hope you found a few things to want to try next time you’re in a new Muslim country.
May Allah continue to guide us all.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is the Executive Director of MECCA Institute and the author of “Progressive Islam,” a historic book that defines Progressive Islam.