Do you Kibbeh?
Kibbeh be saniyeh (cooked in the oven), Kibbeh ma2lieh (fried), labanieh (with yoghurt) or safarajlieh (with quince), there are multiple ways of preparing kibbeh in Aleppo. The city is also famous for its mahashees (stuffed vegetables) and kebab and is often called “ Umm al Mahashee wal Kebab” (Capital city of the Stuffed vegetables and Kebabs). The rich history and the diversity of the population have contributed to make Aleppo the craddle of the traditional levantine cuisine.
There’s no joke about food here, it is complex, sophisticated and so heartwarming. "Get a few Aleppans together and the conversation naturally turns toward food". Wherever they will be, Aleppans will always bring food from their hometown with them. New York, London or Erevan, search for Aleppian food and you’ll find it served with memories.
Local specialities
• Kibbeh: a mix of burghul and ground meat blended and grounded together, creating a sort of paste then stuffed with fried ground meat, minced nuts or pistachios and minced onions. Kibbeh is considered as the main signature of Aleppo cuisine. There are around 77 different kibbeh dishes and 28 kibbeh recipes, quince kibbeh recipe is one of the oldest and dates back 800 years.
• Kabab Karaz: this kebab made of a mix between minced lamb and "wishna", a small and sour black cherry that grows on the outskirts of the city is a must taste. It is the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours, the unique presentation on triangular pieces of bread decorated with pine nuts and parsley.
• Kibbeh Safarjalieh: very emblematic dish of Aleppo as it isn’t done anywhere else. This sour and sweet dish consists of quinces, beef or lamb meat (per usual) and balls of kebbeh cooked in tomato sauce and pomegranate molasses, to enhance the taste.
• “Sheikh el Me7shi”: Me7shi litterally means "stuffed" and is often used to name different kinds of stuffed vegetables dishes (similar to "Dolma"). This dish can be translated as “the king of the me7shis” as it's almost always made of zucchinis stuffed with rice and minced lamb, chopped onions and pinions. It can be fried or cooked in the oven with a sauce made of yoghurt with tahina and garlic
• Itch: this Armenian salad has been fully integrated to the gastronomy of the city. Often called "Armenian taboule", Itch is a fresh mix of bulghur, onions, tomatos and herbs perfect to challenge the classic Hummus, Babaghanush, Fatoush, mezze trinity.
• Mammounieh: this sweet dish is a must have in every breakfast table of Aleppo. This mix of semolina and butter stewed in water and sugar is served with a cream cheese called “jebneh mshalshaleh”. .
• Maarouk: this stuffed sweet brioche is a Ramadan stapple in Aleppo. We can find several recipes, mainly with different fillings eshta (cream), dates or chocolate.
WANES RESTAURANT
One of the oldest Armenian restaurant in town. Wanes is a family-owned restaurant managed by the second generation maintaining . Rich mix of traditional Syrian and Armenian dishes which makes it one of the best choices in Aleppo for authentic local kitchen.
Adress: Al Azizieh +963 21 211 6001
ALEPPO CLUB
Le Club d'Alep or نادي حلب (Nadi Haleb in Arabic)is, since its opening in 1945, the center of the bourgeois social life of the city. Local elite meets to discuss, play cards, listen to Sabah Fakhri while enjoying one of the best table. Located in an old mansion, with composite architecture , this institution moves to an outdoor spot during summer.
Adress: Azizieh (in winter)
MANSOURA BAKERY-NYC
Mansoura is a NY institution when it comes to Middle Eastern sweets. Founded in Aleppo in 1770 by a Jewish local family, the business relocated to Cairo in the early 1910’s,where it quickly became a top choice serving the Egyptian monarchy. The Revolution took them to Paris and New York where they settled in Brooklyn in 1961. Their knaffeh and ghribeh are a reference in whole America, especially for Sephardic communities
Address: 515 Kings Hwy, Brooklyn, NY 11223, United States
ALEPPO SUPPER CLUB-BERLIN
Aleppo Supper club is the brainchild of Ahmed, who after leaving Aleppo during the war decided to celebrate the culinary heritage of his hometown. Not a fix address but a pop up kitchen all over London. The Aleppo Supper club is a social entreprise bringing revenue to Syrian refugees in London.
When in London you can book them through their facebook page www.facebook.com/alepposupperclublondon