Discover the Typical Food of Morocco: Thirteen Culinary Journeys into its Flavors and Traditions
In this post, we are going to talk about the typical Moroccan food, so get ready for this incredible gastronomic journey.
Morocco is one of the most visited countries in the world. Clearly, its natural and historical beauties, affordable prices, and its incredible and ancient imperial cities are a draw for tourists seeking something different and exotic. Even so, one of the things that caught our attention the most when visiting this country was trying the incredible and delicious food in Morocco and tasting its traditional dishes full of aroma and spices.
Here we have summarized what we believe are the dishes you should not miss from Moroccan cuisine. We hope it will be useful in your next adventure in Morocco.
Tips on Moroccan food | Msemen | Harcha | Briouat | Merguez | Harira | Couscous | Tajine | Pastilla | Fish Chermoula | Rfissa | Babbouche | Sfenj | Millefeuille | Conclusions
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Important tips for enjoying Moroccan food:
- Spices are the cornerstone of Moroccan food. If you don’t like cumin, cardamom, or very strong spice flavors, it might not be the country that suits your palate.
- Although it is true that almost all typical Moroccan dishes have a mix of spices, you always have the option of eating sandwiches (for example tuna) or the strangely named tacos, which are more like a kebab substitute than a real taco.
- Ras el Hanout: This is the most famous spice mix in the entire country. It is said that it can sometimes contain more than 30 spices and is the base of many dishes in Moroccan cuisine.
- In all restaurants, freshly baked bread, olives, and some sauces (usually spicy) are always served to start the meal, which is a nice touch.
- The food is usually not very salty; in fact, for a palate accustomed to flavorful food, Moroccan food might even seem bland. Even so, Moroccans prefer to season more with spices than with salt.
- Mint tea is something essential and will continuously be a part of your experience in Morocco. It is usually served as a welcome drink in Riads, and it is drunk on every occasion.
Although here we provide a list of 13 Moroccan dishes this cuisine has much more to offer. From warm and comforting soups to unexpected offal dishes, let yourself be carried away by the delights of Moroccan traditions and enjoy the surprises.
MSEMEN – The best Moroccan food
We start with something that will be part of your breakfasts in this country: it’s called Msemen and it’s essentially a crepe, though crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Although I just mentioned it’s perfect for breakfast, with a bit of jam or butter, you can find this typical Moroccan food in every corner of the country and almost at any time, so it won’t be difficult to taste this incredible delicacy. Enjoy your next Msemen in beautiful Morocco.
HARCHA – The best Moroccan food
This is my favorite. The first time I saw this bread in the Rabat Souk, prepared by the hands of a kind lady, I couldn’t resist trying it. Harcha is a semolina bread that is slowly cooked on a griddle.
The result is a soft, slightly sweet bite that pairs perfectly with a bit of butter or honey. Among the many types of bread typically made in this country, this is the one I recommend you try at least once during your trip to Morocco.
BRIOUAT– The best Moroccan food
This typical Moroccan dish is the perfect snack for any occasion. Although it is said that its origins are from the city of Fez, these crispy triangles can be found in every city across the country, as they are easy to prepare and eat.
Their filling can vary, and while it’s true that the most classic ones have a sweet filling, you can also find them with meat, cheese, or even fish in the coastal areas of the country. Briouat is a typical bite of Moroccan traditions that will leave you with fond memories of this cuisine and a sweet taste in your mouth.
MERGUEZ – The best Moroccan food
These sausages, or rather slightly spicy chorizos, are a classic of the street food in this country and something you cannot miss on your next trip to Morocco.
These chorizos are usually made with beef or lamb, and contrary to what you might think, they are rich, tender, and addictive. The best version I tried during my experience in this country was grilled over charcoal, served in pita bread with a good spicy sauce.
An absolute delight for my palate that made me add it to this list of typical Moroccan dishes that you absolutely must try. Trust a foodie like me.
HARIRA– The best Moroccan food
We couldn’t have our ‘Fun Food Travelling’ post about any country in the world without including a soup.
Harira is the classic and most common soup in Moroccan meals, a comforting, hot, and affordable dish that will surely be a part of your experience in this amazing country.
This chickpea and lentil soup is not only highly appreciated by tourists but is also one of the most popular foods during Ramadan, making it perfect for breaking the fast at sunset.
Our tip: When we travel we always make sure to have travel insurance. Our personal recommendation is Truetraveller as they have great support and health coverage around the world. And don’t worry if you forget about it, you can purchase the insurance during your trip!
COUSCOUS – The best Moroccan food
We’ve reached the preparation that is undoubtedly Morocco’s national dish. It’s the dish that locals eat every Friday at family gatherings. In fact, you’ll notice that markets start filling up with the vegetables and produce used in this dish from the day before.
Although you can find couscous every day in tourist spots, I recommend you try it on Friday at a local place where it is prepared specifically for that day; you won’t regret it.
While the most classic version is a vegetable stew (if I’m not mistaken, it’s seven different types), you can also find it with various types of meat or fish, depending on the area you’re in that Friday. This Moroccan dish is not just couscous; it embodies familiarity, history, traditions, and culture, and it’s also a delicious part of Moroccan tradition.
TAJINE/TAGINE – The best Moroccan food
You might be wondering, what is Tajine?
It could be defined as a dish, or rather many dishes, simply because the word Tajine refers to a clay pot with a conical lid where anything can be cooked. It’s a kind of ancient and functional pressure cooker that works wonderfully, and where locals prepare some of the best typical Moroccan dishes.
The standout ones, in my opinion, are lemon (pickled) chicken or lamb with dried fruits, both an explosion of flavors you can’t miss. Still, I recommend you try as many different options as you can and be surprised by the expert hands of the cooks in this country.
PASTILLA– The best Moroccan food
Pastilla is the most unusual dish I had the pleasure of trying during my two months stay in Morocco.
Honestly, its sweet and savory mix is not for every palate. However, in my opinion, if well-executed, it is very delicious with a complexity of flavors. It is a festive dish, served at weddings or large celebrations, and its traditional recipe includes pigeon meat, almonds, eggs, onions, sugar, and spices, topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
In Moroccan restaurants around the world, you can easily find this typical Moroccan dish filled with hen or simply chicken, which is just as good. Definitely, pastilla is a dish that will leave you in awe of its complexity and exquisite taste.
FISH CHERMOULA– The best Moroccan food
I’m a sea person from an island, and we eat a lot of fish there.
Even so, this typical Moroccan dish has won me over with its freshness and flavor. It may seem very simple, but the blend of spices and fresh herbs, including the cilantro I adore, gives any fish a special touch.
Although you can eat it with any type of fresh fish or as a dipping sauce, I recommend trying sardines, whether grilled or baked; it’s a total hit and must in Morocco.
RFISSA– The best Moroccan food
A Moroccan dish we’ve had the pleasure of trying only once, but I recommend you try it because, along with pastilla, it is one of the dishes that Moroccans often prepare for special occasions or if you’re invited to their home.
It is probably the most substantial and hearty dish I’ve eaten in two months there, as it consists of a very aromatic chicken and lentil stew, layered with many layers of Msemen.
In short, it’s a gastronomic journey to Morocco served on a plate; let yourself be carried away by Moroccan hospitality.
BABBOUCHE– The best Moroccan food
For many, it may seem exotic or strange depending on where you come from. Nevertheless, Babbouche, or stewed snails, is such an exotic and unique dish that you should try on your next trip to Morocco.
The snails are cooked in a broth made with many spices and ingredients, where, in my experience, thyme, aniseed flavor, and a touch of licorice stand out, transforming the broth into something you’ve never tasted before.
While it’s true that winter is the best time to eat this dish, you can find it year-round in Moroccan city markets, for example, in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central square in Marrakech.
SFENJ– The best Moroccan food
Let’s move on to the sweet part of this blog.
Although Moroccan pastries have much to offer, I want to invite you to try something that, by its shape, you might already recognize.
I’m talking about the Maghreb doughnuts called Sfenj, a super fluffy and sweet snack that you can enjoy at any time of the day. You won’t have trouble finding them because, in many markets or nearby areas, there will be street vendors offering this delight at a very affordable price.
The best way to enjoy them is freshly made, dusted with sugar or drizzled with delicious Moroccan honey.
MILLE-FEUILLE– The best Moroccan food
Although it has a French origin, it’s one of the most beloved desserts among locals and couldn’t be left out of this post.
Trust me, you’ll see endless lines in front of the best bakeries in each city. As you can imagine, this treat is prepared daily by the expert hands of the country’s bakers, who layer delicious pastry cream between several layers of puff pastry, all finished with a white or dark sugar paste with added chocolate. It’s a true delight for sweet lovers.
If you see a line in front of a Moroccan bakery, don’t hesitate to join it; a delicious mille-feuille is waiting for you.
Conclusions
This is where your Moroccan (virtual) gastronomic journey at our blog ends. We hope the information we’ve provided has been useful for your future experience in this beautiful country located in North Africa.
Do you know other typical Moroccan dishes you’d like to share with us?
Do you want to learn more about Moroccan cuisine?
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