20 top Middle Eastern foods -- which is the best?

4. Foul meddamas

Nothing foul about this delicious repast.

Made of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon, this dish doesn't have the most appetizing of presentations -- blobby brown mush is about the best we can say of it. Taste and texture make up for it.

Where to try it: The Pavilion Downtown Dubai Cafe, Downtown, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 4 447 7025

5. Falafel

You may consider fried chickpeas with herbs as simply a great snack. Or tasty pita filler.

For Middle Easterners, however, the origins of falafel are a matter of patriotic interest.

The "New York TImes" has reported how the dish's provenance sparks fierce debates, but we're happy to sit on the sidelines and remain addicted to the taste.

Where to try it: Books@Cafe, First Circle Amman, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 465 0457

6. Tabouleh

Parsley as you've never had it before.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this magical combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes. But watch out, you just might be tempted to switch teams after a steady diet of this popular salad.

Where to try it: Cairo Restaurant, Al-Malek Talal Street, Amman, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 462 4527

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