<strong>Falafel: </strong>These deep-fried, meat-free balls have become a common international street food dish.
Falafel: These deep-fried, meat-free balls have become a common international street food dish.
joseph eid/getty/cnn
<strong>Hummus: </strong>Made from mashed chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, this is one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods -- and a topic for fierce regional rivalries.
Hummus: Made from mashed chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, this is one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods -- and a topic for fierce regional rivalries.
JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Manakeesh: </strong>A round bread sprinkled with either cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar) which is known as the pizza of the Arabic world.
Manakeesh: A round bread sprinkled with either cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar) which is known as the pizza of the Arabic world.
alpha/flickr/cnn
<strong>Grilled halloumi: </strong>The salty cheese from Cyprus has a high melting point, so it can be both grilled and fried.<br />
Grilled halloumi: The salty cheese from Cyprus has a high melting point, so it can be both grilled and fried.
Shutterstock
<strong>Foul meddamas: </strong>Egypt's national dish is a stew of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon.<br />
Foul meddamas: Egypt's national dish is a stew of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon.
alpha/flickr/cnn
<strong>Tabouleh:</strong> A tasty combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes traditionally served as part of a mezze.
Tabouleh: A tasty combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes traditionally served as part of a mezze.
Courtesy Abdullah AlBargan / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Moutabal/baba ganoush:</strong> These two Middle Eastern foods are often confused. While they are both made with eggplant, the main difference is that moutabal has tahini in it.
Moutabal/baba ganoush: These two Middle Eastern foods are often confused. While they are both made with eggplant, the main difference is that moutabal has tahini in it.
Courtesy stu_spivack / Flickr / Creative Commons
<strong>Fattoush</strong>: Lebanon's most well-known salad is made up of fresh vegetables and toasted pita bread.
Fattoush: Lebanon's most well-known salad is made up of fresh vegetables and toasted pita bread.
stu_spivak/flickr/cnn
<strong>Umm ali: </strong>Rumor has it this traditional Egyptian dessert was dreamed up by the first wife of Sultan Ezz al-Din Ayba to celebrate the death of her rival.
Umm ali: Rumor has it this traditional Egyptian dessert was dreamed up by the first wife of Sultan Ezz al-Din Ayba to celebrate the death of her rival.
tingzon/flickr/cnn
<strong>Shanklish: </strong>A type of cow or sheep's milk cheese which is usually formed into golf ball-sized bites before being covered in zaatar herbs or dried chilli flakes.
Shanklish: A type of cow or sheep's milk cheese which is usually formed into golf ball-sized bites before being covered in zaatar herbs or dried chilli flakes.
charles haynes/flickr/cnn
<strong>Shawarma:</strong> This wrap of tender shreds of skewered chicken, garlic puree and salad wrapped in pita have become a global post-session favorite.
Shawarma: This wrap of tender shreds of skewered chicken, garlic puree and salad wrapped in pita have become a global post-session favorite.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Shish tawook:</strong> This marinated chicken shish kebab of Turkish origin is now a common Middle Eastern barbecue dish.
Shish tawook: This marinated chicken shish kebab of Turkish origin is now a common Middle Eastern barbecue dish.
Courtesy stu_spivack / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Mansaf: </strong>Lamb slow-cooked in a yogurt sauce and sprinkled with almond and pine nuts -- Jordan's most famous dish.
Mansaf: Lamb slow-cooked in a yogurt sauce and sprinkled with almond and pine nuts -- Jordan's most famous dish.
sstrieu/flickr/cnn
<strong>Kofta: </strong>Balls of minced lamb or beef which can be fried, grilled, barbecued or baked.
Kofta: Balls of minced lamb or beef which can be fried, grilled, barbecued or baked.
Courtesy Jules / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Dolma: </strong>This dish consists of a vine leaf loaded with a filling of meat and rice. Its name means "to be stuffed" in Turkish.
Dolma: This dish consists of a vine leaf loaded with a filling of meat and rice. Its name means "to be stuffed" in Turkish.
Courtesy Lesya Dolyk / Flickr, Creative Commons
<strong>Baklava: </strong>While there's much debate over its origin, there's no question that baklava's sweet combinations of honey, nuts and filo pastry have endeared it to diners across the region and beyond.
Baklava: While there's much debate over its origin, there's no question that baklava's sweet combinations of honey, nuts and filo pastry have endeared it to diners across the region and beyond.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Knafeh: </strong>A delicious dessert made up of sugar-soaked cheese in a pastry crust.
Knafeh: A delicious dessert made up of sugar-soaked cheese in a pastry crust.
ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Iraqi masgouf: </strong> Grilled carp slow-cooked for up to three hours and served with lemon and pickles is considered by many to be the national dish of Iraq.
Iraqi masgouf: Grilled carp slow-cooked for up to three hours and served with lemon and pickles is considered by many to be the national dish of Iraq.
Courtesy J G / Flickr, Creative Commons