Food tourism in the provinces of Iran
Shiraz:
The city of Shiraz, in addition to its historical tourist attractions, also attracts tourists with its variety of traditional foods. Local Shirazi dishes such as Shirazi smoked chicken, Shirazi Tootooh, Shirazi Alu Polo, Shirazi Cabbage Polo, Shirazi Laye Polo, Ghormeh Be, Shirazi Kebab Polo, Doo Peyaze Alu, Ash-e Sabzi, Ab Peyazak, and Yakhni Nokhod are notable. Additionally, Masghati is one of the delicious and traditional Iranian desserts originating from the Lar County of Fars Province.
East Azerbaijan:
Tabriz city is also considered another destination for food tourism in Iran. Tabrizi meatballs, made from the freshest ingredients, are recognized as the most famous traditional food of this city. Other famous dishes of Tabriz include Bonab Kebab, Dolma Barg Mo, Hojreh stew, Kuku Lubia Sabz, Ash-e Abghooreh, Ash-e Omaaj, Doy Maaj, Gharani Yarikheh, Fruit Ash, Vorbehsi Korma, Sooti Polo, Shir Polo or Soot Polo, and more. Alongside lunch and dinner, Azaris use various jams such as orange peel, plum, fig, and balang as desserts.
Isfahan:
It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t traveled to Isfahan and tried Isfahan’s Biryani. This dish is one of Isfahan’s traditional and famous foods made with fresh lamb meat. In addition to Biryani, other famous dishes in Isfahan include Yekhme Tarsh, Mash Kebab, Koofteh Shooydeh Baghali-e-Tas Kabab, Koofteh Kashk, Dolma Barg-e-Mo Isfahani, Haleem Mash o Ghomari, Kaleh Joosh, Ash-e Sumac, Khoresh-e Nana Ja’fari, Khoresh-e Mast, Kachi Haft Dokhtar, and more. These dishes, as symbols of Isfahan’s culture and tradition, have turned the city into one of the food tourism destinations in Iran.
Khuzestan:
Khuzestan, the homeland of spicy and local foods, is one of the most popular food tourism destinations in Iran. This province is known as a place where local and spicy foods are famous. Some of the most important and famous dishes of this province include Ghalieh Mahi, Ghalieh Tokhme Morgh, Nafleh Khuzestani, Yapakureh or Pakura, Kebbeh Arabi, Amgosh, Ash-e Ardah-e-Khuzestani, Mahi Tanouri Saboori, Hamis-e-Tuleh, Ashkena Dezful, Shorba, Khuzestani Samosa, and more. Falafel is also a delicious and nutritious dish usually known as an Arab food and related to southern regions of Iran. Nowadays, this food is cooked as fast food in many urban centers in most cities of Iran and is served as a sandwich to enthusiasts.
Rasht:
The city of Rasht is known as one of the creative culinary cities, boasting over 220 types of local dishes, diversity in local cuisine and food products, and an emphasis on promoting health-oriented processes from farm to table. Among the reasons for registering this city as a creative culinary city are the use of seasonal ingredients, rich natural food resources seasoned with local culture.
Among the local and traditional dishes of Gilan province, which Rasht is affiliated with, we can mention dishes such as Mirza Qasemi, Kuleh, Alu Mosama, Sir Ghaliyeh, Anarbij, Baghala Khoresht, Tarsh Tareh, Baghala Ghatogh, Kooyi Tareh, Sirabij, Vavishka, Tarsh Ash, Pamador Ghatoq, and more.
Kermanshah:
With over 80 types of dishes and cuisines, 11 types of bread, 20 types of pastries, and its own snacks, Kermanshah was selected as one of the creative culinary cities in the world by UNESCO in 2021. This province is known for its cuisines such as Kermanshahi oil, rice bread, Kak, Khalal stew, Dande Kebab, Yaghi Abgoosht, Shalmin or Shalm Kermanshahi, Ash-e Abbasali. It is recognized as the 37th creative culinary city in the world and the 12th in Asia.
Ardabil:
Ardabil province, located in the northwest of Iran with a cold and mountainous climate, is considered one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. In this region, local foods mostly consist of various types of soups, but there are also diverse traditional foods such as Kaseh Kebab, Tareh Esfenaj, Soti Polo, Pichagh Gheymeh, and others. Additionally, various local pickles and salads such as green pepper salad are prepared in this province.
Azerbaijan- Turkey or “Ayranci” or “Doklu” in Kurdish, is one of the traditional and ancient Iranian dishes popular in Ardabil province and other regions including Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Kashan, Fars, Hamedan, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, and Qazvin with different preparations.
Pichagh Gheymeh or “Almond Khoresh” is a popular Iranian dish that is prepared with various recipes in different regions of the country.
Soti Polo or “Shir Polo” is one of the local rice dishes of Ardabil province, which is usually served with smoked fish, meat, dates, and raisins on the eve of Nowruz and Souri Thursday. In Turkish, “Soti” means milk.
Tehran:
Among the most delicious and tasty dishes of Tehran province, Ashe Sholeh Ghalamkar and Ashkenah Spinach have a special place. Also, dishes like Dampokhtak, Kaleh Gonjeshki, and Valk Polo (which is a local vegetable eaten and grown mainly in the foothills of Alborz and Shemiranat of Tehran province) are among the delicious dishes that have been and are still liked by many enthusiasts.
Gorgan:
Among the traditional foods of Golestan province, Asheh Sp with Anaar Tareh is known as one of the most important seasonings of this dish. Also, Kadoo Tareh (or Kheey Tareh) is one of the popular foods that locals use for Iftar during Ramadan to diversify their meals and is usually served with bread. Also, Bolameh (Bolamaq) is a kind of porridge similar to Haleem that is prepared and consumed in this region.
Zanjan:
In Zanjan province, Kufteh Berenji is one of the most delicious and popular dishes, the unique taste of which is due to the combination of various aromatic herbs and different types of rice. Also, Kaleh Joosh is a dish that is prepared in most parts of the country with different recipes. Bughda Ash (or Ash Gandom) is also a very delicious and popular food specific to Zanjan province. Also, Aluche Khoreh with chicken is one of the famous foods of this region. Also, Shesh Andaz is a special dish that people of this province prepare on the occasion of Souri Thursday.
Kurdistan:
In Kurdistan province, one of the famous local dishes is Ashe Se Negah Seer, which is usually prepared with meat and chicken and is commonly used in most blessed months of Ramadan. Also, Shish Kebab, which is a delicious and rice-based food, is very popular in this region and is especially common among the nomads and farmers of this region. Yakhaweh is also a Kurdish ceremonial food made from rice and bulgur. Also, Gheyrme, which is a local and vegetable dish, is among the famous Kurdish foods.
Ilam:
In Ilam province, Abgoosht is one of the authentic and popular Iranian foods that due to its nutritious ingredients and delicious taste, has many fans across the country. Abgoosht with Bamya is also one of the local and authentic foods of this region, which is especially popular in Ilam. Also, Kaphe Ilami, which is very similar to Kufteh, is another local food prepared and consumed in this region and is even used in Arab countries.
Qazvin:
In Qazvin province, Qeyme Aabadar or Dum Kebab is known as one of the local dishes. Anar Polo is also one of the most delicious types of rice in Iran, which is usually served for the celebration of Yalda night. Deymaje or Duyeemaje is a light snack that is served as an evening meal with seasonal fruits or tea. People of Qazvin consume this food as a traditional meal on various occasions such as the 14th night, Iftar, and breakfast.
Hamadan:
In Hamadan province, there are famous local dishes such as Asheh Hovij and Jow Hamadani, which are delicious and popular. Also, Ghureh Badamjan Hamadani, which is sour and tasty, and Ashkeneh Ghoroot, which is rich in calcium, are among the other famous dishes. Also, Yatimcheh Mashhadi or Neyshabouri, and Sholeh Mashhadi, which are usually used for votive offerings, are also famous.
Sistan and Baluchestan:
In Sistan and Baluchestan province, Biryani Polo is a delicious and ceremonial food that is very popular in southern provinces of the country like Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Khuzestan. Langoo or Mahi Abgoosht Sistani, Tabaahg, which is a delicious local food of Baluchis, and Pakoreh Baluchi (Pakora), which is a delicious snack, are among the other local foods. Amlet Sozi is also another local food of this province.
