Taste of A Culture, Top Persian Dishes In Paris

Ghormeh Sabzi is one of the most popular stews among Persian dishes. It consists of various types of green herbs, beans, vegetables and meats, and the mixture of omani lemon with aromatic herbs create the marvelous unique taste of this dish. According to different chefs’ preferences, the dish can be feature lamb or chicken and served with saffron rice and wine. If you are planning to go out for dinner and order a different dish, Shabestan is the best place to try Ghormeh Sabzi. The restaurant is located on Avenue de Versailles, very close to the Seine and Parc Saint Périne.

Mirza Ghassemi is an eggplant dip which originally comes from north of Iran. Although it is mostly served as an appetizer or a side dish, many people enjoy it as their main dish with pieces of pita bread, or saffron rice. It consists mainly of eggplant, smashed garlic, tomato and fried egg with tomato paste and olive oil topping. Mazeh located in the 15th , not far from Parc André Citroën, is one of the best places to try this tasty dish. The restaurant provides a cozy ambiance to sit there and enjoy your food or if the weather is good you can easily walk to the Seine and have your meal by the river.

Baghali Polo is one of those luxurious and classic dishes you should try at least once in your life. Rice ‘polo’ is delicately cooked with herbs, saffron, vegetables and chopped broad beans. Traditionally, this delicious dish is served with roasted lamb, but you may also enjoy it with other meats like chunks of chicken or turkey. In Paris, there are many restaurants which serve baghali polo but the chef at the gorgeous JetSet restaurant cooks up an authentic and tasty version. Located on rue Washington, very close to the Champs-Elysées, the restaurant has a very pleasant ambiance and provides oriental music as well.

Kebab is the most famous Persian dish in Iran and abroad. In order to achieve its authentic flavor, any type of kebab must be cooked on hot coal. Beef, lamb and chicken are the most common meats used; the meats are marinated, and then grilled on skewer over hot coal and served with powdered sumac, rice or bread. A lovely spot to enjoy this traditional dish is Chez Elham, as it specializes in kebabs. The restaurant is located in one of the most central neighborhoods in Paris, close to Châtelet and Centre Pompidou.

Fesenjan is a pomegranate flavored stew with a soft and tangy texture. There are many regional variations of the recipe but, traditionally, it consists of smashed walnut, meatballs and quince. The sour and sweet taste of the stew, enriched with fragrance of saffron rice, makes it one of the loveliest recipes among Persian dishes. Salad shirazi is an excellent accompaniment to the dish, featuring ingredients like cucumber, tomato, and onion, chopped as tiny as possible and mixed with olive oil, lemon or vinegar. Colbeh is one of the most affordable restaurants in Paris which offers a delicious Fesenjan with Salad Shirazi. The restaurant is located in tourist area of rue Mouffetard and Quartier Latin and you will enjoy exploring before or after your meal.

Baklava is called queen of the sweets as it is a very rich sweet pastry. Different regions make their own baklava, but the most stylish one is Baklava of Yazd. Layers of filo are filled with chopped nuts like pistachio or almond, and then covered with honey. Although many restaurants serve Baklava with tea or coffee as dessert, you can find the best one in bakeries. Look for Shirinkam in the covered Marché Saint Germain des Prés, near Odéon in the 6th, to find an authentic and delicious taste of baklava.

Baghala Ghatogh is a garlicky stew that originally comes from Northern provinces in Iran like Gilan and Mazandaran. It is an appetizing dish which consists mainly of fresh broad beans or lima beans, egg and dill. It can be served with rice or bread, depending on your preference. Try this dish in the cozy ambiance of Cheminée restaurant to enjoy its pure taste.

Zereshk polo simply consists of saffron rice, barberry and sliced pistachio, but its delicious taste stays with you for a long time. Not only does barberry give a distinctive sweet and sour flavor, but it also makes for a colorful dish. Zereshk polo is also served with marinated chicken, which is cooked separately and added to the rice after.

Sabzi Polo with Grilled Salmon is the special dish of Norouz, and Persian New Year which starts in the spring. The meal is simply herbed rice with grilled salmon but the rich fragrance of aromatic rice rounds out the flavours perfectly. Pickled vegetables and wine are the best accompaniment to this mouth watering meal.

Bereshtook is a grilled yellow-pea flour biscuit, flavored with cardamom, topped with ground pistachio and enjoyed with tea or coffee. The texture is usually very soft, and it melts in your mouth quickly. Bereshtook is one of the most popular sweets of Norouz, but many bakeries like Shirinkam make it through the year. Try it at Shirinkam with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a walk in the 6th.