9 Must-try Foods in Morocco

Morocco is a small country in North Africa that is known for its impressive diversity in every sense. Being home to the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, and the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, it provides a wide array of natural landscapes. On the other hand, it offers the perfect amalgamation of old and new, with plenty of bustling cosmopolitan cities and quaint historical towns. Over the years, this vibrant country has gained a huge reputation as a popular holiday destination, and now it attracts millions of tourists every year. Whether you are a beachgoer or a mountain lover, an art enthusiast or a history buff, Morocco is just the right place for you. Apart from all these things, the mouthwatering food you get in Morocco is also one of the major reasons why the country is so popular among tourists. With a wide array of dishes and their unique cooking style, the cuisine in Morocco is definitely one of the best ones in the world. Basically, it is a blend of Berber, Andalusian, and Mediterranean cuisines with hints of European and sub-Saharan influences.

Best Foods to Try in Morocco

There are a large number of restaurants in Morocco that serve delicious and flavorful Moroccan dishes. Given the wide variety of options available here, it can be a real struggle to try all of them on one trip.

Here is a list of some of the most famous foods in Morocco that you should definitely try:

• Couscous
• Shakshuka
• Taktouka
• Tagine
• Maakouda Batata
• Harira
• Bissara
• Krichlate
• Ghoriba

Couscous

Often referred to as the national dish of Morocco, couscous is one of the most widely consumed dishes in several other North African countries as well, including Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, and Libya. It consists of small pellets, which are made by sprinkling fine wheat semolina with water and then rolling it by hand into a proper shape.

The traditional preparation of couscous is a long, time-consuming process. These small pellets are left to dry in the sun for days before they are ready for consumption. To make the final dish, they are steamed until the desired amount of fluffiness is achieved. It is often cooked with vegetables, spices, and dried fruit. This traditional food of Morocco is usually served in a large earthenware bowl or plate with a meat or vegetable stew spooned on top.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a popular Mediterranean breakfast dish that is also popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. It is made of poached eggs added to a tangy sauce of fresh tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions. The best thing about this dish is the flavour that it gets from spices like ground coriander, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. This is a one-pan dish, and the cooking style can vary slightly. The traditional method requires poached eggs to be added to the sauce, but scrambled eggs can also be used. In some recipes, ingredients like preserved lemon, sheep milk cheese, olives, harissa, sausage, and minced lamb are also used to give it more flavour. Shakshuka is often served with crusty Moroccan bread so that you can dip it in the sauce and enjoy it.

Taktouka

Taktouka is another addition to the list of the most popular food items in Morocco. Somewhat similar to Shakshuka, it is a salad made with tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, olive oil, paprika, and fresh parsley. However, the main difference is that Taktouka is less saucy and has a milder flavour as compared to Shakshuka. Although it is a common breakfast dish, it can also be enjoyed as a side dish with grilled meat and bread.

Tagine

This is undoubtedly the most popular dish of Moroccan cuisine that you can find everywhere in the country. No matter if you are going to a posh restaurant or a street-side food stall, you will definitely find Tagine there. It is named after the conical clay pot the dish is cooked in. The original dish features a warm stew with a mix of tender meat, vegetables, and a blend of spices. Tagine is an important part of every authentic Moroccan meal and is best enjoyed when served with a slice of bread on the side.

Maakouda Batata

This is a popular street food in Morocco that you can find in almost every corner of the country. Originally, maakouda batata was an Algerian dish that became popular in Morocco and Tunisia over the years. This is a type of potato fritter made with mashed potatoes and sautéed onions. Garlic, cumin, and cilantro are a few other important ingredients used for this. You can either have them as they are or use them as sandwich fillers in wedges of Moroccan khobz. Or, they can also be enjoyed as an appetiser or a side dish.

Bissara

Bissara is another traditional North African soup that is very popular in Morocco. It is made with dried, split fava beans or split peas, which are simmered with garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, and olive oil. After this, they are puréed to achieve a smooth consistency. If the Bissara has a runny consistency, it is served as a soup, and if it is a bit thicker, you can have it as a dip with crusty Moroccan bread. If you are visiting the country during the winter season, this is one dish that you shouldn’t miss. A bowl of hot Bissara is one of the most comforting foods you can have when there is some chill in the air.

Krichlate

This is one of the most popular types of biscuits in Morocco. These tiny cookies are prepared with shortbread dough, to which aniseed and toasted sesame seeds are also added. Krichlates are usually served with a variety of dry fruits and nuts. They are an important part of several celebrations, including the Ashura festival. Other than this, they can also be enjoyed as an evening snack with coffee or tea.

Harira

Harira is another soupy dish that is an important part of Moroccan and Algerian cuisines. Although you can find Harira at any time of the year throughout the country, it becomes especially popular during the month of Ramadan. Like other popular dishes, the recipe for Harira can also vary, but the major ingredients remain the same. This zesty, tomato-based lentil and chickpea soup also consists of several herbs and spices. In some versions, the soup is flavoured with beef, lamb, or chicken, but you can also find a vegetarian version of the soup where rice or vermicelli are often added as fillers.

Ghoriba

These are traditional Middle Eastern cookies that are considered among the most popular desserts in Morocco. There are several versions of ghoriba, as some of them can be chewy while others are known for having a crumbly texture. If you are tired after a long day of sightseeing, just sit in a café where you can enjoy Ghoriba with a hot cup of coffee on the side.

Food is an irreplaceable part of any trip, so it is important that you find some authentic dishes from the place you are travelling to. With this comprehensive list of must-try Moroccan dishes, you can take your overall experience to another level. For a more hassle-free trip, choose from our extensive range of Morocco holiday packages and leave all the worries behind.